Albuterol is a fast-acting bronchodilator useful in the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles surrounding the bronchial passageways allowing increased air flow during the onset of attacks. It reduces wheezing, chest tightness and congestion by quickly opening the bronchial airways. It is available as a tablet, syrup or inhalation treatment. Although albuterol's efficacy is quite high, this drug is not without its risks.
Shakiness and Tremors
Since albuterol relaxes the muscles surrounding the airways, it also affects other smooth muscles within the body--specifically those in the arms and legs. This can cause slight shakiness in this region, which can cause alarm for patients. Generally, however, the shakiness will subside over a short period of time. If a patient overuses albuterol or takes it in excess of what a physician prescribes, tremors can develop that are much more severe than mild shakiness.
According to American Family Physician, a tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary, oscillatory movement of body parts that can be induced by use of albuterol or medications that include albuterol. As a beta-adrenergic agonist, albuterol requires the close supervision of a health care professional and strict adherence to dosing.
Increased Heart Rate
A 2006 University of Nottingham study in the "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" found that taking low or high doses of albuterol increased the heart rate. According to Drugs.com, the increase in heart rate or development of irregular heartbeats may be due to tachycardia--a faster than normal heartbeat--produced by the albuterol. Cardiovascular effects also include palpitations, peripheral vasodilatation and reflex tachycardia with an increase or decrease in blood pressure. Patients experiencing any cardiovascular disruption or chest pain should immediately seek medical attention as this may be a complication of albuterol use.
Worsening of Symptoms
Albuterol use can cause worsening of symptoms such as increased wheezing, breathing trouble and congestion, according to MayoClinic.com. Severe breathlessness, especially in the night or morning, is indicative of a serious asthma attack. Misusing or exceeding albuterol dosing can yield the medication ineffective and cause further complications with the chronic respiratory disease. Using albuterol alone is not enough. MayoClinic.com says that using an albuterol inhaler more than three times a week indicates the need of a preventative or controller medication to quell asthma attacks. Alternative medicines to use in lieu of persistent albuterol use include inhalation corticosteroids to prevent irritation and inflammation of the lungs. Additionally, heart attack and asthma-related death are associated with the abuse of albuterol, Drugs.com warns. Like all medications, following the directions set forth by a physician is essential.
References
- MedlinePlus: Albuterol
- PubMed Health: Albuterol
- American Family Physician: Tremor
- Drugs.com: Albuterol
- "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology"; Effects of Rac-Albuterol on Arterial Blood Gases; Christopher I. Whale, Milind P. Sovani, Kevin Mortimer, Janet Oborne, Sue Cooper, Timothy W. Harrison & Anne E. Tattersfield; 2006
