Things to Know if Your Child is Prescribed With Albuterol for Asthma

Kids who are generally healthy have their bronchial tubes relaxed and open which basically allows the air to flow in and out with ease. Sometimes however due to illness, the muscle that is known to be around the bronchial tubes are known to react by squeezing tight which in-turn leads to the airways becoming smaller. This is when it becomes hard for the air to flow in and out which is why kids start making a wheezing sound while they breathe. They are known to cough more and try to get the air forcefully out through small pipes.

Albuterol is considered to be a medication that is known to help in these situations. The medicine is used as a bronchodilator which basically helps in opening up the tight airway passages. This is achieved by relaxing the muscle that is known to surround the airways. This particular medication is specially used in cases of asthma. However, it is also known to prescribe for other conditions as well.

How long does a child need Albuterol?

Generally, the medication is administered as long as the child has the wheezing sound. For other illnesses that are known to run their course like bad colds, the medication is prescribed for a week. On the off chance the child is frequently exposed to certain things that lead to wheezing like anumal dander or cigarette smoke then it may look like the child would need this medication all the time. In such scenarios, the best thing would be to get rid of the thing triggering the effect.

How often should one use Albuterol?

Generally, this medication should be given either through an inhaler or any other necessary device every four to six hours. One should give this medicine in case of hacking, dry cough especially the cough that takes place during the nighttime. The medicine can also be given if you hear your child’s breathing getting harder or if they make that wheezing sound. Unlike the other medicines that are available out there Albuterol is considered to be one of the safest. The medicine can be started instantly when acute relief is necessary, should be tapered as and when the child improves and completely stopped when they are better. However, if your child does need it on a frequent basis for like more than a day or two or if your child is constantly having those wheezing spells then they might require other medication in order to get better.

An important thing to remember out here would be the fact that this particular medication simply helps one cause of a cough which is tight airways. The medicine will have no effect if the child is suffering from any other kind of a cough. Take for example your child is coughing from the nasal drainage which might have been caused due to a bad cold in which case Albuterol will prove to be ineffective.

What side effects does Albuterol have?

Most of the kids are known to face absolutely no problem. They usually deal well with it. However, the most common side effect would include flushing, rapid heartbeat and jitters as well. In some of the kids, the jitters seem to get hyperactive. However, for most of the kids, these side effects are known to wear off after around 10 to 15 minutes. If however, the child suffers from these side effects for a longer period of time then they need to be taken to the doctor immediately.

Should a child consume Albuterol through an inhaler or nebulizer machine?

Generally, inhalers are known to work perfectly for these situations especially the ones with masks and spacers. Inhalers are known to be more convenient than nebulizer machines because they can be administered within a minute. Taking a few puffs from the inhaler might get the job done. Occasionally there might be situations whereby a breathing treatment might work better. However, if the parent is unsure about which method would be appropriate for their child in which case they should definitely consult a doctor to find out the best possible way of giving it to their child.

Does it mean that your child has asthma?

It is pertinent to know that not every child that makes the wheezing noise has asthma. Many of the toddlers and infants are known to wheeze when they are suffering from a bad cold or some other respiratory virus. However, this wheezing is known to stop automatically once they grow up and start going to school. There are children who have wheezing spells as early as infants who do have asthma. Even if their situation is known to improve over the years, they still continue to have constant flare-ups from time to time. Doctors do not usually diagnose asthma simply based on one or two wheezing spells or episodes as a toddler or a baby.

Kids who actually suffer from real asthma do tend to have other allergic symptoms like food allergies, eczema, and allergic rhinitis. Usually one of their family members is also suffering from this disease. Kids who suffer from asthma do also tend to suffer from a persistent cough even when they have not caught a cold or any other form of illness.

What about liquid Albuterol is given by mouth?

This particular medication is also known to come in a liquid form which can be given orally by mouth. Few of the doctors are also known for utilizing this particular method with babies. There are various studies and researches that however prove that this method is not nearly as effective as inhaling the same. This is why most of the pediatricians do not use this method nowadays. It is also seen that oral liquid Albuterol is known to have more side effects when compared to the inhaled method.

What about Xopenex?

Xopenex is a kind of Albuterol that is more concentrated than the regular Albuterol. There are various studies which show that the side effects of taking Xopenex may be much lesser than taking regular Albuterol. However, Xopenex is actually ten times more expensive than regular Albuterol which seems to work out just fine.

To conclude we can say that taking Albuterol to solve the cough problems would actually be a wise choice. However one needs to remember that if the symptoms do not actually stop then they need to take their child to a doctor immediately.

Is it safe to use inhaler for kids?

Inhalers can be safe and effective for children when used as prescribed by a healthcare professional, especially for managing conditions like asthma. Albuterol inhalers, for example, are commonly prescribed to children with asthma to relieve symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Here are some key points to consider:

• It's crucial to teach your child the correct inhaler technique. This ensures that they receive the medication effectively. Proper technique involves coordinating the inhalation with the actuation of the inhaler. A spacer device can be helpful for young children to improve delivery of the medication.
• Younger children may require supervision when using an inhaler to ensure they are using it correctly. Make sure they understand how to use it and that they are using it as directed.
• Educate your child about their condition, triggers, and the importance of using the inhaler as prescribed.