Can you develop a dependency on Albuterol?

Question

I suffer from asthma and sometimes when I experience small signs of it acting up, I tend to try to fight it off. Sometimes it works and goes away. Other times when it doesn't go away, I will use my Albuterol inhaler and it will help. I'm beginning to sense when I really "need" the inhaler.

But I'm scared of developing a dependency on the inhaler so I try to fight some of the small symptoms (like chest tightness or coughing). Is this a wise thing to do? Or should I take the inhaler no matter how minor the symptom is?

Answer 1

Medically speaking, if you are using your inhaler more then every 4 hours while sick, or more then 'daily' when 'not sick', you need some intervention. That may mean a daily preventative medicine like Singulair, or Advair. Both are preventive and can be used independently or together. Advair is a disc inhaler.. Singulair is a pill approved for use ages 12 months and older. I would refrain from using your Albuterol at the slightest hint of a problem... sometimes that 'tickle' feeling in your throat that feels like the beginning of wheeze can be relieved by eating jello or something sweet... (sugar has the capability of relieving that tickle/cough feeling)..

On the flip side, it is extremely necessary to 'catch' asthma early. Do you use a peak flow meter? It is an enormously helpful tool in determining if an attack is approaching. It measures your lung function and will let you know if an attack is approaching. First you establish a baseline (starting point when you are 'healthy')..then you have a range of 'safe' numbers. Once your numbers begin to drop, you have an 'alarm' area meaning you MIGHT be starting an attack, and as you worsen, the numbers indicate you need intervention of some sort and need to call your Dr. I wish you the best of luck as asthma is truly a pain in the well.. you know what I mean.

Answer 2

Your body will never become physically dependant on albuterol, but if you are taking it often, you may start to think you NEED it when you really don't.
For instance, I began to think that I needed to take albuterol before bed because sometimes I'd wake up with chest tightness and coughing, but now it's become a habit and I can't go to sleep without using my inhaler, even if I have no symptoms.
I would suggest next time you feel the need to use your inhaler, just take one puff and the symptoms should probably go away. Also, you need to be on another daily medication like Flovent or Seravent or Advair to control your asthma so you won't need your rescue inhaler as often. Please ask your doctor about this because it really does help, and you can start viewing your albuterol inhaler as an emergency solution only.

Answer 3

yes, I believe that you can become dependant. I too have asthma and use albuterol and I would find myself reaching for my inhailer for every little wheeze. I was using the inhailer 4-5 times a day!!! that is way too much. So I would force myself to not use it unless it was urgent, and every day I was dependant on it a little less. and now I actually havent used it in a few weeks! feels great!

Answer 4

From my very own journey definite you at the instant are addicted to caffeine. i'm getting poor problems and get very irritable The sounds of human beings speaking will force me loopy. I recommend get some coffee after which you're able to wein your self down like a nil.5 a cup then another day. It definitelly sucks to be a caffeine dependant!!!!

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

Any sort of "dependency" feeling on this drug is purely perceptual, do not think along those lines,
but take the medicine as needed.

Answer 7

When taking drugs for over a long period, a person can become PSYCHOLOGICAL dependent on the drug. The mind craves for it more than the body.

Answer 8

Please see the web pages for more details on Albuterol (Salbutamol).