Albutorol for Pneumonia Albuterol and other bronchodilators are often useful for respiratory infections even if someone does not have asthma. This is because there is a general improvement in overall respiratory system resistance as well as some effect on the cellular inflammatory process and in helping to clear fluid accumulation. Assuming there are no other contraindications such as cardiac problems.
Caveats: Do not buy over the counter inhalers. These drugs are useful but powerful and potentially dangerous if you don’t know about dosage, side effect etc.
Do not exceed maximum recommended dose.
Do not combine one inhaled medicine with another without medical advice as the drugs may have synergistic effects so you may be overdosing inadvertently.
Do not use inhaled steroids with infections unless under medical advice.
Mechanism (by rrteacher) : Increased airway conductance can be produced in healthy individuals with albuterol or other beta2-agonists, though it might not be preceptable. In the compromized individual, (AF) with high ventilation demands (AF) and increased work of breathing, (Again AF), even small increases would make a difference. Decreasing the airway diameter by 1/2 increases the pressure required to move gas through that airway by a factor of 4. Besides improved conductance, beta2 drugs, like albuterol, pirbuterol, levalbuterol, etc provide a broncho-protective action. Keeping the airway honest in the face of increased stress, high or dry (or both) gas flows and possibly anything new this atypical bug might have to offer. OTC stuff (AsthmaNefrin, Primatene) is actually epinephrine, (adrenalin in a can). Those could be used if there is nothing else available.
rrteacher Inhaled steroids are very topical in effect and have very little side effects, (other than Candida in your mouth if you don’t rinse). Asthmacort has been extensively tested and was the first glucocorticoid to be approved for children. I would not stop using it. There is evidence that besides decreasing inflammation, inhaled steroids also increase the receptiveness of beta receptors, (making your albuterol more effective). Systemic steroids, (prednisone, methylprednisolone, etc.) have not shown to be beneficial in pneumonia or ARDS and should probably be avoided.
rrteacher
Anticholinergics,(Atrovent, Spiriva, Atropine), work differently than beta drugs, but would provide equal bronchoprotection and work well in synergy with betas. Again only to minimize work of breathing and airway complications. Risk=minimal, Benefit+some. But again, only MDIs with a holding chamber (better delivery and improved containment of aerosol stray particles) or dry powders. Nebulizers should be avoided. Combivent would be a good choice, as it contains albuterol and ipratropium, (Atrovent).