Albuterol overdose

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overdosage topics

Manifestations

Treatment

Lethal dose



Manifestations

The expected symptoms with overdosage are those of excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or occurrence or exaggeration of any of the symptoms listed under side effects, e.g., seizures, angina, hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia with rates up to 200 beats/min, arrhythmias, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, palpitation, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, and sleeplessness. Hypokalemia may also occur. As with all sympathomimetic medications, cardiac arrest and even death may be associated with abuse of Albuterol tablets. Return to top

Treatment

Treatment consists of discontinuation of Albuterol tablets together with appropriate symptomatic therapy.The judicious use of a cardioselective beta-receptor blocker may be considered, bearing in mind that such medication can produce bronchospasm. There is insufficient evidence to determine if dialysis is beneficial for overdosage of Albuterol tablets. Return to top

Lethal dose

The oral median lethal dose of Albuterol sulfate in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg (approximately 250 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for adults on a mg/m2 basis, or, approximately 200 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for children on a mg/m2 basis). In mature rats, the subcutaneous (sc) median lethal dose of Albuterol sulfate is approximately 450 mg/kg (approximately 110 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for adults on a mg/m2 basis, or, approximately 90 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for children on a mg/m2 basis). In small young rats, the subcutaneous median lethal dose is approximately 2000 mg/kg (approximately 500 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for adults on a mg/m2 basis, or, approximately 400 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for children on a mg/m2 basis). Return to top



Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.