Salbutamol-induced severe lactic acidosis in acute asthma

Selective beta-adrenoceptor agonists are worldwide prescribed to manage bronchial obstruction. However, they expose to a potential risk of hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis even with normal doses. The mechanism still poorly understood and suggested that salbutamol diverts the metabolism of pyruvate acid from Krebs cycle toward lactate formation. We report the case of a 42-year-old patient, admitted to intensive care unit for acute severe asthma. He presented a transient lactic acidosis over the first 48 h, following an excessive use of salbutamol. The metabolic acidosis caused tachypnea, as a compensatory mechanism, leading to respiratory failure. The diagnosis of salbutamol-induced lactic acidosis must be made by elimination and only accepted after deleting the other causes. The main clinical character is the worsening of dyspnea despite regression of bronchospasm. It is transient and usually normalizes within 24-48 h after stopping or decreasing doses of salbutamol.