Can albuterol make cough worse
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Can Albuterol Make Cough Worse?
Albuterol and Acute Cough in Non-Asthmatic Children
Research indicates that albuterol does not effectively reduce the frequency or duration of acute cough in non-asthmatic children. In a study involving 59 non-asthmatic children with acute cough, those treated with oral albuterol did not experience a significant reduction in cough compared to those given a placebo. However, the albuterol group did report more side effects such as shaking or trembling Bernard1999Bernard2007.
Albuterol and Acute Cough in Adults
Similarly, in adults with acute cough, albuterol has not shown significant benefits. A randomized controlled trial with 104 adults found no difference in cough severity, reduction in sleepless nights, or return to full activity between those treated with albuterol and those given a placebo. The albuterol group did report more side effects, including shakiness and nervousness .
Albuterol and Cough in COPD Patients
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), albuterol has been found to reduce the incidence of wheezing and recurrent cough during the perioperative period. A study involving 120 smoking patients with COPD showed that those treated with albuterol spray had fewer instances of wheezing and recurrent cough compared to those given a placebo .
Albuterol and Cough During Anesthesia Emergence
Albuterol does not appear to affect the frequency or amplitude of cough during emergence from anesthesia. A study involving 68 patients found that the incidence of cough did not differ between those treated with albuterol and those given a placebo. This suggests that albuterol does not prevent cough during the emergence from anesthesia .
Albuterol and Persistent Cough in Asthma
In cases of persistent cough associated with asthma, albuterol may provide some relief, although it is not always effective. For instance, a case study of a 3-year-old female with persistent nonproductive cough showed that albuterol helped somewhat but not consistently . Another study indicated that pretreatment with albuterol could attenuate cough and wheezing caused by beclomethasone aerosol in asthmatic patients .
Conclusion
Overall, while albuterol is effective in reducing wheezing and recurrent cough in COPD patients, it does not significantly reduce acute cough in non-asthmatic children or adults. Additionally, it does not prevent cough during anesthesia emergence. In asthmatic patients, albuterol may help with persistent cough, but its effectiveness can vary. Therefore, while albuterol can be beneficial in specific contexts, it is not universally effective for all types of cough and may sometimes lead to side effects such as shaking and nervousness.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
The Effect of Albuterol Spray on Hypoxia and Bronchospasm in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) under General Anesthesia: A bouble-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial
Albuterol spray effectively reduces wheezing and recurrent cough before induction of anesthesia in COPD patients with smoking habits, without significant side effects.
Cough During Emergence from Isoflurane Anesthesia
Cough is frequent during emergence from anesthesia, with smoking and albuterol treatment not affecting the occurrence of cough, and patients are unlikely to cough at end-tidal isoflurane concentrations above 0.6%.
A randomized controlled trial of oral albuterol in acute cough.
Oral albuterol is ineffective and may cause increased shakiness and nervousness in unselected patients with acute, nonspecific cough.
Implications of persistent cough in a 3-year-old female.
A 3-year-old female with persistent nonproductive cough was diagnosed with mild persistent asthma and treated with albuterol, beclomethasone, and other medications.
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