Unintentional Oral Beta Agonist Overdose: Case Report and Review of the Literature

An 18-month-old male infant with oral albuterol intoxication was admitted to our pediatric emergency medicine unit with agitation, moderate hypokalemia (2.36 mEq/L), and hyperglycemia (180 mg/dL). His initial electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia with a low-amplitude T waves. He was admitted for observation, intravenous hydration was started with added potassium, blood glucose levels were closely monitored along with serum potassium and magnesium, and serial electrocardiography was performed. It should be stressed that as an oral bronchodilator, albuterol does not improve symptoms of asthma, and it can lead to severe complications, which can be avoided when this drug is delivered by inhalation or by a metered dose inhaler.