Albuterol Tablets 2mg

About Albuterol Tablets:

Albuterol tablets are also called salbutamol tablet. These are widely administered for the treatment of respiratory conditions. Conditions these tablets help treat are bronchitis, bronchial asthma, congestions in the airways caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like asthma, etc. These tablets are categorised under a family of drugs known as bronchodilators.

How Albuterol 2mg Tablets Work?

Albuterol 2 mg tablets work by relaxing the tissues and muscles surrounding your lungs. This relaxation process eases up your lungs and airways. As an outcome, all these activities help you breathe easily. When signs of COPD like wheezing, gasping for breath or panting are managed well and stopped in a timely manner, you can reduce time spent off work or school.

Albuterol Tablets versus Inhaler

Albuterol tablets must never be used to treat sudden spells of respiratory conditions such as gasping or wheezing. An inhaler is used for such sudden episodes. A few quick-relief inhalers are available in drugstores. These inhalation devices help treat shortened respiratory cycles and other symptoms of breathing difficulties.

Albuterol Tablets – Pros and Cons

Pros:

• These tablets can both treat and to prevent spells of bronchospasms.
• Such tablets can be used for the treatment of children and adults alike.
• However, very young children may need safer alternatives. In general, albuterol tablets are used for treating grown-up children.
• These tablets can be administered for the case management of exercise-induced bronchospasms. They can be taken in combination with a few other meds. For example, caregivers combine it with meds such as ipratropium bromide.
• Users (living with COPD) who used these tablets on a regular basis seldom reported of any detrimental effects.
• There are a few alternative forms of these tablets. You can get them as an inhaler, an oral suspension, and also as albuterol tablets with an extended-release mechanism of action.
• For those who aim to save costs, generic versions of these tablets are also widely available. Talk to your pharmacist to know more of albuterol tablets price and their availability.

Cons:

• These tablets can cause adverse effects like restlessness, migraines, involuntary shaking of body, etc.
• In a few instances, albuterol tablets may trigger changes in the rate of heartbeats, spike in pressure level, etc.
• As beta blocking agents are present in the cardiac system, these tablets can cause chest pain (also called angina), palpitation coupled with sweating profusely. Users must report changes in ECG outputs to their caregiving team without much delay.
• Owing to point ‘b’ above, albuterol tablets may pose some risks among those with cardiac conditions like arrhythmia, hypertension or high level of blood pressure, etc. These tablets may also pose a few risks among those with epileptic seizures, fits, convulsions and in people living with a hyperactive thyroid.
• In some one-off cases, such tablets have caused a drop in potassium salts and may also worsen diabetes or other such autoimmune conditions.
• Very remotely, albuterol tablets can trigger paradoxical bronchospasm. This means the active ingredients tend to close your airways instead of opening or relaxing them. In such cases, it is advised to stop using the tablets and establish immediate contact with emergency care services.
• Active chemicals used in albuterol tablets are known to adversely interact with a few meds. Drugs that interact include beta blockers, antidepressants especially of the tricyclic kind, water pills or diuretics, etc.
• Those who use nebulisers to administer albuterol may develop infections. You are hence advised to clean the devices properly to prevent possible risks of contamination by spread of microbes.

Directions for use

Use this tablet orally as per the directions of your treating doctor. The typical dose is 2 to 3 times per day. In some acute cases, tablets are prescribed for up to 4 times per day. Frequency of doses and their strength within a 24-hour timeline are based on the severity of your medical condition and how your system responds to the first few doses.

For better results, you are advised to take these tablets regularly without skipping the doses. Those who took albuterol tablets at same timeslots every day achieved better results. A few users, out of an enthusiasm to get a quicker remedy, took an added dose of these tablets. Some have tried taking these albuterol tablets more often than what was instructed to them. These are not safe practices and they may enhance the risks of side effects.

In this light it is equally important to know how to use these tablets when coughing spells or episodes of wheezing and panting worsen.

Drug interactions

Albuterol tablets are known to produce counterproductive effects when taken with a few other drugs. Drugs of the following genres are known to trigger several adverse interactions. These include –

• Beta blocker drugs

These meds are taken for managing several cardiac conditions like high pressure level and rapid heartbeat. These drugs function by inhibiting beta receptor cells of your heart and arteries. On the other hand albuterol activates these receptor cells. Owing to these inherent risks your caregiving team will weigh various options and administer drugs that are safest to those living with heart problems.

• Water pills

These are also called diuretics. These are used for lowering pressure levels. These pills help kidneys to get rid of excessive fluids from your system. But in this process, you may also lose potassium salts. As albuterol also reduces potassium in blood a coadministration of water pills and albuterol may lead to a greater depletion of potassium.

• Digoxin

This med helps in the treatment of cardiac rhythm related problems. You will have to continue monitoring your system to ensure safer levels of its active chemicals. Albuterol tablets can reduce digoxin level in blood. Owing to this your treating doctor will advise a periodic watch over digoxin content in your blood.

• Antidepressants of the tricyclic type

These meds are taken for treating mental problems such as restlessness, anxieties and being depressed. A few are used for regulating sleep cycles. Examples of popular antidepressants of the tricyclic genre are nortriptyline, amitriptyline, etc. However, a few of these antidepressants are known to prolong your QT cycles. As albuterol tablets also prolong these cycles you run greater risks of hypertension and faster rate of heartbeats. If you develop signs such as being tired, chest pain or palpitation, turning lightheaded, blurring of vision, etc. talk to your caregiving team on a top priority basis.

So whenever you add a new drug to your treatment plan, tell your doctor of the changes made to the medications you currently take. As a safety measure, ensure to check with your caregiver about possible risks of interactions and seek safer alternatives.

Storage Instructions

You are advised to store albuterol tablets at ambient temperature. Ensure to store them where there is no exposure to moisture and light. In order to avoid interactions with moisture, never keep these tablets in your bathroom. In the same light, never store these meds where your pets and children gain access to them.

Once the meds have reached their expiry stage, do not flush them away in your toilets or never pour into drains. Learn how to dispose these meds off once they have expired. You can also seek needful help from a waste disposing agency or from a pharmacist to ensure safer disposal of albuterol tablets.

Precautions:

Prior to starting your dosage plan, tell your doctor of prior allergies and hypersensitivity to bronchodilators, if any. If you developed serious side effects during prior administration of meds like metaproterenol, terbutaline, levalbuterol, etc. your caregiving team must be aware of such inputs. Beware of a few passive ingredients or not very active chemicals present in albuterol. These may also trigger some allergies. So, it becomes a vital thing to keep your physician and pharmacist updated of all such prior discomforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are albuterol tablets used for?

Albuterol / salbutamol 2 mg tablet is used for relaxing muscles of the airways. This process helps you to breathe with relative ease. When signs of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as gasping, wheezing and panting show up, salbutamol tablet supresses such signs.

How do you take albuterol 2 mg tablets?

Take each salbutamol tablet by mouth, as per guidance of a qualified chest physician or a certified healthcare practitioner. Usual dosage plan includes taking salbutamol sulphate tablet 3 times every day. However, in worsened cases of respiratory problems, pills are administered for 4 times within a 24-hour timespan. Number of dosages vary based on intensity of the breathing problem, and also how well your body reacts to initial dosages of salbutamol tablet.

Your doctor will advise you not to skip any dose, all through your medication plan. Users who administered tablets at the same time could see quicker remedies. Never take an overdose, either by upping the dosage level or taking salbutamol tablet often. These may cause toxicity in your system. These acts may also make your breathing problems to turn worse.

Why use albuterol tablets?

Albuterol pill is also labelled as salbutamol tablet. These are taken for treating respiratory problems. Breathing problems these pills treat include bronchial asthma, airway congestions triggered by COPD like asthma, bronchitis, etc. These pills are grouped under a genre of meds called bronchodilators. It is as a good practice to consult with your caregiving team to know how to take salbutamol tablet in a safe manner.

What does an albuterol tablet do?

Albuterol 2 mg pills are taken to relax and ease your airways and its muscles. This activity leads to obtaining relief from breathing difficulties. When symptoms of a COPD like wheezing or panting occur, these tablets help control those discomforts and help restore normal cycles of respiration. For knowing more about what are albuterol tablets used for talk to your chest physician or caregiver.

What is the dosing for albuterol tablets?

The dosage level varies based on your age. In case of those aged above 12 years, 2 to 4 milligram (mg) pills are offered thrice per day. In some cases, pills are offered four times every day. Your caregiver will ensure that the maximum dosage never crosses 32 mg within a 24-hour timespan. This high dosage value is split as 4 dosing units at an interval of 6 hours in between each dose.

For those aged below 12 years, salbutamol tablet dosage of 2 mg is provided thrice per day. In this case, maximum dosing is restricted below 24 mg within one day. This dosing is also split as 4 individual dosing units with a gap of 6 hours between two doses. You are advised to adhere to the directions given by your caregiver, especially when to take salbutamol tablet and other such essential inputs.

Last but not least, it is unsafe to take these pills through over the counter (OTC) route. You are advised to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about dosing and timing of each dose.

Are albuterol 2 mg tablets effective?

Yes, these pills treat and prevent bronchospasms. They are used to treat adults and children. These tablets can also be taken to treat exercise-triggered episodes of bronchospasm. You can also take then along with drugs like ipratropium bromide, etc. Those living with conditions like COPD reported no major detrimental outcomes upon using these pills. The good thing is, you can also procure an inhaler version or a liquid suspension form of these pills. It is an added benefit to know that extended-release formats of these pills are also sold in drugstores.

Which is better – salbutamol tablet or inhaler?

You are advised not to use albuterol pills for sudden episodes of breathing conditions like wheezing, panting, etc. You are advised to use inhalers to treat sudden outbursts of such breathing conditions. Inhalers that offer quicker remedies are sold through online pharmacies and physical drugstores. Inhalers help manage shortened breathing cycles and also cure signs of respiratory conditions like bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthma to name a few.

How effective is salbutamol tablet?

These tablets are effective in preventing and treating bronchospasm. You can administer them to people of almost age groups barring very young patients. These pills are known to be effective for exercise-related or workouts-triggered bronchospasms.

Those with problems such as COPD witnessed no major adverse effects while taking these tablets. You can also buy it as an albuterol pill form, an inhaler version, as a liquid or an extended-release form with needful prescription.

How many tablets of salbutamol should an adult take?

In case of adults i.e., those above 18 years, 2 to 4 mg tablets are administered three time each day. Some adults may have to take it for four times within 24-hours. Always ensure that the maximum dosing never breaches 32 mg in a day’s time. Your daily dosages are divided as equal parts with a time gap of at least 6 hours.

What are the side effects of salbutamol 2 mg tablets?

You may witness a few adverse side effects like palpitations, faster heartbeat, depletion of potassium salts, being restless, disturbed sleeping cycles, depression, etc. Those experiencing stomach problems like vomiting, nausea, indigestion, discharge of watery stools, abdominal pains, etc. must talk to their doctor with immediate effect.

If you are witnessing signs such as swelling of oral parts, wheezing or other breathing problems, passing out or loss of consciousness, take medical help on an emergency mode. Users in the US can call 911 or reach out to the helpdesk of the food and drug administration (FDA) there. It is noteworthy that FDA has its own helplines to provide support to those witnessing side effects of drugs this agency has cleared.

Users of these pills in Canada must talk to a nearby poison management cell or can also establish contact with Health Canada without much delay.

How often should I take salbutamol tablet?

Your caregiving team is more likely to recommend intake of albuterol 2 mg tablets three times per day. In some cases of acute panting, wheezing or gasping, you may be told to take it four times within a 24-hour timeline.

How long does it take for salbutamol tablets to work?

These pills are not known for their fast action like inhalers. In order to know more about albuterol tablets vs inhaler, talk to your pharmacist or caregiving team prior to starting your doses. You are hence advised to adhere to the medication plan as per the instructions of your chest physician or a qualified caregiver. Those who stopped taking albuterol sulfate tablets without the advice of the caregiver may run the risk of a relapse of the breathing problem.

What other drugs could interact with Albuterol Salbutamol 2mg?

• Amitriptyline
• Atenolol
• Bitolterol
• Digoxin
• Doxepin
• Ephedrine
• Epinephrine
• Furazolidone
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Imipramine
• Isocarboxazid
• Isoetherine
• Isoproterenol
• Levalbuterol
• Linezolid
• Metaproterenol
• Metoprolol
• Nortriptyline
• Phenelzine
• Pirbuterol
• Propranolol
• Pseudoephedrine
• Rasagiline
• Salmeterol
• Selegiline
• Terbutaline
• Timolol
• Tranylcypromine
• Water pill

It may be noted that drugs other than those listed above may also interact with Albuterol/Salbutamol 2mg.

Note

The health and medical information provided here is intended to supplement and not substitute for the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacists or other health care professional. Avoid getting Albuterol/Salbutamol into your eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Before using this drug, inform your doctor if you have irregular heartbeat, drug allergies, heart disease, an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Store the drug at temperature below 30 degrees centigrade away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.