Ventolin

Indications:

Albuterol,Ventolin, is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. Albuterol inhalation also is used to prevent breathing difficulties (bronchospasm) during exercise. Albuterol is in a class of medications called beta-agonists. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

.Usage:

Albuterol comes as a tablet, extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and a syrup to take by mouth and as an aerosol, a solution (liquid), and a powder-filled capsule to inhale by mouth. The solution is inhaled using a nebulizer, and the powder-filled capsules are inhaled using a special dry powder inhaler. Albuterol tablets and syrup are usually taken three or four times a day, and extended-release tablets are usually taken twice a day. For the treatment or prevention of asthma symptoms, the oral inhalation is usually used every 4 to 6 hours as needed. For the prevention of bronchospasm during exercise, the oral inhalation is used 15 minutes before exercise. The nebulized solution is used three or four times a day.

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take albuterol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Albuterol controls symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases but does not cure them. Do not stop taking albuterol without talking to your doctor.

Before you use the albuterol inhaler for the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use it. Practice using the inhaler while he or she watches.

Before using the aerosol inhaler for the first time and any time it has not been used in more than 4 weeks, "test spray" the inhaler. Do this by spraying 4 times into the air.

To use the aerosol inhaler, follow these steps:

Shake the inhaler well.
Remove the protective cap.
Exhale (breathe out) as completely as possible through your nose while keeping your mouth shut.
Open Mouth Technique: Open your mouth wide, and place the open end of the mouthpiece about 1-2 inches from your mouth.Closed Mouth Technique: Place the open end of the mouthpiece well into your mouth, past your front teeth. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
Take a slow, deep breath through the mouthpiece and, at the same time, press down on the container to spray the medication into your mouth. Be sure that the mist goes into your throat and is not blocked by your teeth or tongue. Adults giving the treatment to young children may hold the child's nose closed to be sure that the medication goes into the child's throat.
Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds, remove the inhaler, and exhale slowly through your nose or mouth. If you take two puffs, wait 2 minutes and shake the inhaler well before taking the second puff.
Replace the protective cap on the inhaler.
After each treatment, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.
If you have difficulty getting the medication into your lungs, a spacer (a special device that attaches to the inhaler) may help; ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist for more information.

Use only the adapter that comes with your canister. Do not use the adapter with any other product canister.

To use the dry powder inhaler, follow these steps:

Remove the inhaler from its container and check to make sure it is clean and dry. Make sure that there are no objects in the mouthpiece.
Keep the inhaler upright and hold the darker-colored end in one hand. Turn the lighter-colored end as far as it can go in either direction.
Take a powder-filled capsule from its pack and place the clear (thinner) end of the capsule in the raised hole in the lighter-colored end of the inhaler. If there is a used capsule shell in the inhaler, it will be pushed into the chamber.
Push the new capsule in until it is even with the top of the hole in the inhaler.
Hold the inhaler level (horizontally) with the white dot uppermost, and turn the lighter-colored end (where the capsule was put in) as far as it will go in the opposite direction. This will open the capsule.
Keep the inhaler level. Breathe out as far as you comfortably can. Raise the inhaler to your mouth and gently put the mouthpiece (darker-colored end) between your teeth and lips. Do not push the inhaler further inside your mouth than your teeth.
Hold the dark blue part of the inhaler so you won't accidentally inhale the device.
Breathe in through your mouth as quickly and as deeply as you comfortably can.
Hold your breath for a short time, then remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out.
If your doctor has told you to inhale 2 capsules, repeat steps 2-9.
Other uses for this medicine
Inhaled albuterol also is used sometimes to treat or improve muscle paralysis in patients with a condition that causes occasional paralysis and to treat high potassium levels in patients with kidney failure. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
 

special precautions:

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to albuterol or any other medications.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. 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'); and other inhaled medications used to relax the air passages. Also Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or who have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist what nonprescription medications you are taking, including ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and pseudoephedrine. Many nonprescription products contain these medications (e.g., diet pills and medications for colds and asthma), so check labels carefully. Do not take any of these medications without talking to your doctor (even if you never had a problem taking them before).
Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular heartbeat, heart disease, high blood pressure, narrowing of the digestive tract (for the extended-release product only), an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, or seizures.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking albuterol, Inform your doctor.

side effects:

Albuterol may cause side effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or long lasting:

tremor
nervousness
shakiness
dizziness
excitement
headache
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
nosebleed
increased appetite
upset stomach
vomiting
stomach pain
muscle cramps
cough
dry mouth (inhalation only)
throat irritation (inhalation only)
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, Inform your doctor immediately:

rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
chest pain or discomfort
severe rash
hives
itching
increased difficulty breathing
difficulty swallowing
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
hoarseness