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- $Unique_ID{BRK03015}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{albuterol}
- $Subject{Sulfate Copley Proventil Schering Ventolin Glaxo Bronchodilator
- albuterol wheezing shortness of breath lung diseases asthma bronchitis
- emphysema muscles bronchi breathing tubes bronchospasms muscle contractions}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Proventil 2 mg*0301501.scf
- Proventil 4 mg*0301502.scf
- Ventolin 2 mg*0301503.scf
- Ventolin 4 mg*0301504.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- albuterol
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Albuterol Sulfate (Copley)
- Proventil (Schering)
- Ventolin (Glaxo)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Bronchodilator
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- albuterol
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (2 mg and 4 mg)
- Inhalation aerosol (each spray delivers 90 mcg)
- Inhalation solution (0.5%)
- Oral syrup (2 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Albuterol tablets and oral syrup should be stored at room temperature in
- a tightly closed, light-resistant container. The inhalation aerosol should be
- stored away from excessive heat--the contents are pressurized and can explode
- if heated.
-
- USES
-
- Albuterol is used to relieve wheezing and shortness of breath caused by
- lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. This drug acts
- directly on the muscles of the bronchi (breathing tubes) to relieve
- bronchospasms (muscle contractions of the bronchi), which allows air to move
- more freely to and from the lungs.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To lessen stomach upset, take albuterol tablets and oral syrup with food
- (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Each dose of oral syrup should be measured carefully with a 5-ml
- measuring spoon designed for that purpose. Ordinary kitchen teaspoons are not
- accurate enough.
- The inhalation aerosol form of this medication is usually packaged with
- an instruction sheet. Read the directions carefully before using this
- medication. You may wish to consult your doctor or pharmacist about the
- proper administration of this drug. The container should be shaken well just
- before each use. The contents tend to settle on the bottom, so it is
- necessary to shake the bottle in order to distribute the ingredients evenly
- and equalize the doses. If more than one inhalation is necessary, wait at
- least one full minute between doses, in order to receive the full benefit of
- the first dose.
- If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within an hour, take
- the missed dose immediately; then follow your regular dosing schedule for the
- next dose. If you miss the dose by more than an hour, just wait until the
- next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Anxiety, dizziness, flushing, headache, insomnia, irritability, loss of
- appetite, muscle cramps, nausea, nervousness, restlessness, sweating, tremors,
- vomiting, weakness, or dryness or irritation of the mouth or throat (from the
- inhalation aerosol). These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts
- to the medication.
- To help prevent dryness or irritation of the mouth or throat, rinse your
- mouth with water after each dose of the inhalation aerosol.
- In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, check with your doctor to
- see if you can take the last dose of this medication several hours before
- bedtime each day.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up from a sitting or
- reclining position slowly, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- chest pain, difficult or painful urination, itching, palpitations, or rash.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Albuterol interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 1. The beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol,
- nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol) antagonize (act against) this
- medication, decreasing its effectiveness.
- 2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants,
- antihistamines, levothyroxine, and over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough,
- cold, asthma, allergy, diet, and sinus medications may increase the side
- effects of this medication.
- 3. There may be a change in the dosage requirements of insulin or oral
- antidiabetic medications when albuterol is started.
- 4. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of guanethidine may be decreased
- by this medication.
- 5. The use of albuterol with other bronchodilator drugs (either oral or
- inhalant drugs) can have additive side effects. Discuss this with your
- doctor.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are taking,
- especially any listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- medications, especially to albuterol or any related drug (metaproterenol,
- terbutaline, amphetamines, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol,
- norepinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had diabetes
- mellitus, an enlarged prostate gland, epilepsy, glaucoma, heart disease, high
- blood pressure, or thyroid disease.
- * This medication can cause dizziness. Your ability to perform tasks
- that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially
- dangerous equipment, may be decreased. Appropriate caution should, therefore,
- be taken.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Do not exceed the recommended dosage of this medication; excessive use
- may lead to an increase in side effects or a loss of effectiveness.
- * Avoid contact of the aerosol inhalation with your eyes.
- * Do not puncture, break, or burn the aerosol container. The contents
- are under pressure and may explode.
- * Contact your doctor if you do not respond to the usual dose of this
- medication. It may be a sign of worsening asthma, which may require
- additional therapy.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this
- medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans, but it
- has caused side effects in the offspring of animals that received large doses
- during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.
- It is not known if albuterol passes into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-