Generic Ventolin
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Generic Ventolin (also known as albuterol or salbutamol) is a potent anti-asthma medication, used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in diseases of the bronchi and lungs, which are accompanied by the bronchospastic syndrome.
How does it work?
Albuterol is a short-acting beta 2 agonist. It works by stimulating receptors in the lungs called beta 2 receptors. This causes the muscles in the airways to relax and allows the airways to open. As a result, it becomes easier to breathe. The duration of action is approximately 3-8 hours.
Indications
- Prevention and relief of asthma attacks (including as part of complex treatment of asthmatic status);
- Treatment of the obstructive state of the bronchi, not amenable to traditional bronchodilator therapy (including in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
How to use Generic Ventolin?
The drug is designed for use in children over the age of 2 years and in adults. Patients who find it difficult to do inhalation should use a spacer.
Adults
- Relief of bronchospasm: 100-200 mg (one or two inhalations);
- Prevention of bronchospasm attacks that are associated with physical exertion or exposure to an allergen: 200 mg (two inhalations) 10-15 minutes before the action of the provoking factor;
- Long-term maintenance therapy: up to 200 mg (two inhalations) up to 4 times a day.
Children
- Stopping an attack of bronchospasm: 100 or 200 mg (one or two inhalations);
- Prevention of bronchospasm attacks that are associated with physical exertion or exposure to an allergen: 100 to 200 mg (one to two inhalations) 10-15 minutes before the action of the provoking factor;
- Long-term maintenance therapy: up to 200 mg (two inhalations) up to 4 times a day.
Side effects
- CNS: headache, muscle tremor, muscle cramps, excitement and increased motor activity (in children);
- Cardiovascular system: peripheral vasodilation and a slight compensatory increase in heart rate, tachycardia. heart rhythm disturbances (in predisposed patients);
- Water-electrolyte balance: hypokalemia;
- Allergic reactions: angioedema, urticaria, bronchospasm, hypotension, collapse;
- Respiratory system: paradoxical bronchospasm, irritation of the oral mucosa and pharynx.
Contraindications
Generic Ventolin is prohibited for use in the following cases:
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- age under 2 years;
- increased sensitivity to albuterol;
- heart failure.
In addition, there are a number of diseases in the presence of which the bronchodilator should be used with extreme caution:
- glaucoma;
- impaired renal function;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- coronary heart disease;
- liver failure;
- epilepsy;
- heart disease;
- diabetes mellitus;
- aortic stenosis;
- myocarditis.
Pregnancy and lactation
During pregnancy, Generic Ventolin is prescribed only in cases where the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the fetus. Albuterol may be excreted in breast milk, so the drug is not recommended for use during lactation unless the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the baby. It is not known whether albuterol present in breast milk has any negative effect on the newborn.
Special instructions
Generic Ventolin should be used with caution in patients who have already received other sympathomimetics in high doses, as well as with thyrotoxicosis. Bronchodilators should not be used as monotherapy and the main component of the combination therapy of unstable or severe bronchial asthma. When albuterol is used in very high doses, side effects may develop, therefore, only a doctor can decide whether to increase the dose or frequency of therapy.
The increased need for short duration beta2-adrenoreceptor agonists to control the symptoms of bronchial asthma indicates a worsening of the course of the disease. In such cases, the patient’s treatment plan should be reviewed. A sudden and progressive deterioration in the course of bronchial asthma can pose a threat to the patient’s life. If you experience paradoxical bronchospasm after using the drug, you should immediately stop using it and contact a doctor. Paradoxical bronchospasm must be immediately stopped with another dosage form of albuterol or another fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator.
The use of beta2-adrenergic agonists can lead to hypokalemia. Particular caution is recommended in the treatment of severe attacks of bronchial asthma since in these cases hypokalemia may increase as a result of the simultaneous use of xanthine derivatives, corticosteroids, diuretics, and also due to hypoxia. In such situations, it is necessary to control the level of potassium in the blood serum. Like other beta-adrenergic agonists, albuterol can cause reversible metabolic changes, such as an increase in blood glucose concentration. Patients with diabetes can experience decompensation and, in some cases, ketoacidosis. Isolated cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma have been noted in patients receiving a combination of albuterol and ipratropium bromide. Given this fact, caution should be exercised while using albuterol and anticholinergics.
It is not recommended to combine the use of albuterol and non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, such as propranolol. Albuterol is not contraindicated in patients who have received MAO inhibitors.
Generic Ventolin can be used with a nebulizer. Since many nebulizers operate only in the presence of a constant flow of air, it is possible that the sprayed product will enter the environment. Given this, the drug should be used in well-ventilated areas. This recommendation should be especially strictly observed in hospitals where several patients can use nebulizers at the same time. Patients should receive information on the proper use of a nebulizer. Do not allow the inhalation solution to get into the eyes.
The clinical efficacy and safety of albuterol in children under the age of 2 years have not been established. Since transient hypoxemia may develop in this category of patients, oxygen therapy should be considered.