Patient was educated on the side effects of using Albuterol as follows:
- Patients taking Albuterol can sometimes present with worsening of asthmatic symptoms, with increasing wheezing, increased frequency of exacerbation of shortness of breath, reducing endurance, and feeling tiresome. Any worsening of asthmatic symptoms must be reported immediately.
- Stimulation of Beta-2 receptors in the vascular smooth muscle by Albuterol can result in relaxation of the smooth muscle of the blood vessels, leading to reduced blood pressure. Patients can present with elevated heart rate, as a compensation for reduced blood pressure.
- Stimulation of Beta-2 receptors in the pancreas by Albuterol can result in increased insulin and glucagon secretion from the Beta and Alpha cells of pancreas respectively. Increased insulin secretion can result in episodes of hypoglycemia, dizziness, and confusion.
- Increased glucagon secretion, secondary to use of Albuterol, can result in increased breakdown of glycogen in the liver and muscle and thereby, result production of more glucose and episodes of increased blood sugar. This can be an issue with diabetics and can result in impaired blood glucose control and increased frequency of episodes of hyperglycemia.
- Patients can present with constitutional symptoms, such as, headache, dizziness, cough, throat irritation, nasal congestion, and muscle pain secondary to the action of Albuterol.
