Case Report

Paradoxical Bronchospasm: A Potentially Life Threatening Adverse Effect of Albuterol

Authors: Kalpana Raghunathan, MD, Nagapradeep Nagajothi, MD

Abstract

We report a case of paradoxical bronchospasm to both levalbuterol and albuterol. While the exact mechanism for this known adverse effect of albuterol is not known, awareness of this adverse effect can be life saving to the patient. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of paradoxical bronchospasm to levalbuterol inhalation solution.


Key Points


* Paradoxical bronchospasm is a known adverse effect of albuterol and can be life threatening.


* Paradoxical bronchospasm can occur with levalbuterol as well as racemic albuterol.


* In patients with bronchospastic response to racemic albuterol, levalbuterol should be used with extreme caution or if possible, avoided.

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