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

• Chills
• Fever
• Tremor
• Muscle spasms
• Arching of the back 
• Convulsions
• No urine output
• Low blood sugar
• High blood sugar
• Low potassium
• Tingling of hands and feet

Respiratory

• Difficulty breathing
• Gasping for breath
• No breathing

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

• Dilated pupils
• Blurred vision

Skin

• Blue lips and fingernails

Gastrointestinal

• Nausea
• Vomiting

Heart and blood vessels

• Rapid heartbeat
• High blood pressure, which then leads to low blood pressure

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.