|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (peer
BYOO ter
ole) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Maxair™ |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Beta2 Agonist |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to albuterol, pirbuterol, or any other part of
the medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to open the airways in diseases like asthma and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease where spasm may cause breathing
problems.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Pirbuterol works at sites in the airways to relax the muscle and
improve oxygen delivery.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- For inhaling (puffing) only by an inhaler.
- Follow directions given by healthcare provider. Do not go over
maximally recommended daily dose.
- You may need to test inhaler before use. Follow directions given with
inhaler.
- A spacer can be used with the 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. Shake well before using.
- If you are using more than one type of inhaler, use pirbuterol first
then others.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Inhale a missed dose as soon as possible.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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 medicine right before activities 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, 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.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Inability to sleep, nervousness, tremor, hyperactivity.
- Rapid or pounding
heartbeat.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for changes in breathing. Is breathing better, worse, or the
same?
- If you are using this medicine for asthma, monitor with peak flow
meter.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store container at room temperature.
- Metered-dose inhalers should be at room temperature for best
effects.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- 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).
|
|
|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
