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Generic Name: Albuterol
Brand Name(s):
Information updated: April 1, 2000
Overview
Proventil is the most commonly prescribed asthma inhaler in this country.
Although this medicine is also available in tablet form for oral use, the
aerosol formulation is less likely to cause general side effects and is more
frequently prescribed.
Proventil Inhaler is prescribed for the
prevention as well as the treatment of asthma attacks. It may also be used 15
minutes before vigorous activity to prevent exercise-induced asthma.
Side Effects and Interactions
One advantage of inhaled asthma medicine is
that relatively little is absorbed into the body to cause unpleasant side
effects. However, inhaled Proventil can cause palpitations or rapid heart beat
in some people.
Individuals with preexisting heart conditions, diabetes,
seizures, or over an active thyroid gland should use such medicine with great
caution, if at all.
Other side effects include nausea, tremor,
nervousness, increased blood pressure, heartburn and dizziness.
There
are rare reports of rash, itching, and allergic reactions that interfere with
breathing.
In addition, the active ingredient in Proventil can
precipitate angina, insomnia, headache, unusual taste and irritation of the
throat. Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.
Proventil can
interact with several other medications. Do not use a similar kind of
bronchodilating inhalers such as Ventolin, Berotec, Brethaire, Alupent, Metaprel
or Tornalate simulatneously with Proventil.
Certain antidepressants may
also be dangerous in combination with this asthma drug, and beta blocker
medications may counteract the effectiveness of Proventil.
Check with
your pharmacist and physician before using any other medication in combination
with this inhaler.
Special Precautions
Although Proventil is very effective, care must be taken not to overuse it.
Because of a relatively short duration of action -- 4 to 6 hrs -- people may tempted to use their inhaler too frequently. This could lead to complications.
Taking the Medicine
Proventil Inhaler needs to be kept at room temperature -- that is, between 59 and 86 degrees
Fahrenheit. If the aerosol is used at a different temperature, it may not provide an accurate dose.
Use of inhalers is not as easy as it may seem. Make sure your physician provides detailed
instructions and demonstrates how to inhale the aerosol so that the medicine ends up in the lungs and not in the back of the throat.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio.
© 2000