Health Encyclopedia

Adrenergic bronchodilator overdose

Definition

Adrenergic bronchodilators are inhaled medicines that help open up the air passages. 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 medication.

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, 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)

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Airways and lungs
- Difficulty breathing
- Gasping for breath
- No breathing
Bladder and kidneys
- No urine output
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Blurred vision
- Dilated pupils
Heart and blood vessels
- High blood pressure, which then leads to low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
Nervous system
- Chills
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Fever
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Tingling of hands and feet
- Tremor
Skin
- Blue lips and fingernails
Stomach and intestines
- Nausea
- Vomiting

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help.

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 National Poison 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 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.

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

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Breathing support (artificial respiration)
Gastric lavage to empty the stomach
Laxative

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

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:10/29/2007
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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