albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil)

• Albuterol sulphate dilates the airways of the lung and is used for treatingasthmaand other conditions of the lung.Asthmais abreathingproblem due to narrowing of the airways (bronchial tubes) that allow air to move in and out of thelungs。These airways can be narrowed due to the accumulation ofmucus, spasm of the muscles that surround these airways (bronchospasm), or swelling of the lining of the airways.Airwaynarrowing leads toshortness of breath,wheezing,cough, andcongestion。Albuterol sulphate dilates bronchial airways by relaxing the muscles that surround the airways. Albuterol also can be helpful in patients withemphysemaandchronic bronchitiswhen symptoms are partially related to spasm of the airways' muscles.
• The FDA approved albuterol sulphate solution in January 1987.

• Albuterol sulphateinhalationsolution is used for the treatment of bronchospasm in patients 2 to 12 years of age withasthma(reversible obstructive airway disease).

What brand names are available for albuterol?

Ventolin, Proventil,Accuneb(discontinued)

Is albuterol available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for albuterol?

Yes

Common side effects include:

• Migraineheadaches
• Non-migraineheadaches
• nausea
• stomach upset
• flu-like symptoms
• coldsymptoms
• ear infections(otitis media)
• bronchitis
• cough

Other side effects include:

• allergicreactions (rash,hives,itching)
• nervousness
• tremor
• wheezing
• increased sputum
• shortness of breath

Possible serious side effects include:

• bronchospasm (worsening of asthma)
• serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• worsening ofdiabetes
• low potassium
• abnormalheartrhythm (palpitations)
• fast heart rate
• elevated官网地址bwin
• chest pain

• A jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor equipped with a mouthpiece or face mask is used to administer albuterol sulphate solution.
• The recommended starting dose for patients 2 to 12 years of age is 0.63, 1.25, or 2.5 mg given by nebulization 3 or 4 times daily, as needed. More frequent administration is not recommended.
• Children 6 to 12 years of age with more severe asthma may achieve a better initial response with the 1.25 or 2.5 mg dose.
• The entire contents of one vial should be placed in the nebulizer and the flow rate should be adjusted to deliver albuterol sulphate over 5 to 15 minutes.

• Tricyclic antidepressants, for example,amitriptyline(Elavil,Endep), andmonoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs), for example, tranylcypromine, should not be combined with albuterol sulfate because of their additive effects on the vascular system (increased blood pressure, heart rate, etc.). A period of two weeks should elapse between treatment with albuterol sulphate and tricyclicantidepressantsor monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
• Use of albuterol sulphate with other stimulant medications is discouraged because of their combined effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and the potential for causingchest painin patients with underlying coronary heart disease.
• Beta-blockers, for example,propranolol(Inderal,Inderal LA), block the effect of albuterol sulphate and may induce bronchospasm in asthmatics.
• Albuterol sulphate may causehypokalemia(low potassium). Therefore, combining albuterol sulphate with loop diuretics, for example,furosemide(Lasix) may increase the likelihood of hypokalemia.

• Albuterol sulphate inhalation solution is used for treating children.
• There are no adequate studies of albuterol sulphate use duringpregnancy。一些报道表明,沙丁胺醇sulphate may causecongenital defectswhen used during pregnancy.
• It's not known whether albuterol sulphate is excreted inbreast milk。

What preparations of albuterol are available?

• Inhalation Solution: 0.63, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/3 ml; 2.5 mg/0.5 ml.

How should I keep albuterol stored?

• Albuterol sulphate should be stored between 2 C and 25 C (36 F and 77 F) and protected from light and excessive heat.