 |
|
 |
| Drug Class: What is Albuterol and why is it prescribed? |
|
| An albuterol inhaler is a quick-relief or rescue medication used to decrease asthma symptoms.
Albuterol can decrease acute symptoms associated with worsening asthma such as:
Chest tightness
Chronic Cough
Shortness of breath
Wheezing |
|
|
|
| Drug Mechanism: How does Albuterol work? |
|
| Once in the lungs, albuterol exerts its action by relaxing the smooth muscle that surrounds the airway. In asthma, chronic inflammation triggered most commonly by allergens and respiratory infections narrow the airways, restricting the flow of air and the exchange of oxygen across the lungs cell membranes. Albuterol helps improve the absorption of oxygen by increasing the diameter of the airways, allowing more airflow. |
|
|
|
| Dosage; How should you take Albuterol? |
|
| To treat or prevent an asthma attack, the recommended albuterol inhaler dose is two sprays or as needed (as frequently as every four to six hours). For some people, only one spray will be needed to control asthma symptoms. If you need to use your inhaler more often than prescribed, talk to your healthcare provider about adding an additional asthma medication.
If your albuterol inhaler does not adequately control an asthma attack, seek medical attention immediately, as this may be an emergency. |
|
|
|
| Possible food and drug interactions when taking Albuterol |
|
| Albuterol can potentially interact with a few other medicines. Some of these medicines that may lead to albuterol interactions include:
Beta blockers, such as:
Atenolol (Tenormin®)
Bisoprolol (Zebeta®)
Metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol XL®)
Nadolol (Corgard®)
Propranolol (Inderal®)
Sotalol (Betapace®)
Timolol (Blocadren®)
Carvedilol (Coreg®)
Labetalol (Trandate®)
Certain diuretics, such as:
Bumetanide (Bumex®)
Chlorothiazide (Diuril®)
Chlorthalidone (Thalitone®)
Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin®)
Furosemide (Lasix®)
Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix®, HydroDIURIL®, Microzide®, Oretic®)
Metolazone |
|
|
|
| Special information on Albuterol |
|
| Before using albuterol inhalation,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to albuterol (Vospire ER, in Combivent, in Duoneb), levalbuterol (Xoponex), or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'water pills\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'); |
|
|
|
| Albuterol side effects Albuterol |
|
| Common Side Effects of Albuterol
Albuterol has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, some of the common albuterol side effects included:
Coughing
Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (heart palpitations)
Headaches
An irritated or runny nose
Muscle or bone pain
Nausea
Nervousness
Shakiness |
Drug Class: What is Albuterol and why is it prescribed?
