Albuterol Sulfate for congestion in 18m old?

KacieLeigh

I rarely post on this board, but I wanted to see if anyone else has used this.  DD2 has been sick since Monday and although her fever is gone, her cough and congestion is getting worse.   The drainage is making her throw up snot CONSTANTLY.  She's miserable and not sleeping at all.  Our pedi gave us a prescription for Albuterol Sulfate Syrup (2mg/5ml) and is having us give her 1cc 3x/daily.  Has anyone else gotten this and has it been effective?  The side effects of this stuff make me want question giving it to her - but she is honestly having trouble breathing from the congestion. 

 As a sidenote:  we are using a vapor humidifier, propping her up, and suctioning her nose.  None of it has made a difference all week!

anonsouthernbell

Liquid albuterol is worthless...they stopped Rx that about 19-15 yrs ago.  Ds received a rx for that from a local urgent care place once and both my aunt, who is a ped., and our pediatrician told me that.  They said that they get all of the side effects w.o the benefits.  Our pediatrician did rx albuterol but it was in the form of an inhaler if I recall correctly.  Hope your LO feels better soon!

vlahop

We had an albuterol inhaler last year for both my twin girls.  Their oxygen levels were measured before and after the doses were given and the oxygen levels went up with both of them.  They had bronchiolitis bad.  I cannot recall if I saw an actual difference in them quickly, but their oxygen levels increasing were enough to make me give it to them.

 Good luck!  I hope your LO feels better soon.

pitterpatter129

I've never heard of liquid albuterol, but we have a nebulizer with albuterol that works  well.  Based on pp suggestion that they don't prescribe this anymore, I might get a second opinion if I were you.

 

missmuffin87

We've also used the nebulizer with albuterol. It's very effective. Her breathing was completely normal in less than 2 days.

kristen47

My 14 month old has been doing 2-8 nebulizer treatments daily since he was about 8 months old.  He has asthma that is brought on by colds, changes in the weather, and mild allergies.  Without it is sounds awful!  So, in my opinion, it is pretty effective and safe!  His pulmonologist says he can hear the difference right after a treatment in the doctor's office.

Mrs.Saxy

I was also going to say liquid albuterol is pointless

 

she needs breathing treatments of xopenex (zo-pin-ex) and pulmicort. Both my DSs had plenty of those prior to 1 year old. I prefer xopenex over albuterol because the albuterol wires my kids.

Did they do an xray to check for pneumonia? 

cemacmil

Hey -

A mom and a respiratory therapist here. Nebulized albuterol is very effective in kids with you - I have NEVER heard of liquid though....I agree that the side effects along with anything more syrup-y will just make congestion possibly worse.

Ask about a nebulizer or inhaler. If you have concerns about your LO's heart-rate ask about Xopenex, it can be via inhaler or nebulized, but does cost more the major difference is it has less effect on the heart rate. Both equally effective in clearing up infections and/or respiratory flare ups.

Also - I forget your sig - but if you can back off any formula/milk for a couple days and try to get her nutrients there via cereal or rice crackers or biscuts it might help. As well as we tell everyone - water is the best oral mucolytic if your LO will drink it. I agree with a chest x-ray if you haven't already, and if you have a mini back massager (those counter $5 battery ones) use it on her back where her lungs are and it will keep things moving as well.

mattsgirl515

DS has used the nebulizer with albuterol off and on since he was about 6 months. i notice a difference within a couple of days.

betheppert

I loved the liquid Albuterol- it definitely helped my DS with his upper respiratory infection. My DS hates the inhalers- we literally had to pin him down to get him to use it so the liquid was a life saver. My Ped gave us a choice though.