ALBUTEROL INHALERS CAUSED TACHYCARDIA - NEED SUGGESTIONS
I recently used. Ventolin Inhaler, which caused my pulse to shoot up to 190 or higher…… pulse was bouncing up and down for about 15 minutes or so, but then calmed back down after 20 minutes. Several days later I tried Levalbuterol 1 puff (which was supposedly created as an alternative rescue inhaler to the other standard Albuterol based rescue inhalers used - fewer and milder side effects) - which seemed fine at first - but about 45 minutes later my pulse shot up in to the low 200’s…….and it took a few hours for it to settle down……! Does anyone know what alternative there is to these Albuterol based rescue inhalers? I am frustrated, because I am unable to find any information out there about how a situation like this is handled! I can’t find any information out there about this……
Hi Kelly - thanks for this post and your concern about the side effects you are experiencing using these two different medications.
This would definitely be something you should speak about with your prescribing physician. You may be aware that medications (and these are no exception), can cause side effects for some patients. The side effects can vary and not all side effects affect every patient who uses a medication.
However, based on what you've shared with the community here, it sounds like each of these medications (Ventolin and Levalbuterol), may be the cause of significant tachycardia in your case. Your prescribing physician would be the right medical professional to hear your concerns and suggest alternative medications that would work better in your case.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)Would you believe it or not - the physician doesn’t seem to be able to identify another SABA reliever other than the Albuterol based inhalers. Sometimes things are difficult, that shouldn’t be. There isn’t much information out there about this particular issue. As a Registered Nurse myself, I am frustrated that no one so far, has been able to come up with a solution. Achieving stability is one thing……and having access to a rescue inhaler that works on one’s person in case of an emergency, is CRUCIAL for all patients. Talking with a few pharmacists has reaped no results either…..I can not believe that there isn’t an alternative out there, that can provide similar relief to the Albuterols. Surely others are or have been in the same boat. This subject has become disturbing - at the thought that one can be left out in the lurch without a rescue inhaler. Very concerning! If you have heard of any alternatives, please mention them…..so I can forward some suggestions/ideas to the physician……I WILL BE MOST GRATEFUL!
Hi. How are you doing today? I see that gave some great advice for you in his comment below. I just wanted to add that I agree with him, that it would be a great idea for you to talk to your doctor. Any time a new medicine causes side effects like this, it is a good idea to talk to your physician for further guidance as to what you should do. Is this something you have done already? Or are considering? John. asthma.net community moderator.
Hi again, Kelly - I hear you!! This can be (as you have found), exasperating! Although I am hopeful my colleague,, will join back in and discuss the other medications he alluded to, I also have something to contribute.
This may seem obvious but, you have only mentioned metered dose inhalers and the side effect you've experienced using albuterol and levalbuterol.
Have you tried the using a nebulizer with the medications? If so, have you had the same side effects using the nebulized equivalents?
Sometimes the liquid nebulized unit dose medications cause less issues for the patients using them.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)Hi. The medicine I was alluding to is asthma controller medicines, such as the ones listed here (https://asthma.net/treatment). Perhaps you are familiar with them already? These are medicines that keep your lungs open long-term to prevent the need for medicines like albuterol and levalbuterol. John. asthma.net community moderator
Hi Leon - Thank you for your input! - As you can likely understand - after the 2 hair raising incidents with Ventolin and Levalbuterol - I would be absolutely terrified to try the nebulized versions. I certainly hope, that someone on this site can shsre some suggestions for possible alternatives to Albuterol based products.
Hi Kelly - I hear you and also understand your concern! I will tell you that, over the years, when patients in the hospital experienced similar side effects, we would check with the physician of record who would generally suggest we try one-half strength of a unit dose medication. There were times when we actually used one-quarter strength for pediatric patients. For many of the patients/children I provided care for, this resulted in an effective therapy. Naturally, we only did it with a prescription from a physician and we stayed with the patient during and after therapy.
Is this something you would want to consider? If so, I would suggest you discuss this, in detail and at length, with a physician you trust. You may also want to speak about this with your dispensing physician.
After considering your situation and, the lack of available, suitable MDI's for you, I thought this might be worth thinking about.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
I appreciate this Leon - and find this quite interesting. I would never try this myself nor by myself. It sounds like nebules were used, am I correct? Also, what do you know about what other possibilities there may be for adults in this situation? I will pass all of these ideas on to my doctor. Thank you so much!
