How do you want your Albuterol be delivered? Choose here!

What Is An Asthma Attack And How Can An Albuterol Inhaler Help?

admin — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:50:45 +0000

An Albuterol Inhaler is typically used in the event of asthma attack. Bronchospasm occurs during an asthma attack which causes difficulty in breathing and can be mild or severe. In normal or non-asthmatic condition, air travels into and out of our lungs through a network of airways (bronchial tubes) easily. The airways are relaxed and the tissues are thin.
During an asthma attack or asthmatic condition, muscles around the airways (bronchial tubes) tighten and thicken and the air passages become inflamed and mucus-filled. This makes it difficult for air to flow through which causes difficulty in breathing.
What Causes Asthma Attack?
Asthma attack can be triggered by environmental or physical factors. Environmental factors could be due to inhaling of cigarette smoke, strong chemical odors or spray cleansers. Physical factors could be due to colds or flu, or excessive exercise or under-stress.
An Albuterol Inhaler is fundamentally a medical device. It contains Albuterol inside a metal canister and releases the drug when operated, by means of Metered-Dose Inhaler. It is typically used during a severe asthma attack.
Note: Albuterol is a type of medicine (also known as bronchodilator) which provides quick relief to asthma-related symptoms like shortness of breathe, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing. It is part of a class of asthma drugs known as beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short.
What Is Albuterol Inhaler Used For :
An Albuterol Inhaler is primarily used to relieve asthma or chronic bronchitis symptoms, or to prevent the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma. It can only be used by adults or children whom are at least 12 years old and above.
How It Works :
When operated, the MDI (Metered-Dosed Inhaler) transforms liquid Albuterol into a fine mist, which will then be inhaled through the patient’s mouth (also known as a puff) or sometimes using an additional device called spacer. Albuterol is a drug then will then relax the smooth muscles of the airways from the trachea all the way down to the smallest airways.
Other Information :
Each puff of Albuterol contains 90 micrograms of medicine. 2 puffs are needed as a usual dose to relieve asthma and can be repeated every 4 to 6 hours. For exercise-induced asthma, it is recommended to use it 15 to 30 minutes before any physical activity.
An Albuterol Inhaler comes in 2 types of inhalers, CFC-Free Inhaler and HFA-Type Inhaler.

Drug Store News - Teva Pharmaceuticals

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:21:22 +0000

Supplier News — The Food and Drug Administration has granted final approval to Teva Pharmaceuticals for its application for a generic version of Dey’s drug, DuoNeb.
DuoNeb is a bronchodilator that increases airflow by dilating the bronchi and bronchioles. The generic albuterol sulfate and ipratropium bromide inhalation solution will be available in 3 mg (0.083 percent) and 0.5 mg (0.017 percent).

Related Results

Levalbuterol No More Efficacious Than Racemic Albuterol in Treatment of…Albuterol sulfateAlbuterol advisoryLevalbuterol beat albuterol on hyperactivityNew generic albuterol medication

The branded product had annual sales of approximately $265 million in the United States for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2007, based on IMS sales data. The company will begin shipping the product immediately.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Pediatric News - Albuterol therapy lied to myocardial injury, hypotension: nebulization for asthma attack can harm

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:16:15 +0000

HONOLULU — Myocardial injury was detected in nearly half of 50 children undergoing more than 2 hours of albuterol nebulization for acute asthma attacks in a study presented at the joint meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies and the Asian Society for Pediatric Research.
Fully two-thirds of the children evaluated at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh experienced diastolic hypotension following more than 2 hours of continuous albuterol nebulization, reported Dr. Daniel Fagbuyi, a fellow in pediatric emergency medicine.
Albuterol is a sympathomiic agent with beta-1 and beta-2 effects, said Dr. Fagbuyi.

Related Results

Levalbuterol No More Efficacious Than Racemic Albuterol in Treatment of…Albuterol sulfateAlbuterol advisoryLevalbuterol beat albuterol on hyperactivityNew generic albuterol medication

The beta-2 effects result in vasodilation and bronchodilation, and can reduce mean arterial pressures. The beta-1 effects result in tachycardia, which can reduce diastolic time.
“These combined effects result in a decrease in coronary perfusion and an increase in oxygen consumption,” conceivably leading to myocardial injury as evidenced by elevated serum cardiac troponin or EKG S-T segment change, explained Dr. Fagbuyi.
Known side effects of nebulized albuterol include tachycardia, palpitations, chest pain, tremors, jitteriness, and gastrointestinal problems. Diastolic hypotension has been observed in children who receive continuous albuterol nebulization, and case reports have suggested that myocardial injury can result from undergoing continuous albuterol nebulization as evidenced by increases in creatine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) or EKG S-T segment changes. Dr. Fagbuyi and associates sought to determine the incidence of those potential effects in a prospective study.
In all, 50 children with no history of cardiac disease were enrolled in the study. Patients were included following presentation to the emergency department or admission to the intensive care unit with acute asthma symptoms, and were treated with more than 2 hours of continuous albuterol nebulization (10-15 mg/hour).
Vital signs were measured at baseline and every hour. Serum troponin levels and EKG tracings were obtained every 12 hours. Diastolic hypotension was defined as a reading less than the fifth percentile for age, and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of at least 20% from baseline.
Elevated serum troponin (Tn-1 greater than 0.10 ng/ mL) or an S-T segment change on EKG were considered evidence of myocardial injury, Dr. Fagbuyi explained, because troponin-I is a specific and sensitive marker of injury to the heart muscle cells.
In all, 30 boys and 20 girls (aged 2-17 years) were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 8 years. Most patients (28) were white, 20 patients were black, and 2 patients represented other racial/ethnic groups.
The mean cumulative albuterol dose, including medication administered at home or during transport to the hospital, was 1.76 mg/kg.
A total of 15 of the 50 children (30%) experienced an S-T segment change during albuterol administration. Troponin elevations were seen in 12 of 50 (24%) children, and 4 patients (8%) had both indicators of myocardial injury. In all, 23 of 50 children (46%) had EKG or biochemical evidence of myocardial injury.. Diastolic hypotension occurred in 33 of 50 patients (66%).
Although Dr. Fagbuyi and his associates had hypothesized that the two phenomena-myocardial injury and diastolic hypotension–were related, they were not. A total of 16 children experienced both events, but that number was not statistically significant.
The team speculated that myocardial injury may be due to excessive stimulation of beta receptors, perhaps in combination with genetic predisposition to myocardial injury associated with that mechanism.
“We recommend that children receiving continuous albuterol nebulization (10- 15 mg/hour or more) for more than 2 hours be closely monitored for evidence of myocardial injury and diastolic hypotension,” Dr. Fagbuyi said during his oral presentation.
In response to questions from the audience, he acknowledged that much thought went into using the term “myocardial injury” to describe the effect of elevated S-T segments or troponin elevations.
“We expected that scientists would question whether our measurements reflected true myocardial injury, but our data clearly show that caution is appropriate when using continuous nebulized albuterol,” Dr. Fagbuyi said.
A careful review of the literature contains sufficient evidence that those markers correlated with actual myocardial injury, even in children, he asserted.
The clinical relevance of the findings and their potential contributions to long-term sequelae remain under study in the pediatric population, he said.
Neither Dr. Fagbuyi nor the members of his team reported any financial disclosures relevant to the study.
At the University of Pittsburgh, future research will be aimed at the practical consequences of myocardial injury and diastolic hypotension in children receiving continuous albuterol during treatment for acute asthma exacerbations.
Albuterol for nebulization is manufactured by numerous companies under various trade names. Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, which makes Proventil, but no longer markets it for nebulizer treatment in the United States, declined to comment about the study’s conclusions.

FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine - New generic albuterol medication

admin — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 09:16:03 +0000

Nephron Pharmaceuticals introduces the first and only FDA approved generic version of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, 0.042% individually foil wrapped and bar coded. Therapists or patients no longer have the exhausting task of using multi-dose bottles to measure pediatric dose strengths. Tired of paying the brand name price? Then look to the leader in innovative packaging and safe respiratory medications, Nephron Pharmaceuticals. Each vial contains 1.50 mg of albuterol sulfate (equivalent to 1.25 mg albuterol). Preservative & Additive Free. Rated AN in the Orange Book. Sterile PREDILUTED with normal saline. Call us at 800-443-4313 or visit www.nephronpharm.com. Circle Action Card # 101 * AARC Booth 1039

Related Results

Levalbuterol No More Efficacious Than Racemic Albuterol in Treatment of…Albuterol sulfateAlbuterol advisoryLevalbuterol beat albuterol on hyperactivityNew generic albuterol medication

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
COPYRIGHT 2006 Focus Publications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Internal Medicine News - Levalbuterol does not top albuterol in treating COPD

admin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:34:50 +0000

SAN DIEGO — Levalbuterol was no more effective than albuterol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a single-dose comparison trial.
Nor was the combination of ipratropium and albuterol more effective at increasing forced expiratory volume in 1 second ([FEV.sub.1]) than albuterol alone. The bronchodilator effect of the combination did last somewhat longer, but not beyond 3-4 hours, Dr. Debapriya Datta said at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians.
He studied 30 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with an [FEV.sub.1] less than 70% of predicted; on each of four occasions, they used albuterol (2.3 mg), 1evalbuterol (1.25 mg), ipratropium and albuterol (0.5 mg and 2.3 mg), or placebo. He then took serial measurements of [FEV.sub.1].

Related Results

Levalbuterol No More Efficacious Than Racemic Albuterol in Treatment of…Albuterol sulfateAlbuterol advisoryLevalbuterol beat albuterol on hyperactivityNew generic albuterol medication

Prior to the study all patients were using a short-acting 3-agonist, and most were using a long-acting 3-agonist, said Dr. Datta of the department of pulmonary and critical care medicine, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Conn.
At 0.5 hour after use, the mean improvement in [FEV.sub.1] was 0.2 L with albuterol, 0.18 L with levalbuterol, 0.2 L with the combination, and 0.07 L with placebo. The mean baseline [FEV.sub.1] for the patients was 1.15 L.
At 3 hours, only the combination was still producing a statistically significantly improvement, compared with placebo. The mean improvement in [FEV.sub.1] was 0.12 L with albuterol, 0.11 L with levalbuterol, 0.18 L with the combination, and 0.05 L with placebo.
By 4 hours none of the drugs had an effect that was significantly different from that of placebo. In fact, the rapid drop-off in effect may indicate that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients experience some tachyphylaxis from regular [beta]-agonist use, Dr. Datta said.
COPYRIGHT 2003 International Medical News Group
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Internal Medicine News - Albuterol advisory

admin — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:04:14 +0000

Two recent outbreaks of lower respiratory tract colonization and infection with Burkholderia cepacia prompted a public health advisory from the Food and Drug Administration.
The outbreaks, like several others reported in the literature, were attributed to contamination of multidose bottles of albuterol sulfate; in most cases, they occurred in the hospital intensive-care setting among patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The advisory calls for adherence to good, aseptic technique on the part of those administering the medication.

Related Results

Levalbuterol No More Efficacious Than Racemic Albuterol in Treatment of…Albuterol sulfateLevalbuterol beat albuterol on hyperactivityNew generic albuterol medicationNew generic albuterol medication

Contact should be avoided between the dropper tip and any surface, such as the nebulizer reservoir or associated ventilatory equipment. See the product label and read the “Patient’s Instructions for Use” pamphlet provided with the product, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research advised.
COPYRIGHT 2002 International Medical News Group
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Ten Tips for Winter Sports with Asthma

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:52:28 +0000

Cold air is dry air. Exercising in dry air causes bronchospasm (EIB). Everyone with asthma gets EIB if they exercise strenuously in cold weather. However, if your asthma is well-controlled and you prepare for the trip, skiing or snow-boarding is lots of fun. Here are some tips if you are planning to participate in winter sports:Be sure to get a flu shot (since airplane travel increases your risk of getting the flu).Ask for a prescription of two weeks of Tamiflu, which can prevent influenza and reduce its severity and duration if you get the flu. Fill the prescription and take the pills with you. (Details here) Get a written asthma action plan from your doctor. Consider also taking your peak flow meter or PiKo1 to monitor your lung function. Ask your doctor for a prescription for 7 days of prednisone (perhaps fifteen 20mg pills) to take with you in case you fall into the red zone. Finding a doctor quickly and inexpensively at a ski resort is not easy.If you walk into a hotel room and it smells musty or smoky, ask for a different room. Take an allergen cover for your pillow. If you will be exercising in the snow (like skiing or snowboarding), take a mask which will conserve the moisture that you exhale. At least wrap a scarf over your nose and mouth whenever possible. Premedicate to prevent EIB.Be sure to faithfully take your asthma controller medications during the week prior to the trip and throughout the trip. Take an extra albuterol MDI. Avoid folks with colds and coughs. Don’t use the fireplace in the condo. Run the exhaust fan when showering or cooking.Eat well (good nutrition) and drink plenty of water (to avoid dehydration). Have fun!Related Topics: The Asthma-Ozone Link, Treating Asthma: Personalized MedicineTechnorati Tags: asthma, skiing, snowboarding, EIB, asthma action plan

Aceon Tablet Medication Information

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:53:17 +0000

Aceon also improves the flow of blood through the circulatory system. Aceon does not cure blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

How to Take Aceon

Take Aceon exactly as prescribed by health care provider. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not take Aceon more frequently than your doctor recommends. If the dose your doctor recommends does not provide relief of your symptoms, or if your symptoms become worse, consult your doctor immediately.

What are the Side Effects of Aceon -

Like other medicines, Aceon can cause side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Aceon includedecreased amount of urine passed

difficulty breathing, or difficulty swallowing

dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting spells

fast or uneven heart beat, palpitations, or chest pain

fever or chills

numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes

skin rash, itching

swelling of your face, lips, or tongue

sore throat

Aceon intraction with other drugs:

If Aceon is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining albuterol with the following: These can affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

Warnings and precautions before taking Aceon :

* Aceon medicine should not be used during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

* As diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed, as this will reduce the likelihood of you needing to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

* Talk with your physician or pharmacist if you are taking other medications along with Aceon .

* If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known whether Aceon appears in breast milk.

* If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

* Do not drink alcohol while taking Aceon . Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused by Aceon . It may also increase the risk of seizures.

* If you have been taking an oral steroid drug and your doctor does decide to cut back the dosage, there is a remote chance that complications will follow. Inform your doctor of any new symptoms.

* Make sure that your doctor is aware of any drug reactions that you have experienced.

* Do not exceed your doctor’s recommended dose of albuterol. If you need more than usual, check with your doctor. Do not, however, change your medication without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

What if Overdose of Aceon ?

If you think you or anyone else taken overdose of Aceon , immediately telephone your doctor or contact your local or regional Poisons Information Centre Seek medical attention immediately. You may need urgent medical attention.

What if Missed Dose of Aceon ?

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember; then take any remaining doses for that day at equally spaced intervals. Never take a double dose.

Storage Conditions for Aceon :

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep the medication away from the children. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

By: ashu

The Athlete’s Guide to Exercise-Induced Asthma

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:24:03 +0000

From weekend warriors to superstars, all types of athletes experience
exercise-induced asthma. They include world-class competitors like NFL
star Jerome “The Bus” Bettis and six-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer
Amy Van Dyken.
But just what is exercise-induced asthma, why does it happen, and how can it
be managed?
WebMD consulted the experts to find out the answers to these questions, as
well as tips for controlling symptoms of exercise-induced asthma –
whether you’re a casual athlete or a superstar.
What is Exercise-Induced Asthma?
Even many people who never experience asthma symptoms at other times have
exercise-induced asthma, experts say.
“Exercise-induced asthma occurs in almost everyone who has chronic
asthma, but there is a separate group of people who have what we call
exercise-induced bronchospasm,” says Timothy J. Craig, MD, chair of the
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s Sports Medicine
Committee.
These people, explains Craig, dont have what is considered “true”
asthma. They dont have inflammation in their lungs. Nor do they experience
symptoms when exposed to common triggers, like animals, pollen or mold.
“So unlike most people who have asthma and get exercise-induced
symptoms, these individuals dont have true asthma, but when they exercise,
they experience the symptoms of asthma,” Craig tells WebMD.
Exercise-induced asthma, experienced by up to 13% of the U.S. population,
occurs when the airways narrow, making breathing difficult. Why some athletes
have exercise-induced asthma and others dont isnt entirely clear.
“The causes vary, but are usually associated with loss of heat or water,
or both, from the lungs during exercise, because of the increased ventilation
of dry and cool air,” says Michael G. Miller, EdD, a spokesperson for the
National Athletic Trainers Association.
People with exercise-induced asthma have airways that are overly sensitive
to sudden changes in temperature and humidity, especially when breathing
colder, drier air, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology (AAAAI).
During strenuous activity, people tend to breathe through their mouths.
Mouth breathing allows cold, dry air directly into the lungs, without benefit
of the warmth and moisture that nose breathing supplies. As a result, air is
moistened to only 60-70% relative humidity. Nose-breathing, meanwhile, warms
and saturates air to about 80 to 90% humidity.
The symptoms of exercise-induced asthma are similar to those of chronic
asthma, explains Miller. They include:

Shortness of breath.
Tightness in the chest.
Cough or wheezing.
Decreased performance.

These symptoms usually begin after several minutes of exercise and peak
about 10 minutes into a workout, or sooner.
Preventing and Treating Exercise-Induced Asthma
How can these symptoms be prevented and treated, so asthma doesnt become an
excuse to avoid exercise?
Here are some tips for reducing the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma:

Be sure to warm up before working out. “A proper warm-up for at least
10 minutes with a gradual increase in intensity can help prevent symptoms,”
says Miller.
Take precautions when it’s chilly outside. “If its cold, cover your
mouth and nose to warm the air,” says Miller. Or “move to indoor areas
that are well-ventilated and have humidified, warm air.”
Use an inhaler. Inhalers contain albuterol, a beta-agonist bronchodilator.
This class of drugs is effective in 80% to 90% of people with exercise-induced
asthma. As a preventive therapy, it should be taken about 15 minutes before
exercise. The effects can last for up to four to six hours. Your inhaler can
also be used to relieve asthma symptoms after they flare.

If warming up and using albuterol dont prevent symptoms, there may be more
to your exercise-induced asthma than you think.

Asthma: The Rescue Inhaler — Now A Cornerstone Of Asthma Treatment

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:43:27 +0000

When asthma symptoms are in high gear and the wheezing and coughing sets in,
it’s the inhaler to the rescue — the rescue inhaler, to be exact. If you have
asthma, your rescue inhaler should be among the first things you reach
for when you leave the house, along with your wallet and car keys.
How do rescue inhalers work, and why are they such a crucial part of
managing asthma? WebMD consulted the experts to learn more about rescue
inhalers, and the important role they play in asthma treatment.
The Basics of Rescue Inhalers
The most common class of rescue inhalers is the beta-agonist bronchodilator.
Beta-agonist drugs provide short-acting, quick relief when symptoms like
wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness flare — whether it’s from a friend’s
cat, summer pollen, a dusty house, or a run on a cold day.
“Standard albuterol is probably one of the most frequently used
beta-agonists,” says Richard Honsinger, MD, a spokesman for the American
Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Along with albuterol, other
short-acting beta-agonists are available by prescription, including
levbalbuterol, metaproterenol sulfate, pirbuterol, and terbutaline. These drugs
work by relaxing the bronchial smooth muscle in the lung, opening the airways
and allowing more oxygen in as you breath.
Rescue Inhalers: Squeeze and Breath
While it sounds simple, when you puff and how you puff are important
components of managing asthma symptoms. When symptoms rear their ugly heads,
one or two inhalations can be taken every four to six hours for the
quick-relief of wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. But it is important
that you take your asthma medication the correct way.
“When I see a patient, I ask them to use an inhaler for me,” says Honsinger.
“I find that 1 out of 4 use it incorrectly. They’re putting it in their mouth
and they’re not squeezing it when they breathe in so they don’t get a full
dose. Or they squirt in their mouth and then they breath in through their nose,
so the medicine doesn’t get into the lungs.”
According to Honsinger, when you use your inhaler, you need to take a slow
breath in, while simultaneously squeezing the inhaler to deliver a dose, then
hold the breath for several seconds. And if doing both at the same time is
still tricky — like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time
– try using a “spacer” to help you get it right.
“Spacers squeeze the medicine into a tube and then you use the tube to
breath in the dose,” says Honsinger. “It has a one-way valve so you have to
breath in to get the medicine out, and it helps get the medicine into your
lungs instead of onto the back of your mouth.”