Paramedic Drug Facts: Albuterol

Albuterol

TRADE NAME: Proventil, Ventolin

CLASS: Sympathetic Agonist
DESCRIPTION: Sympathomimetic bronchodilator selective for β2 adrenergic receptors
ACTIONS: Selective direct acting β2 agonist
INDICATIONS: Bronchial asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, allergic bronchospasm,
or other reversible bronchospasm
PHARMACOKINETICS:

Onset: 5 – 15 minutes
Peak Effect: 1 – 1.5 hours
Duration: 3 – 6 hours
Half Life: < 3 hours
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Know hypersensitivity to Albuterol.
SIDE EFFECTS:

  • CNS: Tremor, anxiety, dizziness, seizure
  • CV: Headache, palpations, HTN, tachycardia, chest painResp: Bronchospasm (paradoxical effect)
  • GI/GU: Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth

DOSAGE For patients in emergency setting:
ADULT: Nebulizer: 2.5mg in 3cc normal saline or 5mg in 6cc normal saline via HHN over 5 – 15 min.
Repeat 10-20 min. prn, maximum 10mg/hr (4 treatments) MDI- 1-2 inhalations (90mcg each)
many repeat every 15 minutes prn.
PEDIATRIC: 0.15 mg/kg in 2.5-3.0 ml NS via HHN. Repeat prn.
ROUTES: Nebulizer, metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
PACKAGED: Premixed unit dose of 2.5mg in 2.5ml NS