Albuterol

Question 1

What is the pharmacologic category/class of albuterol?

Answer 1

• Beta-2 agonist, bronchodilator

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Albuterol: Drug Information}

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action of albuterol?

Answer 2

• beta-2 agonism → inhibits intracellular mechanisms required for smooth muscle contraction

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Albuterol: Drug Information}

Question 3

What is the dose of albuterol?

Answer 3

Preoperative breathing treatment

• MDI: 1-4 puffs
• Nebulizer: 2.5-5 mg

Intraoperative bronchospasm

• MDI: 6-8 puffs (or more)
  place canister in 60 mL syringe and attach in place of gas sampling line

large doses needed intraoperatively due to loss of drug inside ETT

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
Pocket Anesthesia (5th), p. 47
Reggie
UpToDate - Albuterol: Drug Information}

Question 4

What is the onset of action for albuterol?

Answer 4

• ~5-10 minutes (nebulized solution is faster)

peak effect is usually after 30 mintues

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Albuterol: Drug Information}

Question 5

What is the duration of action for albuterol?

Answer 5

• 3-6 hours

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Albuterol: Drug Information}