Case Report of Acute Reaction Following First Use of Albuterol Inhaler

ABSTRACT:

Albuterol is generally regarded as a safe medication, with serious adverse reactions being rare. We report a 21 year old male’s reported experience immediately after using an albuterol inhaler for the first time, which involved an approximately 20 minute episode of polydipsia, diaphoresis, bitemporal hemianopia, light headedness, and near syncope.

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The albuterol inhaler had been prescribed earlier that day for acute upper respiratory infection, which the patient had for about a week prior. The patient had been taking DayQuil and NyQuil brand over the counter cough syrup.

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We are unlikely to ever definitively identify the cause, but suspect albuterol, cough medicine, and concurrent illness were likely the biggest contributory factors in this episode. This case illustrated how autonomic drugs do not always act in predictable ways, and that prescribers should be particularly careful when utilizing multiple drugs with autonomic action.

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Suggested Citation:

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Sewdien K, Dubois A, Ramkissoon J, Case report of acute reaction following first use of albuterol inhaler. Open Clinical Annals. 2024:1(1):3-4. DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/PR5FK https://openannals.wixsite.com/openclinicalannals/case-report-of-acute-reaction-following-first-use-of-albuterol-inhaler