| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Poisoning from an adrenergic bronchodilator. |
| Alternative Names | |
| 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) ritodrine (Yutopar) Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | body as a whole chills fevertremormuscle spasms arching of the back (severe) convulsionsno urine outputlow blood sugar or high blood sugar low potassium tingling of hands and feet respiratorydifficulty breathingstop breathinggasping for breath eyes, ears, nose, and throat dilated pupils blurred vision skin blue lips and fingernails (later) gastrointestinal nausea and/or vomiting heart and blood vessels rapid heartbeat elevated blood pressure (initially) low blood pressure (later) nervous system nervousness irritability coma |
| Home Treatment | If the medication was swallowed the standard procedure is to induce vomiting unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions . Before inducing vomiting, contact Poison Control.
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| Before Calling Emergency | Determine the following information: the patient's age, weight, and condition the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known) the time it was swallowed the amount swallowed |
| Poison Control, or a local emergency number | They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control Centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
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| What to expect at the emergency room | Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
Induce vomiting. Administer activated charcoal. Administer a laxative. Use gastric lavage . Administer artificial respiration (breathing) if necessary. Maintain adequate respiration rate. Treat the symptoms. |
| Expectations (prognosis) | Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will follow. Mental disturbances associated with long-term use are rare and may require several months for recovery. |
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