Drug Name

Proventil (Albuterol/Salbutamol)

Drug Uses

Proventil is used for treating breathing problems in patients who have asthma or certain other airway diseases. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken

Use Proventil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
An extra patient leaflet is available with Proventil. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
Proventil is for inhalation only. Do not get it in the eyes. If you get Proventil Solution in the eyes, rinse immediately with cool tap water.
Remove a vial from the foil pouch. Place the remaining vials back into the pouch for storage.
Do not use Proventil if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
To use Proventil, twist open the top of the vial and pour the entire contents into the nebulizer reservoir.
Connect the nebulizer reservoir to the mouthpiece or face mask. Connect the nebulizer to the compressor.
Sit in a comfortable, upright position. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth (or put on the face mask) and turn on the nebulizer. Breathe as calmly, deeply, and evenly as possible until no more mist is formed in the nebulizer chamber (about 5 to 15 minutes).
Clean the nebulizer according to the instructions. Failure to properly clean the nebulizer could lead to bacteria entering the medicine. This may lead to an infection. To avoid bacteria entering the medicine, use the entire contents right after opening the vial for the first time.
Do not stop using Proventil without checking with your doctor. Do not mix this medicine with other medicines in the nebulizer unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Proventil is a sympathomimetic (beta agonist) bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airway, which allows air to flow in and out of the lungs more easily.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Ventolin and you are using it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store at the room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Keep out of the reach of children.

Warnings/Precautions

Do NOT use Proventil Solution if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Proventil Solution
• you are using another short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilator (eg, metaproterenol) or epinephrine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Some medical conditions may interact with Proventil Solution. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart problems, (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart failure), blood vessel problems, high blood pressure, or low blood potassium levels
• if you have a history of seizures, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, kidney problems, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
• if you have ever had an unusual reaction to another sympathomimetic medicine (eg, pseudoephedrine)
• if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline), or if you have taken either of these medicines within the last 14 days

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Proventil Solution. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood potassium levels may be increased
• Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), epinephrine, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators (eg, metaproterenol), stimulants (eg, amphetamine), sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Proventil Solution's side effects
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because they may decrease Proventil Solution's effectiveness
• Digoxin because its effectiveness may be decreased by Proventil Solution

Possible Side Effects

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Cough; dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore or dry throat; tremor; trouble sleeping; unusual taste in mouth; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; ear pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsened trouble breathing; pounding in the chest; severe headache or dizziness; unusual hoarseness; wheezing.

More Information

Proventil should not be taken with beta-blockers, such as atenolol, propranolol or timolol. This is because beta-blockers have an opposite action to this medicine and cause the airways to narrow. This can result in breathing difficulties for people with asthma or COPD. This problem has sometimes been seen with eye drops containing beta-blockers, eg. used for glaucoma.