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Albuterol administration to a patient on a monoamine oxidase inhibitor

11/1/2009
Question Is it safe to treat an asthmatic who is taking Nardil with albuterol metered dose inhaler? I can find no case reports or objective evidence that inhaled B2 agonists have resulted in a hypertensive crisis. Rather, the indirect acting sympathomimetics such as ephedrine are well documented as being dangerous. Every effort is being made to control her asthma with inhaled steroids and Singulair.
Answer

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

It is unlikely that the amount of albuterol gaining access to the systemic circulation would cause great difficulty in a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as Nardil. Larger amounts, however, could at least theoretically cause difficulty, and such could theoretically be obtained by using albuterol nebulizations via compressor nebulizer. Nonetheless, I think the risk is small.
 

However, since there are many other choices for antidepressants, it would certainly be a consideration to see if this patient's antidepressant therapy could be changed, for example, perhaps to a tricyclic.

Thank you again for your inquiry and we hope this response is helpful to you.

Sincerely,
Phil Lieberman, M.D.
7205 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 200
Germantown, TN 38138
Telephone: 901-757-6100
Fax: 901-757-6109



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