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INHALED BRONCHODILATORS - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
TYPE:
Short-acting: Salbutamol, Airomir‚ Ventolin‚ Respolin‚
Terbutaline, Bricanyl
Long-acting: Salmeterol, Serevent‚ Eformoterol, Foradil‚
Oxis Turbuhaler
USE: Asthma relief (also reversible airways obstruction
and premature labour)
Inhaled bronchodilators (beta2-adrenoreceptor stimulants)
work by acting on the bronchial smooth muscle. Thus allowing
the airways to relax on a needed basis during a bout of
asthma by relieving shortness of breath, tightness of chest
and wheeze.
There are THREE main types of devices used to deliver these
medicines:
1. Metered dose inhaler
2. Autohalers
3. Nebuliser solutions
Cautions:
Hyperthyroidism
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Pregnancy and breastfeeding (discus with doctor)
Diabetics (monitor blood pressure)
Side effects:
Muscle tremor
Hyperactivity
Anxiety
Headache
Difficulty sleeping
Palpitations (heart thumping)
Overdose: May result in chest pain, high blood pressure,
headache, muscle tremor and cramps. Consult doctor or seek
emergency medical treatment if severe overdose occurs.
Interactions:
Salbutamol (Ventolin) and beta-blocking agents (sotalol,
anselol, selectol) should not be prescribed together.
High doses of salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol and
eformoterol with corticosteroids, diuretics and theophylline
can cause low potassium levels. Blood potassium levels should
be monitored in severe asthma.
Patient information:
Follow the instructions on the label of the medicine or
as directed by your doctor
Used only to treat acute asthma where it does not treat
underlying inflammation of the airways.
Check inhaler technique is correct to make sure delivery
of drug is maximised
If your symptoms do not respond promptly to these medications,you
may have more severe asthma and should seek prompt medical
assessment.
Reduced response to these medications, or increased regular
usage,usually means your asthma is not being well controlled,
and a preventer - inhaled steroid or cromoglycate (intal)
- should be considered.
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