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Adrenergic bronchodilators overdose

Definition:

Adrenergic bronchodilators overdose is poisoning from inhaled medicines that help open up the air passages. Such medicines are used to treat asthma and chronic bronchitis.



Poisonous Ingredient:
  • Albuterol
  • Bitolterol
  • Ephedrine
  • Epinephrine
  • Isoetharine
  • Isoproterenol
  • Metaproterenol
  • Pirbuterol
  • Racepinephrine
  • Ritodrine
  • Terbutaline
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found:
  • Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
  • Bitolterol (Tornalate)
  • Ephedrine (Ephed II)
  • Epinephrine (Adrenalin, AsthmaHaler, Bronitin Mist, Bronkaid Mist, Medihaler-Epi, Primatene Mist, EpiPen Auto-Injector, Sus-Phrine)
  • 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)
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Body as a whole

Respiratory

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

Skin

Gastrointestinal

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Heart and blood vessels

Nervous system

  • Nervousness
  • Irritability
  • Coma


Home Treatment:

DO NOT induce vomiting.



Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
  • When it was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed


Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

The NationalPoison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called 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 U.S. 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.

If possible, take the container with you to the emergency room.



What to expect at the emergency room:

The patient may receive:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Laxative
  • Gastric lavage�to empty the stomach
  • Artificial respiration�
  • Symptom treatment


Expectations (prognosis):

Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will follow. Mental disturbances associated with long-term use are rare.




Review Date: 2/13/2006
Reviewed By: Stephen C Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA MedicalCenter, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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114 Woodland Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06105
(860) 714-4000

 
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