Adrenergic bronchodilators overdose
Definition
Adrenergic bronchodilators overdose is poisoning from inhaled medicines that help open up the air passages. Such medicines are used to treat asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Poisonous Ingredient
- Albuterol
- Bitolterol
- Ephedrine
- Epinephrine
- Isoetharine
- Isoproterenol
- Metaproterenol
- Pirbuterol
- Racepinephrine
- Ritodrine
- Terbutaline
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Where Found
- Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
- Bitolterol (Tornalate)
- Ephedrine (Ephed II)
- Epinephrine (Adrenalin, AsthmaHaler, Bronitin Mist, Bronkaid Mist, Medihaler-Epi, Primatene Mist, EpiPen Auto-Injector, Sus-Phrine)
- Ethylnorepinephrine (Bronkephrine)
- Isoetharine (Arm-a-Med Isoetharine, Bronkometer, Bronkosol, Dey-Dose Isoetharine, Dispos-a-Med Isoetharine, Dey-Lute Isoetharine)
- Isoproterenol (Aerolone, Dey-Dose Isoproterenol, Dispos-a-Med Isoproterenol, Isuprel, Medihaler-Iso, Norisodrine Aerotrol, Vapo-Iso)
- Metaproterenol (Alupent, Arm-a-Med Metaproterenol, Dey-Dose Metaproterenol, Dey-Lute Metaproterenol, Metaprel)
- Pirbuterol (Maxair)
- Racepinephrine (AsthmaNefrin, Dey-Dose Racepinephrine, Vaponefrin)
- Terbutaline (Breathaire, Brethine, Bricanyl)
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms
Body as a whole
Respiratory
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
Skin
Gastrointestinal
Heart and blood vessels
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure, which then leads to low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Coma
Home Care
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
- When it was swallowed
- The amount swallowed
Poison Control
The NationalPoison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If possible, take the container with you to the emergency room.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The patient may receive:
- Activated charcoal
- Laxative
- Gastric lavage to empty the stomach
- Artificial respiration
- Symptom treatment
Outlook (Prognosis)
Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will follow. Mental disturbances associated with long-term use are rare.
Review Date:
2/13/2006
Reviewed By:
Stephen C Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA MedicalCenter, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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