Albuterol Hfa, Albuterol

Albuterol Inhalation Aerosol

(al BYOO ter ole)

Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA

It is used to open the airways in lung diseases where spasm may cause breathing problems. It is used to prevent breathing problems that happen with exercise.

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. If you are using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Do not take more of this drug or use it more often than you have been told. Deaths have happened when too much of this drug was taken. Talk with your doctor. Call your doctor right away if your normal dose does not work well, if your signs get worse, or if you need to use this drug more often than normal. If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely. Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight. Signs of low potassium levels like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal. Chest pain or pressure. Fast or abnormal heartbeat. This drug may sometimes cause severe breathing problems. This may be life-threatening. When this happens with an inhaler or with liquid for breathing in, most of the time it happens right after a dose and after the first use of a new canister or vial of this drug. If you have trouble breathing, breathing that is worse, wheezing, or coughing, get medical help right away.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Feeling nervous and excitable. Dizziness or headache. Upset stomach or throwing up. Shakiness. Throat irritation. Runny nose. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. For breathing into the lungs. If you are using more than 1 inhaled drug, ask the doctor which drug to use first. If working out or playing sports causes signs, use right before doing it. Follow how to clean carefully. Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose. Shake well before use. You will need to prime the inhaler before first use. You will also need to prime the inhaler if it has not been used for some time. Be sure you know when you need to prime the inhaler and how to do it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions. Some inhalers need to be primed if dropped. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. A spacer may be used with the inhaler for easy use. This inhaler may have a dose counter to keep track of how many doses are left. If it does, throw the inhaler away when the dose counter has a 0 in it.

If you use this drug on a regular basis, use a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. Many times this drug is used on an as needed basis. Do not use more often than told by the doctor.

Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom. Protect from cold. If the inhaler comes in a foil pouch, store in the foil pouch until ready for use. Protect from heat and sunlight. Do not puncture or burn even if it seems empty. Throw away the inhaler after the most number of sprays have been used, even if it feels like there is more drug in the can. Store with the mouthpiece down. Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.