Albuterol (By mouth)

al-BUE-ter-ol

Treats bronchospasm.

Drug classes

Bronchodilator, Cardiovascular Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm or wheezing in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease, such as asthma.

Albuterol belongs to the family of medicines known as adrenergic bronchodilators. Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet, Long Acting Tablet, Liquid

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

If you take the extended-release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

Albuterol is sometimes used with other medicines, such as medicine that you inhale. Use all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store Proventil® and Ventolin® at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store Volmax® in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines can affect how albuterol works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

A diuretic (water pill) An MAO inhibitor (MAOI) or depression medicine within the past 14 days Blood pressure medicine Digoxin

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to albuterol.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, seizures, thyroid problems, or diabetes.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

Chest pain

Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Dry mouth or throat

Shakiness, restlessness, nervousness, excitement, or trouble sleeping

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Apo-Salvent Inhaler, Proventil, Proventil Repetabs, Ventolin, VoSpire, VoSpire ER, Volmax

There may be other brand names for this medicine.