The expected symptoms with overdosage are those of excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or occurrence or exaggeration of any of the symptoms listed under ADVERSE REACTIONS, e.g., seizures, angina, hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia with rates up to 200 beats/min, arrhythmias, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, palpitation, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, and sleeplessness. Hypokalemia may also occur. In isolated cases in children 2 to 12 years of age, tachycardia with rates >200 beats/min has been observed.

As with all sympathomimetic medications, cardiac arrest and even death may be associated with abuse of VENTOLIN Inhalation Solution. Treatment consists of discontinuation of VENTOLIN Inhalation Solution together with appropriate symptomatic therapy. The judicious use of a cardioselective 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 of VENTOLIN Inhalation Solution.

The oral median lethal dose of albuterol sulfate in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg (approximately 810 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for adults on a mg/m² basis or approximately 300 times the maximum recommended daily dose for children on a mg/m² basis). In mature rats, the subcutaneous (sc) median lethal dose of albuterol sulfate is approximately 450 mg/kg (approximately 365 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for adults on a mg/m² basis or approximately 135 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for children on a mg/m² basis). In small young rats, the sc median lethal dose is approximately 2000 mg/kg (approximately 1600 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for adults on a mg/m² basis or approximately 600 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for children on a mg/m² basis). The inhalational median lethal dose has not been determined in animals.

VENTOLIN Inhalation Solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to albuterol or any of its components.

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/17/2004
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.