Coughing after albuterol inhaler
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Coughing After Albuterol Inhaler: Insights from Recent Research
Albuterol Inhaler and Acute Bronchitis Cough
Effectiveness in Reducing Cough
Albuterol delivered via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of coughing in patients with acute bronchitis. A study found that patients treated with albuterol were less likely to be coughing after 7 days compared to those using a placebo inhaler (61% vs. 91%, P = .02). This effect was consistent regardless of cigarette smoking status or the use of antibiotics.
Comparison with Other Treatments
In contrast, oral albuterol does not appear to be effective for acute cough in non-asthmatic children. A study involving 59 children found no significant difference in the resolution of acute cough between those treated with oral albuterol and those given a placebo. Similarly, another study in adults with acute cough also found no significant benefit from oral albuterol compared to placebo.
Albuterol and Cough During Anesthesia
Emergence from Anesthesia
Albuterol does not seem to affect the frequency or amplitude of cough during emergence from isoflurane anesthesia. A study involving 68 patients found no significant difference in the incidence of coughing between those treated with albuterol and those given a placebo. This suggests that albuterol may not be effective in preventing cough associated with anesthesia emergence.
Pediatric Tonsillectomy
However, albuterol premedication has been shown to reduce perioperative respiratory adverse events, including coughing, in children undergoing tonsillectomy. A randomized clinical trial found that children receiving albuterol had a significantly lower incidence of coughing (11.2% vs. 33.2%, P < .001) compared to those receiving a placebo. This indicates that albuterol can be beneficial in specific surgical contexts.
Albuterol and Asthma-Related Cough
Beclomethasone Aerosol Side Effects
In patients with asthma, albuterol can help mitigate the cough and wheezing associated with inhaling beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BA). Pretreatment with albuterol was found to attenuate both the cough and the drop in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) caused by BA. This suggests that albuterol can be useful in managing side effects of other inhaled medications in asthmatic patients.
Comparison with Nedocromil Sodium
For asthma symptom control, including cough, nedocromil sodium has been found to be more effective than regular inhaled albuterol. A study comparing the two treatments found that patients on nedocromil sodium had greater improvements in cough and reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This indicates that while albuterol is effective, other medications may offer superior control of asthma-related symptoms.
Conclusion
Albuterol inhalers are effective in reducing cough in patients with acute bronchitis and can mitigate side effects of other inhaled medications in asthma patients. However, its effectiveness varies depending on the context, showing limited benefit in non-asthmatic acute cough and anesthesia emergence. In pediatric surgical settings, albuterol premedication can significantly reduce perioperative respiratory adverse events, including coughing. These findings highlight the importance of context-specific application of albuterol for managing cough.
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