Question about albuterol
health advisory
Hospital
Alternative Medicine
2007-11-16 3:13:29
okk well im a 16 yr old female and my doctor keeps putting me on albuterol about every month for bronchittis i usually take it about 3x a day for 10 days during a month (depeding) is this bad for me or will it cause damage?
Answer:If a doctor put you on it, you must need it. Stay on it like the doctor prescribe you to do.
I used albuterol inhaler for sports induced asthma when I was your age until I was 20. Sometimes I used it several times during a game or practice and that was usually at least 2-3 times a week that I would have to do that. I didn't have any problems with it except occasionally I felt lightheaded for a few minutes. (That could be because I was hyperventilating too, though. So I'm not 100% sure.) I think sometimes people might lose a little weight. Every person is different. Why don't you read the insert that comes with the medication. It should give you info about side effects and how often those side effects occurred during a study of the med. It might also give you info about long term use. You could always ask your doc what the risks are if you don't feel comfortable taking it that often.
That is a very common asthma medicine. I have been using it for years with no ill effects. You would do best to do what your doctor says. If you are unsure get a second opinion, but DON'T just stop taking it on your own. Breathing is nothing to mess around with.
Albuterol is a fairly mild drug for asthma and other lung related problems. It wont hurt you like some of the others. But if you have a recurring problem then maybe the doctor needs to do some more test and see if there is more to the problem then just bronchitis. It could be allergies or asthma that has the bronchitis coming back so much. Doctors don't know everything and sometimes you need a second opinion. I have 2 daughters who have severe allergies and asthma. I have been round and round with some doctors and finally found one who was willing to listen to me.
First let me tell you a bit on bronchitis. Bronchitis is a common viral illness which is seen between October and March each year. This illness usually begins as a clear runny nose, sneezing, and low grade fever (101-102), which is followed by a deep sounding, 鈥渨et鈥?cough noted 2-4 days later. The cough is due to the virus irritating the small airways of the lungs (the bronchioles). Now, due to this irritation of the airways some people tend to wheeze. Your doctor put you on albuterol b/c its a fast acting medication that will help open up the irritated airways in the lungs; however, the cough can still be expected to last for a full 5-10 days.