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| Pronunciation |
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 (al
BYOO ter
ole) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Airet®; Proventil®;
Proventil® HFA; Ventolin®; Ventolin®
Rotocaps®; Volmax® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Salvent® (Canada); Novo-Salmol
(Canada); Sabulin (Canada); Salbulin (Mexico); Salbutalan (Mexico);
Volmax®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Beta2 Agonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to albuterol or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to open the airways in diseases, such as asthma
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where spasm may cause breathing
problems.
- It may also prevent exercise-induced breathing problems. It must be
taken before exercising.
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| How does it work? |
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- Albuterol works at sites in the airways to relax the muscles and
improve oxygen delivery.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- For inhaling (puffing) only by an inhaler or as a liquid (solution)
through a special machine (nebulizer) into the lungs. It may be used on an as
needed basis, on a timed schedule, or both. Shake inhaler well before using.
- Follow directions given by healthcare provider. Do not go over
maximally recommended daily dose.
- Spacer can be used with inhaler for easier delivery. This gets more
medicine into the lungs.
- Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the
inhaler the right way is very important.
- If you are using more than one type of inhaler, use albuterol first,
then the others.
- Tablets/syrup may be taken with or without food. Take with food if
this medicine causes an upset stomach.
- Swallow sustained-release tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or
chew.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Wear disease medical alert identification for lung disease.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- If exercise causes symptoms, use inhaled dose immediately before
activity to prevent them.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Inability to sleep, nervousness, shakiness, over active.
- Rapid or pounding heartbeat.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Dry mouth. Rinse out mouth with water after each inhaler use.
- Inhaled medicine has the fewest side
effects.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for changes in breathing. Is breathing better, worse, or about
the same.
- If used for asthma, monitor with peak flow meter.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Unable to get breathing attack under control.
- Very nervous and excitable.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store at room temperature.
- Store inhaler at room temperature for best
results.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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