Albuterol long term use

Very effective and should be not a problem long term!

Its side effects are transient and works very well to open the airways. Someone with cardiovascular issues might want to discuss long term use with their physician.

@ling Well...I have used albuterol for over half my life so far - way beyond 30 years. I have been switched to levalbuterol for nebs & exacerbations, which causes less shakiness (I have essential tremors), and formoterol for daily use, but all all beta-agonists, used to open the airways. My 43 & 40 yo daughters have used them almost all their lives as well. So far no bad effects on heart, kidneys, lungs, vision, bones, etc.

Some pulmonologists are switching long-term albuterol users to a Symbicort inhaler (formoterol plus budosenide) for long term use and saving albuterol for exacerbations. Note - while there is some concern about the steroid portion, it has not affected my daughter's or my bone density at all, in spite of the fact that we must also use oral steroids for other conditions. We are both monitored annually.
Sue

I used the inhaler as needed for 20 plus years. Never liked the way it made me fill, shaky, increase heart rhythm, dried my throat out. Late November 2022 I started nebulizing with it due to being hospitalized with pneumonia. It did help open up my airways, but same effects, shaky, rapid heart rate, dry throat. My current pulmonologist just recently took me off of it & I was sure glad. Now I use Anoro & nebulize 7% sodium chloride. Some people like Albuterol because it gives them energy. Each person is different as to how they can tolerate it. Wishing you the best!

My doc ordered Anoro too, but my insurance made me try Symbicort first. Since it is working okay for now, we haven't pursued it. But like you. albuterol is not my friend! Glad there are options now - for too many years we had to live with the shakiness and thumping heart.
Sue

Hi Sue,
As always, many thanks Sue for sharing you and your daughters'
experience in using albuterol. I appreciate it very much. It is very
good to know that you have not had any side effects. My pulmonologist
told me there were no side effects, but to me first-hand evidence based practice always
weighs. I even told my pulmonologist that he has the theoretical knowledge but doesn't have real-life experience.
Many thanks again!
Take care!
Ling

Hi fraytv,
Many thanks for sharing your experience about using albuterol. And thank you for the info about Anoro. Sounds like Anoro doesn't raise the heartbeat.
It is said to be used once daily, do you only use it once? If so, could you use it once and albuterol once? Does it open the airway as albuterol does for you?

Thanks again and take care.
Ling

Anoro is once daily. I use it in the morning & use the saline in the evening. I had been using Breo for 8 years but the pulmonologist I am now seeing thought Anoro would be better than the Breo. I am now only to use Albuterol when needed. So Anoro is still new to me & I really can’t tell any difference between it & Breo (I think it has to do with the sales people & doctors). Anoro is not a rescue inhaler where as Albuterol is.

Hi,
I've used albuterol followed by sod chloride in the nebulizer 2x day for 7 yrs. Follow up with aerobics flutter & a few huffing techniques seem to help. Always feel a little shaky for 30 mins or so, but easy to deal with. I try to get 2nd treatment in late afternoon to prevent feeling shaky before going to bed or wanting to relax at night. It just becomes routine & I sometimes tell my husband "I forgot to breath. Have to go get it done!" Treatments help me tremendously for broncheactasis

Hi upnorth6,
Many thanks for sharing your experience in using albuterol. It helps to know other people's practice. It gives me comfort.

Ling