Can Albuterol Inhaler Overuse Cause White Tongue?

Posted on Thu, 11 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 Answered on

Sat, 27 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : can albuterol inhaler overuse cause white tongue. I do not think it is thrush as it does not bleed and I can brush it off with a firm toothbrush or scraper.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikley to be oral thrush!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I have reviewed the image and the information provided. This is not suggestive of oral thrush. Albuterol is not known to favor the onset of this. Steroids inhalers do. Do you take albuterol inhaler alone or do you also take steroids inhalers? Being able to brush it off without reporting any bleeding is suggestive of this being more of a whitish deposit than candida growth.

In all, not suggestive of thrush. Brush at least twice daily and report the progress to me. There is no need for further medical attention at this time unless something else comes up.

I hope this helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 minutes later)

thank you for your response. at this time the only medication I use albuterol inhaler and 500mg Mg. I am not taking corticosteroids any longer... about 2 years.. as my job does not offer rx coverage. this is the reason I use albuterol 4-5x/day. I realize this is overuse, yet I have continuous sx. I hope to be able to get back to advair soon, as it controlled my sx wonderfully!

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do get back on advair..it would be of great help!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.

Please, endeavor to get back on advair as soon as possible for best control of symptoms. After each advair use, rinse the mouth with water so as to prevent oral thrush.

I wish you well. Keep me posted with your progress and decision.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 minutes later)

one more query if you will. how do I prevent this "depositing"? have you ever seen this occur in non steroid inhaler use? thank youa

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Brush frequently and Rinse mouth after inhaler!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up.

Brushing frequently and rinsing the mouth after inhaling this spray would address this. Of course, should you spray white powder 5times into the mouth and not cleanse itt off, deposits would be almost unavoidable. Though rare, it is not uncommon.

Did you ever have oral thrush while using Advair?

I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Thank you. That seems as it should be intuitive. Yes, I had thrush during the first few weeks of tx with advair diskus until I developed a habit of taking it in the morning before brushing and the same at night before brushing.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Great idea from you!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this information.

I am happy to know you had personally figured out a way to do so. Keep me updated with your progress.

I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar