Do you have asthma? Or do you sometimes have sudden, severe shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in your chest, or a whistling sound when you breathe? This condition is called bronchospasm. So today we are talking about a type of medication that doctors recommend to treat these types of respiratory conditions. That is Albuterol tablets.
What is this medicine called Albuterol? Simply put...
Think about the airways in our lungs. In conditions like asthma, these tubes become narrowed. Just as a water pipe becomes blocked, it becomes difficult for the water to flow through, when the airways become narrow, it becomes difficult for us to breathe.
So what these Albuterol tablets do is they dilate aka open up the airways in the lungs. Then air starts to flow into the lungs more easily, and the difficulty in breathing decreases.
The important thing is that this medicine is usually used as a long-term treatment to control symptoms. These pills do not work for an acute asthma attack. There are separate short-acting inhalers for that.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before using Albuterol tablets, it is very important to tell your doctor about your health history, especially if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Condition/Occasion | Why should you inform the doctor? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | This medicine may cause slight changes in blood sugar levels. |
| Heart disease | Albuterol may cause a slight increase in heart rate. |
| High blood pressure | Because it can affect blood pressure. |
| Irregular heartbeat | The doctor should be aware that the current condition may worsen. |
| Thyroid disease | Thyroid hormone levels may be affected. |
| Epilepsy / Seizures | This medicine may worsen the condition. |
| Pheochromocytoma | This is a rare type of tumor that develops in the adrenal glands. This medication can cause high blood pressure. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | Tell your doctor if you are allergic to albuterol, sulfites, or anything else. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | To consider the possible effects on the baby. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | To consider whether the medicine passes to the baby through breast milk. |
How should I use these pills?
- Follow your doctor's instructions: Take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to, in the correct dosage and at the correct time.
- With or without food: This pill can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset or heartburn, it is best to take it with food.
- Continue to use: Continue to use this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop suddenly.
- For children: Children may need special care when taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about this.
What if I take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice, if necessary.
What if I miss a dose? (Missed dose)
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with Albuterol
When taking this medication, it is very important to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking, as some medications can interact with it, changing how the medication works or increasing side effects.
Therefore, tell your doctor about all the prescription medications you take, over-the-counter medications you buy from the pharmacy, vitamins, herbal products, alcohol, and cigarettes you use.
To give a few examples:
- Caffeine-containing drinks and medications
- Some medicines to take for colds
- Medications for depression or other mental illnesses
- Some medications and herbal products to take to lose weight
- Diuretics, or medications that remove water from the body
- Some medications for heart disease
- Types of Steroid Hormones
- Some types of antibiotics
- Thyroid hormones
Things to be careful about when using the medicine
1. Regular Check-ups: Visit the clinic or doctor on scheduled days to check your condition. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, report it.
2. Be prepared for emergencies: Talk to your doctor about what to do in the event of an acute asthma attack or difficulty breathing and develop an 'Asthma Action Plan'. It is essential to keep a short-acting 'reliever' inhaler with you at all times . If your symptoms do not improve even after using your inhaler, seek medical advice immediately.
3. Be careful with other medications: Ask your doctor before taking any self-medication for coughs, colds, or allergies, as some of these medications may interact with Albuterol.
4. Dry mouth: This medication may cause dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on a candy bar, and drinking plenty of water can help. However, if this problem persists or is severe, tell your doctor.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, Albuterol can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, some are not so serious.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Increased blood pressure | Symptoms of high blood pressure. |
| Muscle pain or limping | Muscle twitching or pain for no reason. |
| Increasing difficulty breathing | If you experience increased difficulty breathing or wheezing after taking the medicine. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Change in taste in the mouth | Dry mouth, headache, sore throat. |
| Tremors | Tremors in limbs. |
| Insomnia | Difficulty falling asleep at night. |
Take-Home Message
- Albuterol tablets are a medication used to control conditions such as asthma over the long term . They are not a 'rescue' medication used for an acute asthma attack.
- Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all other medical conditions you have and all other medicines you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products).
- Always keep a short-acting 'reliever' inhaler with you.
- If you experience an unusually fast heartbeat, chest pain, or increased difficulty breathing after taking the medication, seek medical advice immediately.
- Feel free to talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.
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