side effects of albuterol
Proventil, Proventil Repetabs, Ventolin, Volmax
What is the most important information I should know about albuterol?
• Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than yourusual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hourperiod side effects of albuterol. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a seriousasthma attack side effects of albuterol.
What is albuterol?
• Albuterol works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing side effects of albuterol.
• Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm (wheezing, shortness of breath)associated with reversible obstructive airway disease such as asthma side effects of albuterol.
• Albuterol may also be used for conditions other than those listed inthis medication guide side effects of albuterol.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking albuterol?
• Before taking albuterol, tell your doctor if you have
· heart disease or high blood pressure;
· epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
· diabetes;
· an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);
· difficulty swallowing;
· liver disease; or
· kidney disease side effects of albuterol.
• You may not be able to take albuterol or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove side effects of albuterol.
• Albuterol is in the FDA pregnancy category C side effects of albuterol. This means that it is notknown whether it will harm an unborn baby side effects of albuterol. Do not take albuterol without firsttalking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment side effects of albuterol.
• It is not known whether albuterol passes into breast milk side effects of albuterol. Do not takealbuterol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby side effects of albuterol.
How should I take albuterol?
• Take albuterol exactly as directed by your doctor side effects of albuterol. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you side effects of albuterol.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water side effects of albuterol.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid forms of albuterolwith a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon side effects of albuterol. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one side effects of albuterol.
• Do not break, crush, or chew the Volmax or Proventil Repetabs tablets side effects of albuterol. These are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body side effects of albuterol. The Volmax tablets have an outer shell that is not absorbed by the body side effects of albuterol. Occasionally,this shell may be seen in the stool side effects of albuterol. This is not a problem as the medicationhas been absorbed by the body side effects of albuterol.
• Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than yourusual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hourperiod side effects of albuterol. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a seriousasthma attack side effects of albuterol.
• Store the Volmax brand of albuterol tablets in the refrigerator between36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius) side effects of albuterol.
• Store all other forms of albuterol at room temperature away from moistureand heat side effects of albuterol.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember side effects of albuterol. However, if it is almosttime for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take thenext one as directed side effects of albuterol. Do not take a double dose of this medication side effects of albuterol.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention side effects of albuterol.
• Symptoms of an albuterol overdose may include angina or chest pain, irregularheartbeats or a fluttering heart, seizures, tremor, weakness, headache, nausea,and vomiting side effects of albuterol.
What should I avoid while taking albuterol?
• Avoid situations that may worsen your respiratory condition such as exercisingin cold, dry air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens suchas pet fur side effects of albuterol.
What are the possible side effects of albuterol?
• Stop taking albuterol and seek emergency medical attention if you experienceany of the following serious side effects:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
· chest pain or irregular heartbeats side effects of albuterol.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur side effects of albuterol. Continueto take albuterol and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache;
· dizziness or lightheadedness;
· insomnia;
· tremor or nervousness;
· sweating;
· nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or
· dry mouth side effects of albuterol.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur side effects of albuterol. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome side effects of albuterol.
What other drugs will affect albuterol?
• Before taking albuterol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing 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 side effects of albuterol.
• You may not be able to take albuterol, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicationslisted above side effects of albuterol.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with albuterol oraffect your condition side effects of albuterol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products side effects of albuterol.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about albuterol written forhealth professionals that you may read side effects of albuterol.
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