What is Ventolin?
Ventolin, a bronchodilator, relaxes the muscles of the airways to increase airflow.
Ventolin HFA can be used to prevent or treat bronchospasm, or the narrowing of airways within the lungs, in patients with certain forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exercise-induced bronchospasm can also be prevented with this drug.Ventolin HFA can be used by adults as well as children over the age of 4.
Warnings
Ventolin should always be available. Refill your prescription before it runs out. Continue to take all other prescribed medications.Speak to your doctor if you notice that your asthma medication is not working as effectively to treat or prevent an attack. Speak to your doctor if you feel like your medication needs have increased in the last 24 hours. A sudden increase in medication use could indicate a severe asthma attack.
Ventolin should only be used as directed by your doctor. Overdoses of albuterol are fatal. Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek emergency medical care.Ventolin HFA canisters can burst in extreme heat. On hot days, avoid storing your inhaler inside your vehicle. Empty canisters should not be thrown into an open fire.
Please follow all instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your health care providers of all medical conditions you have, any allergies, and the medicines that you are using.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to albuterol, do not use Ventolin.Ventolin should not be used by children under 4 years of age.
Albuterol can increase the hospitalization or death risk for people who have asthma. However, the risk is unknown in those with obstructive lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD).
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medication is right for you:
- Heart disease High blood pressure
- A thyroid condition;
- Seizures;
- Diabetes
- Low potassium levels in the blood
Inform your doctor immediately if you plan to get pregnant. Albuterol isn't known to harm a baby. Uncontrolled asthma can increase your risk for premature births, low birthweight, and eclampsia, which is dangerously high blood pressure. Preventing bronchospasm can be more beneficial than any potential risks for the child.
You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to monitor the effects of albuterol.Breastfeeding while taking Ventolin HFA may be unsafe. You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about a possible risk.
How to take Ventolin?
Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Read all the instructions on the prescription label.
Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you don't understand the instructions, ask your pharmacist or doctor.Ventolin should not be used by a child under the age of 12 without adult supervision.Use this medication 15–30 minutes prior to exercise in order to prevent exercise-induced respiratory bronchospasm. Ventolin's effects should last between 4 and 6 hours.
If your asthma medication is not working or your breathing issues are getting worse, you should seek medical help.Ventolin HFA should be thoroughly shaken before use.Use the inhaler that comes with each refill. You should not submerge a medication canister to check if it's empty.
Your dose needs may change due to surgery, illness, stress, or a recent asthma attack. You should not alter your dosage or schedule without consulting your doctor.Keep away from heat or moisture.
Ventolin HFA should be stored with the mouthpiece facing down.Avoid exposing the canister to open flames or extreme heat. If the canister gets too warm, it may explode. You should not burn or puncture an empty inhaler.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Ventolin is only to be taken when necessary. As soon as possible, take the missed dose. If your next dose is soon approaching, do not take the missed one. You should not take extra medication to compensate for a missed dose.
Refill your prescription before it runs out.
What happens if I overdose?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A fatal albuterol overdose can occur.
The symptoms of an overdose may include a dry mouth, rapid heartbeats, nausea, and a general feeling of ill health. Other signs can be convulsions or seizures, feeling faint, feeling lightheaded, feeling nauseous, feeling ill, feeling nauseous, feeling lightheaded, feeling dizzy, feeling faint, feeling light-headed, feeling shaky, feeling shaky, feeling shaky, feeling shaky, feeling
Avoid this
If the medication comes into contact with your eyes, rinse with plenty of water immediately to rinse away and soothe them.
Side effects of Ventolin
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to Ventolin, seek immediate medical attention: Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue
If you experience:
- If you experience wheezing or other respiratory problems, discontinue use of this medication.
- Chest pain, rapid heart rate, or heart fluttering;
- Headaches in the neck and ears.
- Pain or burning after urinating;
- High blood sugar: increased thirst, increased urine, dry mouth, and fruity breath smell;
- Low potassium, leg cramps, constipation, increased thirst or urination, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness
Ventolin may cause side effects such as:
- Chest pain; fast or pounding heartbeats;
- Dizziness;
- Upset stomach, vomiting;
- Painful urination
- Feeling nervous or shaky
- Back pain, headaches, and body aches are all common symptoms.
- Cough, sore throat, and sinus pain. Runny nose or stuffy.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking, including:
- Bronchodilators or any other inhaled medicine;
- Digoxin;
- A diuretic, or "water pills."
- Antidepressants include amitriptyline (desipramine), imipramine (doxepin), nortriptyline, and other drugs.
- A beta-blocker, such as atenolol or carvedilol.
- MAO Inhibitors: Isocarboxazid (linezolid), Methylene Blue injection, Phenelzine (Rasgiline), Selegiline (Tranylcypromine), and Others
The list below is not exhaustive. Albuterol may also interact with other drugs, such as prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all drug interactions.
