Can you overuse nebulizer

In the same way, more than 10 puffs of inhaler per day, or equivalent, has a pro-inflammatory effect. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is releasing a new guideline to encourage GPs to be far more selective in advising patients to use nebulisers. In addition, they need to be prepared to tell patients to stop using nebulisers, he says. The report authors believe that paradoxical bronchoconstriction is an underreported side effect of beta2-agonist inhalers, including albuterol.

Changing to a different medication might help. The FDA approved albuterol inhalers for people aged four and older for those with asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm. Before taking albuterol, or any other prescription, you should tell your doctor about your medical conditions.

This medication should be used with caution if you have heart disease, according to prescription information , which includes:. The American Heart Association lists albuterol as one of the drugs that may cause or exacerbate heart failure. You should also discuss the following health conditions with your healthcare professional before taking albuterol:. Although rare, there have been reports of death in association with excessive use of inhalation asthma medications, according to the FDA.

The exact cause of these deaths is unknown; however, researchers suspect cardiac arrest and the resulting lack of oxygen to the body. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should tell your doctor. According to information from the manufacturer , there are no direct studies of albuterol in pregnant women but the risk to a fetus appears low.

The lack of oxygen caused by asthma might be more harmful to the fetus. A study published in Pediatrics found that using asthma medications did not increase the risk for most congenital disabilities. Albuterol was the most common medication used by people participating in the study. There might, however, be an increased risk for congenital disabilities of the esophagus, anus, and abdominal wall. The possible effects on a baby when you are breastfeeding are also not known.

Using a bronchodilator will probably not cause high enough levels in your breast milk to cause a problem, according to MothertoBaby. However, you should speak with your doctor and proceed with caution, weighing the risks and benefits if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Albuterol can cause interactions with other medications. Interactions vary depending on the drugs you are taking, but can include:. You should tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter, supplements, and vitamins. Prescriptions that could have dangerous drug interactions with albuterol include:. The list of potential interactions is quite long, with over medications that might interact adversely with albuterol. Some of the drugs that could potentially interact with albuterol although not as seriously as the ones listed above include:.

And, despite advances in treatment, more than 4, people die annually as a result of asthma complications, reports AANMA. Home nebulizers are small machines that transform liquid medication into a mist form that can be inhaled deep in to the airways. Both rescue and preventive medications are available in forms that can be nebulized.

For the current study, the Michigan researchers looked at all asthma deaths that occurred between and in people between the ages of two and 34 years old. During that time period, 86 people in the specified age group died as a result of their asthma, 38 of them children.

Fifty-two people who died had a home nebulizer. The researchers found that 30 of those people used their machine regularly -- between once a week to six times a day.

Two out of three people who used their nebulizers regularly were prescribed either inhaled or oral steroids, but one out of three was using them as directed. Pulmonary function tests PFTs are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. Learn about the different types. Spirometry is an important test for your lung health.

Learn what to expect from the test and how to interpret your results. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Is Albuterol Addictive? Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Addiction vs. Dangers of overuse Signs of overuse How often should you take it? When to see a doctor Takeaway People with asthma typically use two types of inhalers to help treat their condition: Maintenance, or long-term control medications.

Rescue, or quick-relief medications. They quickly relieve asthma symptoms. They can be used during an asthma attack. Read on to learn the signs of dependence and what you can do about it. Can albuterol make you high? Dangers of overuse. Signs of overuse. How often should you use albuterol?