Medicines for the treatment of bronchial asthma are often produced in aerosol form. This type of drug is most convenient to use. The active ingredients quickly get to the right place and produce the desired effect. Due to this, it is possible to relieve an asthmatic attack and achieve improvement.
Many patients use the Salbutamol asthma inhaler . This medicine contains an active ingredient of the same name. Its main task is to restore airway patency, which helps relieve an attack. This is a potent remedy, so you can only use it as directed by your doctor. You also need to know the rules for its application.
pharmachologic effect
The substance salbutamol has a bronchodilatory and tocolytic effect. That is why it is used to improve the condition of the bronchi in bronchial asthma. It is also prescribed for the treatment of other respiratory diseases.
When taken, bronchospastic syndrome is eliminated. This is achieved by acting on smooth muscles. Under the influence of salbutamol, it relaxes, which provides an increase in the lumen in the bronchi. Also, this substance helps to increase the vital capacity of the lungs. Under its influence, the histamine release process slows down.
These features make the drug effective in asthma. Its reception provides not only the elimination of bronchospasm, but also the weakening of the reaction of the respiratory system to the stimulus.
Under the influence of salbutamol , the coronary arteries of the heart expand, the reactivity of the bronchi is suppressed, and the resistance in the respiratory tract decreases. Sputum is removed from the respiratory tract and mucus production is reduced.
The drug does not cause a decrease in pressure and does not have an unduly traumatic effect on the heart, unlike other drugs with similar properties.
Salbutamol in the form of an aerosol begins to act a few minutes after application. The maximum effectiveness from taking the drug is achieved in about 30 minutes and lasts for another hour.
Only a small part of the active ingredient enters the respiratory tract. It is absorbed in the lungs, after which the substance enters the bloodstream.
The main part of the dose is deposited in the oropharynx and is swallowed. The substance is absorbed in the digestive tract. Metabolism with the formation of inactive products is carried out in the liver. Excretion occurs through the kidneys along with urine.
Indications for use
Taking Salbutamol unnecessarily can lead to adverse consequences, therefore, it is permissible to use the agent only as directed by a doctor.
The main conditions for which you should use the inhaler are:
- Obstructive syndrome. The drug is necessary for short-term expansion of the bronchi and getting rid of shortness of breath.
- Allergic asthma. Thanks to the tool, it is possible to eliminate bronchospasm and weaken the body’s response to an irritant.
- Chronic bronchitis. In chronic bronchitis, an inflammatory process in the airways is observed, which leads to the formation of mucus. The use of Salbutamol helps to remove it and expand the lumen in the bronchi.
- Asthmatic bronchitis. The medicine helps to get rid of suffocation and reduces the reaction to stimuli.
- Emphysema of the lungs. Salbutamol is able to increase the vital capacity of the organ, which facilitates the breathing process.
For children, this remedy is recommended to combat broncho-obstructive syndrome.
But the main indication for the use of Salbutamol is bronchial asthma. It is very often used in combination with glucocorticosteroids .
The drug can be used prophylactically. It helps prevent attacks of suffocation caused by narrowing of the lumen in the bronchi.
Application rules
Salbutamol comes in several forms. One of them is aerosol. You need to know how to properly apply it. To do this, you should study the instructions, or even better ask the doctor about this, since the schedule of use may vary depending on individual characteristics.
Aerosol for inhalation is intended to eliminate asthma attacks and to suppress bronchospastic syndrome.
For adult patients, a dosage of 0.1-0.2 mg is recommended. For a child, a dose of 0.1 mg is considered sufficient. The frequency of use is determined individually. This is influenced by the characteristics of the clinical picture, diagnosis and individual properties of the organism. The maximum allowable amount of the drug is 0.8 mg per day.
Salbutamol is permitted for prophylactic purposes. The principle is to apply the remedy before an attack occurs. This is usually done before performing vigorous physical activities, which often cause exacerbation of asthma.
Order of use
When using an inhaler, you need to know not only the correct dosage, but also the specifics of use. Then the effectiveness of the drug will be higher. The rules are as follows:
- Before using the inhaler, you must make sure that it works. This is especially important in cases where the device has not been used for some time.
- It is required to remove the cap from the inhaler and inspect the mouthpiece. It should be free of dust and dirt.
- Place the canister vertically, placing your index finger on the top of the canister, and the big one under the bottom. In this position, shake the device several times.
- Then it is supposed to exhale.
- Lips squeeze the mouthpiece of the inhaler. While continuing to hold it, you need to inhale slowly. At the very beginning of inhalation, the inhaler valve is pressed and a dose of the drug is released into the oral cavity.
- Having fully inhaled, remove the mouthpiece from the mouth and hold your breath for a few seconds. Then you can exhale with your nose.
- If you need to take another dose of the medicine, you should wait about a minute and repeat all the steps from the beginning (except for the first two).
- After use, the inhaler must be tightly closed with a cap.
There is no rush to administer the medicine. Air should enter the bronchi slowly – this will achieve the maximum effectiveness of the drug. Patients who are just starting to use the inhaler need preliminary training.
Steam should not escape from the balloon during inhalation. If this happens, you need to start over.
The inhaler should be cleaned at least once a week. To do this, you need to remove the can from the case. The cap and case are washed with warm water and left to dry. You cannot dry them using heating devices. Then the can is returned to its place and tightly closed with a cap. You do not need to wash the spray can.
Side effects and contraindications
Side effects when using Salbutamol in the form of inhalation do not occur. They may appear when the daily dose is exceeded or if the patient is oversensitive. In this case, you may observe:
- decrease in pressure;
- trembling of fingers and hands;
- dizziness;
- increased irritability;
- convulsions;
- increased heart rate;
- headache;
- angioneurotic edema;
- hives;
- redness of the skin of the face;
- chest pain;
- anxiety;
- insomnia;
- rhinitis;
- bouts of nausea.
In children, arrhythmia, excessive excitability, hyperactivity, irritability, and sleep disturbances are noted.
Contraindications
The likelihood of side effects with this drug is minimal if you follow the instructions. Very often, negative reactions to Salbutamol appear due to contraindications that have not been identified. These include:
- heart disease;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- myocarditis;
- Ischemic heart disease;
- glaucoma;
- decompensated diabetes mellitus;
- seizures of epilepsy;
- liver failure;
- aortic stenosis;
- pyloroduodenal narrowing;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- renal failure;
- intolerance to active substances.
There are also conditions in which the drug is prescribed with caution. It:
- pheochromocytoma;
- hypertension;
- hyperthyroidism;
- heart failure.
Salbutamol must not be used in conjunction with non-selective beta-blockers, since in this case complications are possible. The drug in the form of inhalation is not prescribed for children under the age of 2 years, as well as for pregnant women.
special instructions
To take Salbutamol to eliminate suffocation during an attack of bronchial asthma is supposed only according to the instructions. If it is violated, complications can occur, including death.
You need to be especially careful about the dosage. It is unacceptable to increase it without a doctor’s prescription or increase the number of doses of the drug. It is allowed to reduce the intervals between inhalations only if necessary.
Frequent use of the drug can cause the development of the opposite effect – to provoke an increase in bronchospasm, which can cause the death of the patient. The interval between inhalations should be at least 3 hours. If it becomes necessary to use the inhaler more often, this indicates an exacerbation of the disease. It is necessary to inform the doctor about this, and only he must decide on further actions.
Taking the drug can cause hypokalemia . Therefore, patients with severe asthma who use Salbutamol on an ongoing basis should frequently check their blood potassium levels.
The likelihood of developing hypokalemia increases under the influence of hypoxia or when taking diuretics and xanthine derivatives together with Salbutamol .
The medication balloon requires careful handling. It cannot be taken apart or punctured. It also needs to be kept away from fire. It is advisable to prevent hypothermia, as this reduces the effectiveness of the drug. If this happens, then the cylinder must be removed from the plastic case and held in your hands for several minutes to warm it up.
Interaction with other drugs
Simultaneous administration of Salbutamol with other drugs is not prohibited, but the patient must inform the doctor about all drugs taken. Caution is required when using the following products:
- antidepressants;
- MAO inhibitors;
- central nervous system stimulants;
- antihypertensive drugs;
- cardiac glycosides;
- anticholinergics;
- hormonal drugs;
- diuretics, etc.
Some of them can enhance or weaken the effect of the agent in question, therefore, dose adjustment may be required. There are also medications that cannot be used with Salbutamol .
Detailed studies on the effect of Salbutamol on the course of pregnancy and fetal development have not been conducted. Therefore, it is undesirable for pregnant women to use this remedy. Doctors prescribe it only when urgently needed. Also, you should not use the drug for lactating women.
Ethanol is one of the components of the drug. This can affect the patient’s ability to concentrate. Therefore, with its frequent use, sometimes difficulties arise in performing actions requiring attention and quick psychomotor reactions. Drinking alcohol while treating with Salbutamol is undesirable.
Professional athletes are prohibited from using Salbutamol . This is due to the ability of the agent to increase the body’s endurance, which gives the athlete additional benefits.
Salbutamol is intended for the relief of acute asthma attacks. He can also prevent their occurrence, which makes it possible to use it for prevention. But this remedy is not considered as the main method of AD treatment. The disease requires a complex effect, so the drug is usually prescribed in combination with other drugs.
Finally
Salbutamol belongs to the drugs used to combat AD. It comes in several forms, but aerosol is the most convenient for use. In this form, the particles of the drug quickly penetrate the respiratory tract and have the necessary effect, eliminating the symptoms of pathology.
Salbutamol is not suitable for every asthma patient , since the drug has contraindications. Because of them, the medicine can cause a worsening of the condition and even death of the patient. That is why the drug is not sold without a doctor’s prescription and requires caution when used.