Free East Timor: albuterol

al-BUE-ter-ol

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Proventil

Proventil Repetabs

Ventolin

Volmax

VoSpire ER

In Canada

Apo-Salvent Inhaler

Available Dosage Forms:

Tablet

Syrup

Tablet, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Bronchodilator

Pharmacologic Class: Sympathomimetic

Uses For albuterol

Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm or wheezing in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease, such as asthma.

Albuterol belongs to the family of medicines known as adrenergic bronchodilators. Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

albuterol is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using albuterol

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For albuterol, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to albuterol or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of albuterol in children 2 years of age and older.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of albuterol in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving albuterol.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking albuterol, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using albuterol with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acebutolol

Alprenolol

Arotinolol

Atenolol

Atomoxetine

Befunolol

Betaxolol

Bevantolol

Bisoprolol

Bopindolol

Brofaromine

Bucindolol

Bupranolol

Carteolol

Carvedilol

Celiprolol

Clorgyline

Dilevalol

Esmolol

Furazolidone

Iproniazid

Isocarboxazid

Labetalol

Landiolol

Lazabemide

Levobetaxolol

Levobunolol

Linezolid

Mepindolol

Metipranolol

Metoprolol

Moclobemide

Nadolol

Nebivolol

Nialamide

Nipradilol

Oxprenolol

Pargyline

Penbutolol

Phenelzine

Pindolol

Procarbazine

Propranolol

Rasagiline

Selegiline

Sotalol

Talinolol

Tertatolol

Timolol

Toloxatone

Tranylcypromine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of albuterol

Use albuterol only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking albuterol or any asthma medicine without telling your doctor. To do so may increase the chance for breathing problems.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole with water or liquids. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Dosing

The dose of albuterol will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of albuterol. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For treatment of bronchospasm:
- For oral dosage form (syrup, tablets):
  - Adults and children older than 12 years of age—2 or 4 milligrams (mg) taken 3 or 4 times per day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed up to a maximum of 32 mg per day, divided and given 4 times per day.
  - Children 6 to 12 years of age—2 mg taken 3 or 4 times per day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed up to a maximum dose of 24 mg per day, divided and given 4 times per day.
  - Children 2 to 6 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 0.1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per dose, given 3 times per day, and each dose will not be more than 2 mg. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed up to a maximum dose of 12 mg per day, divided and given 3 times a day.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your child's doctor.
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
  - Adults and children older than 12 years of age—8 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed up to a maximum of 32 mg per day, divided and given every 12 hours.
  - Children 6 to 12 years of age—4 mg every 12 hours. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed up to a maximum dose of 24 mg per day, divided and given every 12 hours.
  - Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your child's doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of albuterol, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using albuterol

It is very important that your doctor check your progress or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.

albuterol may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your breathing or wheezing will get worse. Paradoxical bronchospasm may be life-threatening. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using albuterol.

You or your child may also be taking an antiinflammatory medicine, such as a steroid, together with albuterol. Do not stop taking the antiinflammatory medicine, even if your asthma seems better, unless you are told to do so by your doctor.

Albuterol may cause allergic reactions. Stop using the medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child develop a skin rash, hives, itching, swelling, or any type of allergic reaction after taking albuterol.

Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using albuterol. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of the following symptoms: convulsions; decreased urine; dry mouth; increased thirst; irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; mood changes; muscle pain or cramps; nausea or vomiting; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips; shortness of breath; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

albuterol Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

Less common

Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

Rare

Cough

difficulty breathing

difficulty with swallowing

hives or welts

hoarseness

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

noisy breathing

redness of the skin

shortness of breath

skin rash

slow or irregular breathing

swelling of the mouth or throat

tightness in the chest

wheezing

Incidence not known

Agitation

anxiety

arm, back, or jaw pain

blurred vision

chest pain or discomfort

confusion

convulsions

extra heartbeats

fainting

hallucinations

headache

irritability

lightheadedness

mood or mental changes

muscle pain or cramps

muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities

nervousness

nightmares

pounding in the ears

restlessness

sudden loss of consciousness

sweating

total body jerking

unusual feeling of excitement

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Dizziness

feeling of warmth

irritability

nausea

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

sleeplessness

trouble with holding or releasing urine

trouble sleeping

unable to sleep

Rare

Sleepiness

unusual drowsiness

Incidence not known

Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste

change in taste

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

gagging

rough, scratchy sound to voice

sensation of spinning

tightness in the throat

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: albuterol side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More albuterol resources

Albuterol Side Effects (in more detail)
Albuterol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Drug Images
Albuterol Drug Interactions
Albuterol Support Group
34 Reviews for Albuterol - Add your own review/rating

Albuterol Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Albuterol Monograph (AHFS DI)

Albuterol Prescribing Information (FDA)

Albuterol MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

AccuNeb Solution MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Accuneb Prescribing Information (FDA)

Airet Solution MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

ProAir HFA Aerosol MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

ProAir HFA Prescribing Information (FDA)

Proventil Aerosol MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Proventil Consumer Overview

Proventil HFA Prescribing Information (FDA)

Proventil HFA Aerosol MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Proventil Repetabs Controlled-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Ventolin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Ventolin Consumer Overview

Vospire ER Extended-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare albuterol with other medications

Asthma, acute
Asthma, Maintenance
Bronchospasm Prophylaxis
COPD, Acute
COPD, Maintenance

Free East Timor

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

albuterol