Adrenergic Bronchodilators

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

How you take a drug can affect how well it works and how safe it will be for you. Sometimes it can be almost as important as what you take. Timing, what you eat and when you eat, proper dose, and many other factors can mean the difference between feeling better, staying the same, or even feeling worse. This drug information page is intended to help you make your treatment work as effectively as possible. It is important to note, however, that this is only a guideline. You should talk to your doctor about how and when to take any prescribed drugs.

Conditions These Drugs Treat

Adrenergic bronchodilators alleviate the symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema by opening air passages in the lungs to allow easier breathing.

While they are not a cure for asthma, adrenergic bronchodilators can temporarily relieve the classic symptoms of the disease: wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. They can also prevent bronchospasm when taken shortly before exercising.

How to Take

There are several devices that administer adrenergic bronchodilators.

The metered-dose inhaler is the most common. A small aerosol pump, the inhaler sprays a controlled amount of medicated mist through a mouthpiece for the patient to inhale. The inhaler easily fits in a purse or bag to use anywhere.

Follow your doctor's directions for assembling and using the inhaler. For most brands, hold the inhaler bottle upside down and close your lips firmly over the mouthpiece. Press down firmly on the bottle as directed and inhale deeply. Then remove the mouthpiece and hold your breath a moment before exhaling slowly.

The prescribed dosage can vary, depending on the patient's symptoms and other factors. Always follow your doctor's instructions regarding the number and frequency of inhalations. Some patients are instructed to take two inhalations. Others are told to wait a minute or two and take another inhalation only if necessary.

Bronchodilators can also be taken using nebulizers or respirators to produce the spray, but these are almost always used only at a doctor's office or under strict medical supervision.

Most metered-dose inhalers require a doctor's prescription. Inhalers containing one type of bronchodilator, epinephrine, are available over the counter in brand names such as AsthmaHaler, Bronkaid, Primatene, and AsthmaNefrin. But do not use an over-the-counter inhaler unless your doctor recommends it and you have been diagnosed with asthma.

Missed Doses

For adults using inhalers, a typical dose of the medicine is two inhalations, four times a day.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, and consult your doctor about when to take the next dose. Be careful not to inhale more of the medicine than your doctor recommends. Large doses of bronchodilators might cause serious side effects.

Relief of Symptoms

Bronchodilators may provide relief in as quickly as a few seconds or as long as 30 minutes after using.

Side Effects and Risks

Side effects include nervousness, restlessness and trembling.

Less common side effects include coughing, dizziness, indigestion, irritated mouth or throat, pounding heartbeat, headache, increased sweating, an increase in blood pressure, muscle cramps or twitching, nausea or vomiting, sleeplessness, paleness, and weakness.

Seek immediate medical attention if any side effects develop, including the following: bluish skin, severe dizziness or faintness, continuous flushing or redness of face or skin, increased wheezing or difficulty in breathing, skin rashes, hives or itching, and swelling of the face, lips or eyelids.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience chest pain, irregular heartbeat, numbness in the hands or feet, or unusual breathing.

If the inhaler medicine leaves an unpleasant taste in your mouth or changes your sense of smell or taste, contact your doctor immediately.

Precautions and Warnings

Check with your doctor at once if the bronchospasm continues after using an inhaler.

Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and ask about any additional risks under those circumstances.

Diabetics may find that their blood sugar levels rise after using this medicine. Diabetics who notice a change in their blood or urine sugar test results should tell their doctors.

Before Taking This Medicine

Before using an inhaler, tell your doctor if you have had adverse reactions to any drugs, especially other adrenergic bronchodilators.

Also tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical problems:

• brain damage
• convulsions and seizures
• diabetes
• heart or blood vessel disease
• high blood pressure
• mental disease
• overactive thyroid
• Parkinson's disease

Inform your doctor of any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking now or have taken in the last two weeks, especially any beta blockers, heart medicines, or mood-changing drugs.

Also, tell your doctor if you have ever used cocaine or other stimulants.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.