Albuterol Inhalation

Generic Name: albuterol inhalation (al BYOO ter all)
Brand Names: ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA

What is albuterol inhalation?

Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs.

Albuterol inhalation is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. It is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Albuterol inhalation is for use in adults and children who are at least 4 years old.

Important information

It is important to keep albuterol on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Keep using all of your other medications as prescribed by your doctor.

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Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

An overdose of albuterol can be fatal. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to albuterol. You should not use ProAir RespiClick if you are allergic to milk proteins.

To make sure albuterol inhalation is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure;

a heart rhythm disorder;

a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;

diabetes;

overactive thyroid; or

low levels of potassium in your blood.

It is not known whether albuterol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether albuterol inhalation passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Albuterol inhalation is not approved for use by anyone younger than 4 years old.

How should I use albuterol inhalation?

Use albuterol inhalation exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use albuterol inhalation in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

You may need to prime your albuterol inhaler device before the first use. Your medicine comes with directions for priming if needed.

You may also need to shake your albuterol device just before each use.

Follow all medication instructions very carefully.

Do not allow a young child to use albuterol inhalation without help from an adult.

The usual dose of albuterol inhalation is 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours. To prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, use 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before you exercise. The effects of albuterol inhalation should last about 4 to 6 hours.

Seek medical attention if you think your asthma medications are not working as well. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

Use the dose counter on your albuterol inhaler device and get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Always use the new inhaler device provided with your refill. Do not float a medicine canister in water to see if it is empty.

Follow all product instructions on how to clean your albuterol inhaler device and mouthpiece. Do not try to clean or take apart the ProAir RespiClick inhaler device.

Asthma is often treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, or cold temperatures.

Keep the albuterol canister away from open flame or high heat, such as in a car on a hot day. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of albuterol can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, tremors, chest pain, fast heartbeats, nausea, general ill feeling, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed or fainting.

What should I avoid while using albuterol inhalation?

Rinse with water if this medicine gets in your eyes.

Albuterol inhalation side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to albuterol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine;

chest pain, fast heart rate, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

pain or burning when you urinate;

high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss; or

low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, extreme thirst, increased urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common albuterol side effects may include:

back pain, body aches;

headache, dizziness;

feeling nervous;

nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach; or

sore throat, sinus pain, stuffy runny nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect albuterol inhalation?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

any other inhaled medicines or bronchodilators;

digoxin;

a diuretic or "water pill";

an antidepressant - amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline, and others;

a beta blocker - atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others; or

an MAO inhibitor - isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with albuterol inhalation, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.