Brand Name(s): Proventil Oral, Proventil Repetabs, Ventolin Oral, VoSpire ER, Volmax
Generic Name Albuterol Oral Tablets
What are albuterol tablets or extended-release tablets?
ALBUTEROL (Proventil®, Ventolin®) is a bronchodilator, a medicine that opens up your air passages and makes you breathe easier. It is a medicine for patients with various lung problems such as asthma or chronic bronchitis. Generic albuterol tablets and extended-release tablets are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
•diabetes
•heart disease, or irregular heartbeat
•high blood pressure
•low blood levels of potassium
•lung disease
•pheochromocytoma
•seizures (convulsions)
•thyroid disease
•an unusual or allergic reaction to albuterol, levalabuterol, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take albuterol tablets or extended-release tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If albuterol upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Swallow extended-release tablets whole; do not crush or chew. Do not take more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with albuterol?
•arsenic trioxide
•astemizole
•bepridil
•beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems
•arsenic trioxide
•astemizole
•bepridil
•beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems
•caffeine
•certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin)
•chloroquine
•cisapride
•droperidol
•halofantrine
•levomethadyl
•medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
•medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure
•medicines known as MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Carbex®, Eldepryl®)
•medicines to control heart rhythm (examples: amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)
•medicines for treating depression or mental illness (amoxapine, haloperidol, maprotiline, pimozide, phenothiazines, risperidone, sertindole, tricyclic antidepressants, ziprasidone)
•methadone
•pentamidine
•probucol
•some medicines for weight loss (including some herbal products, ephedra, ephedrine, dextroamphetamine)
•steroid hormones such as dexamethasone, cortisone, hydrocortisone
•terfenadine
•theophylline
•thyroid hormones
•water pills or diuretics
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking albuterol?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare:
•skin rash or hives
•swelling of the tongue, face, or lips with difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or tightening of the throat (angioedema)
Infrequent:
•difficulty breathing or wheezing which increases or does not go away
•dizziness or fainting spell
•chest pain or palpitations (fast, pounding heartbeat)
•fast or irregular heartbeat
•fever
•headache (severe)
•increased blood pressure
•muscle cramps or weakness
•numbness in fingers or toes
•vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•anxiety, nervousness, trembling
•cough
•diarrhea
•difficulty sleeping
•dry mouth
•mild headache
•nasal congestion, runny nose
•nausea, upset stomach
What should I watch for while taking albuterol?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 or 2 days. If your asthma or bronchitis gets worse while you are using albuterol, call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can for advice.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water, will help.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store most tablets at controlled room temperature between 2 and 25 degrees C (36 and 77 degrees F). Volmax® extended-release tablets should be stored under refrigeration 2—8 degrees C (36—46 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:05/02/2004 |
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