Republic of the Philippines

Cebu Normal University

Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City, 6000 Philippines

College of Nursing
Center of Excellence (COE) | Level IV Re-Accredited
(AACCUP) Telephone No.: (032) 254 4837
Email: cn@cnu.edu.ph/secretary@cnunursing.org
Website: www.cnu.edu.ph

DRUG STUDY

Patient’s Initials: Date of Admission: Diagnosis:

Age: Height/Weight: Clinical Intervention:
Sex: Ward: Bed No.: Name of Physician:

Nursing
Name of Drug Classification Mechanism of Action Indication Contraindication Side Effects
Responsibilities

Generic Name Pharmacologic Class: Binds to beta2 – adrenergic General Indications: Contraindicated in CNS: Nervousness, Before:
Albuterol Sympathomimetic receptors in airway smooth Treatment or prevention of hypersensitivity to restlessness, tremor,  Assess lung
(Adrenergic agonist) muscle, leading to bronchospasm in asthma or adrenergic amines. headache, insomnia (Pedi: sounds, pulse, and
Trade Name activation of adenyl cyclase chronic obstructive occurs more frequently in BP before
Accuneb, Airomir, Proair Therapeutic Class: and increased levels of pulmonary disease (COPD). Precaution: young children than adults), administration and
HFA, Proair Respiclick, Bronchodilators cyclic-3’ , 5’ – adenosine Use cautiously in Cardiac hyperactivity in children. during peak of
Proventil HFA, Salbutamol, mononphosphate (cAMP). Inhaln: Prevention of disease; Hypertension; medication. Note
Ventolin HFA, Ventolin Pregnancy risk category: Increases in cAMP activate exercise-induced Hyperthyroidism; CV: Chest pain, amount, color, and
Diskus, Ventolin Nebules, Pregnancy risk category C kinases, which inhibit the bronchospasm. Diabetes;Glaucoma; palpitations, anginga, character of
VoSpire ER phosphorylation of myosin Seizure disorders; Excess arrhythmias, hypertension. sputum produced.
and decrease intracellular PO: Used as a long-term inhaler use may lead to  Monitor
Content calcium. Decreased control agent in patients tolerance and paradoxical GI: Nausea, vomiting. pulmonary
Albuterol Sulfate intracellular calcium relaxes with chronic/persistent bronchospasm function tests
smooth muscle airways. bronchospasm. Endo: Hyperglycemia before initiating
Form Relaxation of airway OB, Lactation, Pedi: therapy and
Tablet, Extended-release smooth muscle with Safety not established for MS: Muscle cramps, periodically during
tablet, Syrup, Metered-dose subsequent bronchodilation. pregnant women, and Feeling of muscle tension. therapy.
aerosol, Inhalation solution, Relatively selective for children < 2 yr  Observe for
Powder for inhalation beta2 (pulmonary) F and E: Hypokalemia paradoxical
receptors. Geri:  risk of adverse bronchospasm
Minimum Dosage reactions; may require dose Neuro: Tremor. (wheezing). If
Adults – 2 mg 3 – 4 times Therapeutic effects:  . May be more sensitive condition occurs,
daily Relieves bronchospasm and to tremor or tachycardia due RESP: Paradoxical withhold
Geriatric – 2 mg 3 – 4 time
daily
Pediatric
 2-6 yr : 1 mg daily
 6-12 yr : 2 mg
three times daily
 Over 12 yr : 2 mg
three times daily
Maximum Dosge
Adults – 8mg 3 – 4 times
daily
Pediatric
 2-6 yr : 2 mg 3 – 4
times daily
 6 – 12 yr : 2 mg 4
times daily
 Over 12 yr : 2 mg
3- 4 times daily
Availability
Tablet – 2 mg, 4 mg
Extended-Release Tablets
– 4 mg, 8 mg
Oral Syrup – 2 mg/5 mL
Metered-dose aerosol – 90
mcg/inhalation in 6.7-g, 8-
g, 8.5-g and 18-g canisters
(200 metered inhalations),
100 mcg/spray
Inhalation solution – 0.63
mg/3 mL (0.21%), 1.25
mg/3 mL (0.042%), 2.5
mg/3 mL (0.083%), 1
mg/mL, 2 mg/mL, 5mg/mL
(0.5%)
Powder for Inhalation
(Proair Respiclick) – 90
mcg/inhalation (200
metered inhalations)
(Ventolin Diskus) – 200
mcg
Routes of Administration
PO, PO-ER, Inhaln
reduces airway resistance.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Well absorbed
in GI tract after oral
administration, rapidly
absorbed from bronchi after
inhalation but rapidly
undergoes extensive
metabolism.
Distribution: Small
amounts appear in breast
milk
Metabolism &Excretion:
Extensively metabolized by
the liver and other tissues.
Onset
PO – 15-30 min
PO-ER – 30 min
Inaln – 5-15 min
Peak
PO – 2-3 hr
PO-ER – 2-3 hr
Inhaln – 60-90 min
Duration
PO – 4-6 hr or more
PO-ER – 12 hr
Inhaln – 3-6 hr
Half-life
Oral – 2.7 – 5 hr
Inhalation – 3.8 hr
to age-related increased
sympathetic sensitivity.
Drug interactions
Drug-Drug : Concurrent
use with other adrenergic
agents will have 
adrenergic side effects. Use
with MAO inhibitors may
lead to hypertensive crisis.
Beta blockers may negate
therapeutic effect. May 
serum digoxin levels.
Cardiovascular effects are
potentiated in patient
receiving tricyclic
antidepressants. Risk of
hypokalemia  concurrent
use of potassium-losing
diuretics. Hypokalemia 
the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Drug-Herbal: Use with
caffeine-containing herbs
(cola nut, guarana, tea,
coffee)  stimulant effect.
St. John’s wort may
decrease level/effects.
Ephedra, yohimbe may
cause CNS stimulation
Drug-Lab: May increase
blood glucose level. May
decrease serum potassium
level.
bronchospasm (excessive medication and
use of inhalers). notify health care
professional
immediately.
 Lab Test
considerations:
May cause
transient  in
serum potassium
concentrations
with nebulization
or higher-than-
recommended
doses.
During:
 PO: Administer oral
medication with meals
to minimize gastric
irritation.
 Extended-release
tablets should be
swallowed whole; do
not break, crush, or
chew.
 Inhaln: Shake inhaler
well, allow at least 1
min between
inhalations of aerosol
medication. Prime
inhaler and release 4
test sprays. Proair
Respiclick does not
require priming.
 Nebulization or IPPB,
the 0.5-, 0.83-, 1-, and
2- mg/mL solutions
do not require dilution
before administration.
The 5mg /mL
( 0.5%) solution
must be diluted
with 1–2.5 mL of
0.9% NaCl for
inhalation. Diluted
solutions are stable
for 24 hr at room
 temperature or 48
hr if refrigerated.
 For nebulizer,
compressed air or
oxygen flow should
be 6-10 L/min; a
single treatment of 3
mL lasts about 10
min.

After:
 Instruct patient to take
albuterol as directed.
 If on a scheduled
dosing regimen, take
missed dose as soon
as remembered,
spacing remaining
doses at regular
intervals.
 Do not double dose or
increase the dose or
frequency of doses.
Caution patient not to
exceed recommended
dose; may cause
adverse effects,
paradoxical
bronchospasm, or loss
of effectiveness of
medication.
 Instruct patient to
contact health care
professional
immediately if
shortness of breath is
not relieved by
medication or is
accompanied by
diaphoresis, dizziness,
palpitations, or chest
pain.
 Instruct patient to
notify health care
professional of all Rx
or OTC medications,
 vitamins, or herbal
products being taken
and to consult health
care professional
before taking any
OTC medications or
alcoholic beverages
concurrently with this
therapy.
Source: Pinewood Source: Kizior & Hodgson, Source: Kizior & Hodgson, Source: Vallerand, Source: Vallerand,
Healthcare, 2016 ; 2018 Vallerand, Source: Kizior & Hodgson, Source: Kizior & Hodgson, 2018; Vallerand, Sanosky ,& Quiring, 2019 Sanosky ,& Quiring, 2019
Vallerand, Sanosky ,& Sanosky ,& Quiring, 2019; 2018; Vallerand, 2018; Vallerand, Sanosky ,& Quiring, 2019
Quiring, 2019 Sanosky ,& Quiring, 2019 Sanosky ,& Quiring, 2019
Drug Study Scoring 10 pts.
Name of Drug 1 pts.
Classification 1 pts.
Mechanism of Action 1 pts.
Indication 1 pts.
Contraindication 1 pts.
Side Effects 1 pts.
Nursing Responsibilities 3 pts.
Sources 1 pts. (at least 2 references)
Scoring System Criterion Reference: 70%