Accidental (slight) OD on albuterol?

Is it even possible? I have a prescription inhaler (albuterol) but I haven't taken it in a long time, since my asthma died down. I tried taking it today (doctor's dosage (2 puffs)) for some leftover gunk in my lungs due to a recent cold. Over half an hour later, and I've got a really elevated heart rate and I can literally feel myself shaking. I'm worried that I might have taken too much, because this hasn't happened before. Is is possible that since the medication was out of my system for so long that I ended up taking too big a hit? Or am I freaking out over nothing?

Too much albuterol can, in fact, give you the shakes. However, don't worry. Calm down, try to relax, and give it some time. Within a couple of hours, you should come back to normal. I don't recommend doing this often, as it can cause problems with your heart and lungs, but you'll be ok if it was an accidental dose one time and it wasn't any more than what you said.

Not to alarm you to much...but call the ER and tell them of your symptoms...I once read a story of a Covergirl model that od'd on it so...better to be safe..Plus it doesnt hurt to ask

Is that the first time you have ever felt like that on albuterol ? Every time I have a treatment that is how I feel. I shake all over and my heart races.Its like i am speeding or something. I think you may be overeacting but for what I dont know.

Yes, you either took to much or didn't really need it when you took it. This is an extremly common reaction to an inhaler when taken as above. Nothing to worry about, it goes away on it's own. It's just super scary the first time it happens and you don't know. It has happened to me before (several times actually) and my doctor asked me about it once and I told him exactly what you said. He confirmed for me what I already suspected. Just relax, you're fine!

Yes too many puffs can give you the shakes, anxiety, and heeby jeebys. It is the same as an adrenalin rush. It will go away in a couple hours. Don't take more than two puffs. Evidently it won't kill you because you are reading this.

Im on xopenex a similiar drug to albuterol and i have been on albuterol. These side effects are very common with a few hours you should be back to normal. I have the same side effects, heart rate increased and hand shakes. The thing is not every treatment will do it. Some i get it and some i dont. So if this is the first time it has happened dont be to alarmed. If it continues ask your doctor about xopenex, advair or something like that.

A friend followed Dr order 2 puffs, 4x a day Had a ruptured arota is now in a home for the disabled Another friend followed Drs orders and had a stroke, his left side is useless. When my BP went up from Albuterol, a swelling in my shoulders, shaking, extreme charley horses etc I stopped taking it Went thru similar crap with flovent, combivent and xopenex

You did not OD. You took the normal dose. Your side effects are normal for albuterol and will go away within a few hours max. You are more likely to get side effects if you haven't used albuterol in a while. When you use it a lot your body decreases the number of albuterol receptors. When you stop using it your body increases the number of albuterol receptors. So there are a lot of receptors now in you creating more side effects.



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