title: Effect of Nebulized Albuterol on Serum Lactate and Potassium in Healthy Subjects.
abstract: The objectives were to determine if nebulized albuterol causes an increase in the serum lactate level compared to placebo and, secondarily, to confirm that albuterol decreases serum potassium levels compared to placebo in patients with normokalemia.
  
  
  
  This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Twenty-eight healthy adult volunteers were assigned to receive either 10 mg of nebulized albuterol or placebo (nebulized saline) over 1 hour. Serum lactate was measured prior to treatment and at 30 and 70 minutes after the start of treatment. Serum potassium level was measured prior to treatment and at 70 minutes. The primary outcome was the degree of change in lactate level. The secondary outcome was the degree of change in potassium level.
  
  
  
  In the 14 subjects who received albuterol, the mean increase in lactate was 0.77 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52 to 1.02 mmol/L), and the mean decrease in potassium level was 0.5 mEq/L (95% CI = -0.72 to -0.28 mEq/L). Among the subjects who received placebo, the lactate level decreased by 0.15 mmol/L (95% CI = -0.39 to 0.09 mmol/L) and there was no change in potassium level at (0.0 mEq/L [95% CI = -0.21 to 0.21 mEq/L]). These differences are statistically significant (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.003, respectively).
  
  
  
  Nebulized albuterol increases lactate levels and decreases potassium levels in healthy adults.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV.|University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: Tony
authors: T
authors: Zitek
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV.|University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: Nathan
authors: N
authors: Cleveland
authors: University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: Aryan
authors: A
authors: Rahbar
authors: University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Parker
authors: University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: Chee
authors: C
authors: Lim
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV.|University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Elsbecker
authors: University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: Wesley
authors: W
authors: Forred
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV.|University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
authors: David E
authors: DE
authors: Slattery
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D000420:Albuterol; D011188:Potassium