mom2tbcnm Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 OK, my 5 yr old ds is normally squirrelly, but he just started taking albuterol in a breathing machine and is acting super hyper squirrelly. It's sooooo hard for him to sit still for the treatments right now. Anyone have experience with Albuterol? Is this a drug thing, or a 5yro thing. Thanks Katty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Yep, this is a common complaint with albuterol. Once you get the breathing under control, and when you don't need a nebulizer anymore, but can go to just a regular inhaler..you may ask the doctor if Xopenex has been approved for his age. It works similarly, but can reduce the jitteriness. I am just not sure if it is approved for kids yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Yes, Albuterol can do that. You could call your ped and ask if there are alternatives, but I'm not sure. It can make the heart race and some people (adults too) get hyper on it. But it's amazing for allowing one to breathe again! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Yes, my daughter used this in a nebulizer machine and when she finished it her heart was pumping and she had lots of energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeacherZee Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 (edited) My side effects actually got better when I switched to an albuterol from my bricanyl. But yeah it used to be really really bad. If I were you I would talk to the doctor about it and see if maybe a different brand would be better. Other than that:grouphug::grouphug: Edited January 21, 2009 by TeacherZee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cillakat Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 OK, my 5 yr old ds is normally squirrelly, but he just started taking albuterol in a breathing machine and is acting super hyper squirrelly. It's sooooo hard for him to sit still for the treatments right now. Anyone have experience with Albuterol? Is this a drug thing, or a 5yro thing.Thanks Katty It's a drug thing;p I have to use albuterol occasionally and can *really* feel it. It makes me incredibly fidgety...my heart races etc. I prefer xopenex, which is a specific type of albuterol: levalbuterol. It's much better from a side effect profile...ime:) Katherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2tbcnm Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks for the info! I think I will talk to my dr. This will drive me NUTS if we have to do this for an entire month. He may not make it to his next birthday. So it will benefit both of us :s Thanks again to the Hive pharmacists:) Katty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I was given some by an ER doc. last Feb. when I had pneumonia and it took only one dose for me to swear NEVER AGAIN!!! I was up all night, unable to sleep! I can believe that for some folks it is not an appropriate drug. If your son is bouncing off the walls on it, ask the doc. to prescribe something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cillakat Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Let me also add that after my first dose, I swore 'never again'. However, at the time, I had to keep taking it and had no other option....so I continued. The intensity of the side effects *decreased* over time. I did get 'used to it' to some extent.... Xopenex is much much nicer though.... :) K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 That stuff is horrid--and is ineffective in more that 80% of patients! The 'old' Albuterol used in nebulizers WILL cause hyperactivity--it stimulates the WHOLE body just as the liquid does. I agree with the other poster--there is another form of Albuterol that causes MUCH less hyperactivity. Xopenex- it can be used in young children and babies (BTDT). There is a choice when your child's airway is restricted--use the meds or risk the child not being able to breathe (or the situation in the lungs getting worse and pneumonia setting it)...I was once hesitant to use Albuterol with my middle dd when she was a baby--I did not like the stimulant effects--BUT once the Dr told me straight up that CPR does not work when the airway is constricted I decided to use the meds--it was a BLESSING with Xopenex came out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iammommy Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 My ds, 9, has asthma and he has been using Xopenex since it came out. He was so grouchy, and unhappy on albuterol. I don't see any of that on Xopenex. Hope it works out for you!:) Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelda Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 One more yup. Like she was coming out of her own skin. Liquid albuterol. She did okay with the inhaler. Sorry. :grouphug: My girl did outgrow her resp problems. It can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Yep, this is a common complaint with albuterol. Once you get the breathing under control, and when you don't need a nebulizer anymore, but can go to just a regular inhaler..you may ask the doctor if Xopenex has been approved for his age. It works similarly, but can reduce the jitteriness. I am just not sure if it is approved for kids yet. Yep, my 5 year old has used Xopenex since 4. It has no noticeable side effects for my little guy. We stated using Asthmanex (sp?) daily during times when he has trouble (fall and spring), and it helps reduce the amount the neb is used. We also keep his allergies in check which helps ALOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Youngs Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 OK, my 5 yr old ds is normally squirrelly, but he just started taking albuterol in a breathing machine and is acting super hyper squirrelly. It's sooooo hard for him to sit still for the treatments right now. Anyone have experience with Albuterol? Is this a drug thing, or a 5yro thing.Thanks Katty Holy cow, I remember those days. I wanted to tie my son up when he was on alb~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 LOL - my oldest son was 9 mos old the first time he took albuterol. Needless to say, he woke up and was PLAYING at 2am that night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in KY Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Our pediatrician cut ds's dose in half and it helped tremendously with the racing heart and the shakes (but had no effect on the efficacy of the medication itself). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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