The different abuterol contraindications relate to patients who have previously shown a hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components, and those with heart arrhythmias. Patients with a hypersensitivity to the drug may experience bronchospasms, rash, and hives. The use of albuterol in patients taking some other drugs is also contraindicated. This includes beta blockers, loop diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, stimulants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Various negative consequences, such as elevated blood pressure, elevated heart rate, and hypokalemia, can result if these drugs are combined with albuterol.
The most basic albuterol contraindications relate to those who have previously displayed hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its component chemicals. This is determined from the patient’s medical history, which doctors should check prior to prescribing the drug. Hives and rash are immediate symptoms of albuterol hypersensitivity, related to an allergic reaction to the drug. Bronchospasm is another sign of an allergic reaction characterized by the constriction of the bronchi and bronchioles. This results in trouble breathing, like an asthma attack.
Patients who suffer from heart arrhythmias are listed on the albuterol contraindications. The drug can often cause side effects related to the cardiovascular system. This means that patients suffering from irregular heartbeat are at risk if taking albuterol. Doctors still prescribe the drug in some cases, but with extreme caution.
Other albuterol contraindications are related to other drugs the patient is taking, such as beta blockers. They are commonly used to treat heart problems, high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmia. These effects are related to the drugs blocking some nerve impulses. This results in the action of albuterol being blocked, often leading to a bronchospasm in asthmatic patients.
Loop diuretics are another class of drugs included in albuterol contraindications. These drugs cause the body to release more salts, water, and nutrients as urine than it ordinarily would. Albuiterol is known to cause hypokalemia in some patients, which is a potassium deficiency. The combined effect of loop diuretics and albuterol can make this effect much more likely.
Different drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and stimulants are also listed on the albuterol contraindications. These drugs can all cause adverse effects relating to the cardiovascular system when combined with albuterol. Possible effects include increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and chest pain. Patients taking stimulant drugs should only be given albuterol when absolutely necessary. People taking trycyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors should never be given albuterol.
