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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2006
12/14/06
Exhaled ethanol levels with use of certain albuterol inhalers
Summary
Background – One of the approaches used in albuterol-containing metered dose inhalers (MDI) during the phased withdrawal of CFC propellants has been the addition of small amounts of ethanol to the albuterol. The ethanol serves as a as a co-solvent in the MDI. Will this ethanol content in the inhaled albuterol affect breath analyzer testing for alcohol in drivers?
Findings – O’Connell and Beckert of Christchurch Hospital, NZ performed breath alcohol level tests sequentially after inhalation of 2 puffs of albuterol from an ethanol-containing MDI (Salamol). They found that a period of at least 3 minutes wait post Salamol inhalation is needed before the exhaled alcohol levels are no longer increased due to the Salamol treatment. The authors recommended that a 5 minute wait post Salamol inhalation is advisable before breath alcohol testing is carried out.
Reference
NZ Med J 2006;119:U2282
Editor's Comments
Although ethanol-containing MDI are not reportedly prescribed extensively in the USA, one must advise travelers using such inhalers that a “false positive” breath alcohol test may result if a suitable waiting period is not observed.
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