DRUG STUDY

GENERIC NAME: Albuterol

Brand name: Salbutamol, Proventil, Ventolin
Drug Classification: Therapeutic:
Bronchodilator

Pregnancy Category B
DOSAGE, ROUTE, SIDE EFFECTS and
FREQUENCY (prescribed and INDICATION MECHANISM OF ADVERSE REACTIONS
recommended) ACTION (by system)
1. To control and It relieves nasal 1. Nervousness
Availability: prevent reversible airway congestion and reversible 2. Restlessness
obstruction caused by asthma
• PO (Children 6-12 years or chronic obstructive
bronchospasm by 3. Tremor
old): 2 mg 3-4 times a day or 4 pulmonary disorder (COPD) relaxing the smooth 4. Headache
mg as extended-release tablets 2. Quick relief for muscles of the 5. Insomnia
twice a day; may be carefully bronchospasm bronchioles. 6. Chest pain
increased as needed but not to 3. For the prevention 7. Palpitations
of exercise-induced
exceed 24 mg/day bronchospasm
8. Angina
Inhalation (Adults and children 4. Long-term control 9. Arrhythmias
more than 4 years of age): 2 agent for patients with 10. Hypertension
inhalations every 4-6 hours chronic or persistent 11. Nausea and
bronchospasm vomiting
12. Hyperglycemia
13. Hypokalemia

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
CONTRAINDICATION/S (at least 10)
1. Cardiac disease
including coronary 1. Assess lung sounds, PR and BP before drug administration
insufficiency, a history of and during peak of medication.
stroke, coronary artery disease 2. Observe fore paradoxical spasm and withhold medication
and cardiac arrhythmias and notify physician if condition occurs.
2. Hypertension 3. Administer PO medications with meals to minimize
3. Hyperthyroidism gastric irritation.
4. Diabetes 4. Extended-release tablet should be swallowed-whole. It
5. Glaucoma should not be crushed or chewed.
6. Geriatric patients – 5. If administering medication through inhalation, allow at
older individuals are at higher least 1 minute between inhalation of aerosol medication.
risk for adverse reactions and 6. Advise the patient to rinse mouth with water after each
may require lower dosage inhalation to minimize dry mouth.
7. Pregnancy especially Inform the patient that Albuterol may cause an unusual or bad
near term taste.
8. Lactation
9. Children less than 2
years of age because safety of
its use has not been
established
10. Excess inhaler use
which may lead to tolerance
and paradoxical
bronchospasm
disease;
Patient’s Name / Room No.