Albuterol Inhaler

Albuterol Inhaler Product Description

This medicine is used in patients over 6 years of age with reversible obstructive airway disease (asthma) to make breathing easier by widening the breathing passages of the lungs.Store between 59 and 86 degrees F. Contents are under pressure. Do not puncture. Do not use or store near heat or open flame. Do not expose the container to temperatures above 120 degrees F. The container may burst.How much medicine you use and how often you use it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated, your age, and weight. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are using, talk with your health care provider. Shake the inhaler well immediately before using. Avoid spraying in the eyes. Remove the protective cap from the mouthpiece and check to make sure there are no hidden foreign objects. Exhale fully through the mouth, pushing as much air out of your lungs as possible. Be sure to hold the inhaler in an upright position. Place the mouthpiece fully into the mouth, holding the inhaler upright and closing the lips around it. While breathing in slowly and deeply through the mouth, fully depress the top of the metal canister with your index finger. Hold your breath as long as possible. Before breathing out, remove the inhaler from your mouth and release your finger from the canister. Wait 1 minute, shake the inhaler, and repeat the steps for each inhalation. Clean the plastic case and cap by rinsing in warm running water at least once a day. After drying the plastic case and cap, replace the canister and place the cap back on the mouthpiece. Always remember to test spray before using for the first time or if it has been a long time (more than 4 months) since the aerosol has been used. Once you have used the canister for the number of times listed on the label, throw the canister away. If your asthma attack continues or worsens, stop using this medicine and contact your doctor. If your usual dose fails to provide the usual relief or if you need to use it more often, contact your doctor at once. This may be a sign of seriously worsening asthma, which may require changing your medication. This medicine may cause dizziness. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. Stop taking MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants at least 14 days before taking this medicine. If you are uncertain whether your other medications contain an MAO inhibitor or tricyclic antidepressant, check with your health care provider. Children should use this medicine under adult supervision, as instructed by a health care provider. Do not stop using this medication without checking with your doctor. Do not use more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Patients with previous conditions should talk with their health care provider before using this medication. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your doctor. This includes any herbal preparations or dietary supplements. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine if you have cardiac arrhythmiasBefore using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you are allergic to similar medications if you have heart problems if you have high blood pressure if you have a history of seizures if you have an overactive thyroid if you have diabetes if you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or tricyclic antidepressant within the last 14 days if you have any other medical condition like liver, heart, kidney or other lung diseaseDo not exceed the recommended dose of this medicine. Overdosage of this medicine can result in toxicity and death, cause of which can most probably be attributed to cardiac arrest following an unexpected development of a severe acute asthmatic crisis and subsequent hypoxia.Most severe:ÿ Allergic reaction (rash; hives; tightness in the chest; swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat; breathing difficulty); worsening of asthma; fast heartbeat; irregular heart rhythm; chest pain.Most common:ÿ Tremor; nausea; pounding in the chest; nervousness; dizziness; heartburn; nosebleed; vomiting; throat irritation; stomachache; headache; nausea.Other:ÿ Lightheadedness; cough; agitation; nightmares; hyperactivity; aggressive behavior; diarrhea; tooth discoloration; muscle cramps; hoarseness; feeling of a whirling motion; sleeplessness; changes in taste.

How should Albuterol Inhaler be stored?

Store at room temperature in a cool dry place, protect from heat and light. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.

How should I take Albuterol Inhaler?

How much medicine you take and how often you take it depend on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your health care provider. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine. Do not take more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your health care provider. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. If more than one dose is missed, contact your health care provider or pharmacist. Do not take this more frequently than your doctor recommends. Increasing the number of doses can be dangerous and may actually make symptoms of asthma worse. If the dose your doctor recommends does not provide relief of your symptoms, or if your symptoms become worse, consult your doctor immediately.

When should Albuterol Inhaler not be taken?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to similar medications.

What precautions should I follow when taking Albuterol Inhaler?

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine if you have impairment of heart, lung, liver and kidney functions

What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Albuterol Inhaler?

While using this medicine, avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, and chocolate.

What are the side effects of Albuterol Inhaler?

Most severe: Tremors, unusual taste, urinary problems, vomiting, weakness, wheezing

Most common: Aggression, agitation, allergic reaction, anxiety, back pain, chest pain or discomfort, chills and fever, coordination problems, cough, decreased appetite, depression, difficulty speaking, diabetes, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and throat, excitement, fluid retention and swelling, flushing, general bodily discomfort, headache, heart palpitations, heartburn, hives, increased appetite, increased blood pressure, increased difficulty breathing, indigestion, irritability, labored breathing, leg cramps, light-headedness, muscle cramps, muscle spasm, nasal inflammation, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, nosebleed, overactivity, rapid heartbeat, rash, respiratory infection or disorder, restlessness, ringing in the ears, shakiness, sleeplessness, slowed movement, stomachache, stuffy nose, sweating

Other: Swelling of mouth and throat, taste sensation on inhalation, throat irritation, tooth discoloration