Typically, when a person is allergic to a medication, the same set of symptoms occur. These include breathing difficulties, possible swelling of tissues, and skin rashes. Those who are allergic to albuterol should not take the drug at all, as these reactions can be very dangerous. As well as the potential for allergy, albuterol, a medicine for lung problems like asthma, can cause a variety of side effects.
Albuterol is a drug that works on the muscles of the inside of the lungs. Some medical conditions cause people to have trouble taking in and expelling a normal amount of air. Albuterol relaxes the muscles of the passageways of the lungs, and allows more air to move through, thus relieving the breathing problems. Examples of conditions that are treatable with albuterol include asthma, emphysema or bronchitis. People suffering from these conditions can take the drug through an oral form, like a tablet or syrup, or through an inhaler, so the drug gets directly to the location it works on.
Allergies form a normal part of everyday society, from lactose intolerance to celiac disease. In contrast, a person who becomes allergic to albuterol, or another type of medication, is at risk of critical disease. This is because what is commonly referred to as allergy in society is not technically the same as an allergic reaction in medicine. Doctors would say that a person is allergic to albuterol if he or she showed distinctive signs of a severe allergic reaction, that can be life-threatening.
These signs include a swelling up of tissues, especially those of the face. The mouth, tongue and entire face can become swollen up, and this can sometimes prevent the person from breathing properly. An affected person, who typically is unaware he or she is allergic to albuterol, can experience pain in the chest and a feeling of being unable to breathe. Changes in the skin is another warning sign, with the allergic reaction producing itchiness, hives and rashes.
Often medicinal products also contain other ingredients. This may be another biologically active substance, or it could be an ingredient to keep the medicine stable. Alternatively, the extra ingredient may be a bulking agent, such as lactose monohydrate. If a patient who is thinking of taking albuterol has a history of allergies, he or she should be careful that the albuterol product doesn't contain any substances that may cause an allergic reaction.
