The expected symptoms with overdosage are those of excessive beta-stimulation and/or any of the symptoms listed under ADVERSE REACTIONS, e.g., seizures, angina, hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia with rates up to 200 beats per minute, arrhythmias, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, palpitation, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, and insomnia. Hypokalemia may also occur. As with all sympathomimetic aerosol medication, cardiac arrest and even death may be associated with abuse of MAXAIR (pirbuterol) AUTOHALER.

Treatment consists of discontinuation of pirbuterol together with appropriate symptomatic therapy. The judicious use of acardioselective beta-receptor blocker may be considered, bearing in mind that such medication can produce bronchospasm. There is insufficient evidence to determine if dialysis is beneficial for overdosage.

The oral median lethal dose of pirbuterol dihydrochloride in mice and rats is greater than 2000 mg/kg (approximately 3400 and 6800 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for adults on a mg/m² basis).

MAXAIR (pirbuterol) AUTOHALER is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to pirbuterol or any of its ingredients.

Last reviewed on RxList: 11/24/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.