Adrenergic bronchodilator overdose

Adrenergic bronchodilators are inhaled medicines that help open up the airways. They are used to treat asthma and chronic bronchitis. Adrenergic bronchodilator overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose . DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

In large amounts, these medicines can be poisonous:

• Albuterol
• Bitolterol
• Ephedrine
• Epinephrine
• Isoetharine
• Isoproterenol
• Metaproterenol
• Pirbuterol
• Racepinephrine
• Ritodrine
• Terbutaline

Other bronchodilators may also be harmful when taken in large amounts.

Where Found

The substances listed above are found in medicines. Brand names are in parentheses:

• Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
• Bitolterol (Tornalate)
• Ephedrine (Ephed II)
• Epinephrine (Adrenalin, AsthmaHaler, Bronitin Mist, Bronkaid Mist, Medihaler-Epi, Primatene Mist, EpiPen Auto-Injector, Sus-Phrine, Twinject)
• Ethylnorepinephrine (Bronkephrine)
• Isoetharine (Arm-a-Med Isoetharine, Bronkometer, Bronkosol, Dey-Dose Isoetharine, Dispos-a-Med Isoetharine, Dey-Lute Isoetharine)
• Isoproterenol (Aerolone, Dey-Dose Isoproterenol, Dispos-a-Med Isoproterenol, Isuprel, Medihaler-Iso, Norisodrine Aerotrol, Vapo-Iso)
• Metaproterenol (Alupent, Arm-a-Med Metaproterenol, Dey-Dose Metaproterenol, Dey-Lute Metaproterenol, Metaprel)
• Pirbuterol (Maxair)
• Racepinephrine (AsthmaNefrin, Dey-Dose Racepinephrine, Vaponefrin)
• Terbutaline (Breathaire, Brethine, Bricanyl)

Other brands of bronchodilators may also be available.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of an adrenergic bronchodilator overdose in different parts of the body.

Airways and lungs

• Difficulty breathing

  Difficulty breathing

  Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air

   

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• Shallow breathing
• Rapid breathing
• No breathing

Bladder and kidneys

• No urine output

  No urine output

  Decreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 ml of urine in 24 hours (a little over 2 cups)....

   

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Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

• Blurred vision

  Blurred vision

  There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: HalosBlurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see ...

   

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• Dilated pupils
• Burning throat

Heart and blood vessels

• High blood pressure, then low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat

  Rapid heartbeat

  Palpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...

   

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Nervous system

• Chills
• Coma

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term co...

   

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• Convulsions

  Convulsions

  A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure...

   

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• Fever
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Tingling of hands and feet
• Tremor

Skin

• Blue lips and fingernails

  Blue lips and fingernails

  Cyanosis is a bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane that is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

   

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Stomach and intestines

• Nausea
• Vomiting

Home Care

Seek medical help right away.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The person may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including oxygen
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Intravenous (through a vein) fluids
• Laxative
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Tube placed down the nose and into the stomach ( gastric lavage )

  Gastric lavage

  Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.

   

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Blood tests may show changes in blood sugar and low potassium levels.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that the person will recover. People who have seizures, breathing difficulties, and heart rhythm disturbances may have the most serious problems after an overdose.