[mcfarland_ryan23]

Any thing I should now about taking albuteral, or should I know anything about taking to much? Thanks

[orbust]

Albuterol is an oral steroid, taking any steroid in overdose for prolonged periods of time can have adverse health affects. Adverse effects of prolonged use of oral steroids such as Albuterol include cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis, diabetes, fluid retention, susceptibility to infections, weight gain, hypertension, capillary fragility, acne, excess hair growth, wasting of the muscles, menstrual irregularities, irritability, insomnia, and psychosis. Osteoporosis is a common and particularly severe long-term side effect of prolonged steroid use.

Other than that, as long as you follow the directions and don't TAKE TOO MUCH. Everything should be fine. If you have acute asthma and are using the inhaler to prevent attacks, your treating your asthma in the wrong way. Inhalers are best used to remedy an unavoidable attack for acute sufferers who should be taking other medicine to prevent attacks. Talk to a doctor.

[Gina-MI]

Albuteral is NOT, I repeat NOT a steroid! Orburst is right in one regard, though...if you're on steroids of any kind, make sure you check your blood sugar (or have it checked). I'm on 20-30 mg/prednisone/day for, well, what started out as COPD, and might just be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (the pulmonary function tests not only took a nosedive south (most of the readings went from 75% of predicted to 20-30% of predicted, and took a major shift towards restrictive disease rather than obstructive). I'll know more in a couple weeks after I see the pulmo to have him interpret the HRCT.

At any rate, steroids tend to make after eating blood glucose readings nuts. Fasting is usually ok, but during the day - well...my averages are 160, although my A1C, which is the 'gold standard' to tell how well you've been under control for 3 months, is right where it should be - 6%. Inspite of readings in the 200-400 range at times!