Albuterol

From PharmDatabase.org

Generic name: Albuterol
Brand names: Proventil, Proventil Repetabs, Ventolin, Volmax
Related Medical Conditions: Asthma, Bronchospasm, Chronic Bronchitis, Wheezing
Related Groups: Antiasthmatic, Anti-Inflammatory, Beta-Agonist, Bronchodilator

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Albuterol Articles

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Contents 1 What is Albuterol? 2 Albuterol Usage and Dosage 3 Albuterol Side Effects 4 Other Drugs Interaction 5 Albuterol Storage 6 Articles

What is Albuterol?

Albuterol works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. It is used to treat bronchospasm (wheezing, shortness of breath) associated with reversible obstructive airway disease such as asthma. Albuterol is in a class of medications called beta-agonists. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

Albuterol may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.

Albuterol Usage and Dosage

Take albuterol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid forms of albuterol with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Do not break, crush, or chew the Volmax or Proventil Repetabs tablets. These are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body. The Volmax tablets have an outer shell that is not absorbed by the body. Occasionally, this shell may be seen in the stool. This is not a problem as the medication has been absorbed by the body.

Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

The dose of these medicines 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 these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of inhalations or the amount of medicine that you use 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 taking the adrenergic bronchodilator.

For albuterol

• For inhalation aerosol dosage form:
  • For preventing or treating bronchospasm:
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—1 to 2 inhalations (puffs) every four to six hours.
    • Children up to 4 years of age—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For preventing bronchospasm caused by exercise:
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—2 inhalations (puffs) taken fifteen minutes before you start to exercise.
    • Children up to 4 years of age—Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For albuterol sulfate

• For inhalation aerosol dosage form:
  • For treating bronchospasm:
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—1 to 2 inhalations (puffs) every four to six hours.
    • Children up to 4 years of age—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For preventing bronchospasm caused by exercise:
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—2 inhalations (puffs) taken fifteen to thirty minutes before you start to exercise.
    • Children up to 4 years of age—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For inhalation solution dosage form:
  • For preventing or treating bronchospasm:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—This medicine is used in a nebulizer and is taken by inhalation over five to fifteen minutes. The usual dose is 2.5 milligrams (mg) of albuterol taken every four to six hours if needed.
    • Children up to 12 years of age—This medicine is used in a nebulizer and is taken by inhalation over five to fifteen minutes. The usual dose is 1.25 to 2.5 milligrams (mg) of albuterol taken every four to six hours if needed.
• For capsules (powder) for inhalation dosage form:
  • For preventing or treating bronchospasm:
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—200 or 400 mcg taken by inhalation every four to six hours.
    • Children up to 4 years of age—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For preventing bronchospasm caused by exercise:
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—200 mcg taken by inhalation fifteen minutes before you start to exercise.
    • Children up to 4 years of age—Dose must be determined by your doctor.

If you are using one of these medicines regularly and you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. Then use any remaining doses for that day at regularly spaced intervals. Do not double doses.

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:

• Rare
  • Dizziness, severe; feeling of choking, irritation, or swelling in throat; flushing or redness of skin; hives; increased shortness of breath; skin rash; swelling of face, lips, or eyelids; tightness in chest or wheezing, troubled breathing

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Fast heartbeat; headache; nervousness; trembling
• Less common
  • Coughing or other bronchial irritation; dizziness or light-headedness; dryness or irritation of mouth or throat
• Rare
  • Chest discomfort or pain; drowsiness or weakness; irregular heartbeat; irritation of throat or mouth; muscle cramps or twitching ; nausea and/or vomiting; restlessness; trouble in sleeping

Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each of these medicines, but they have been reported for at least one of them. All of the adrenergic bronchodilators are similar, so any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

While you are using an adrenergic bronchodilator, you may notice an unusual or unpleasant taste. This may be expected and will go away when you stop using the medicine.

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

Other Drugs Interaction

Before taking albuterol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), or pindolol (Visken);
• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or protriptyline (Vivactil);
• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
• another oral or inhaled bronchodilator; or
• caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants.

You may not be able to take albuterol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medications listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with albuterol or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Albuterol Storage

To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat. Store the solution form of this medicine away from direct light. Store the inhalation aerosol form of this medicine away from direct sunlight. Keep the medicine from freezing. Store canister with the nozzle end down. Do not store the powder for inhalation forms of these medicines in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do not puncture, break, or burn the inhalation aerosol container, even if it is empty. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Store the Volmax brand of albuterol tablets in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius).

Articles

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