Ventolin Inhaler

Common use

Ventolin is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. Ventolin Inhaler is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing of the airways in the lungs, in people with asthma or certain types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Dosage and direction

Use Ventolin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Ventolin Inhaler must be shaken well before each use. Always use the new inhaler device provided with your refill.
To prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, use this medicine 15 to 30 minutes before you exercise. The effects of Ventolin should last about 4 to 6 hours.

Precautions

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, high blood pressure; a thyroid disorder; seizures; diabetes; or low levels of potassium in your blood.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether albuterol will harm an unborn baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Ventolin Inhaler. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Contraindications

You should not use Ventolin if you are allergic to albuterol.
Ventolin inhaler is not approved for use by anyone younger than 4 years old.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Ventolin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have: wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine; chest pain, fast heart rate, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears; pain or burning when you urinate; high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.
Common Ventolin side effects may include: chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats; dizziness; upset stomach, vomiting; painful urination; feeling shaky or nervous; headache, back pain, body aches; or cough, sore throat, sinus pain, runny or stuffy nose.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: any other inhaled medicines or bronchodilators; digoxin; a diuretic or "water pill"; an antidepressant - amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline, and others; a beta blocker - atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others; or an MAO inhibitor - isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Missed dose

Ventolin should be used only when needed. Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, tremors, chest pain, fast heartbeats, nausea, general ill feeling, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed or fainting. Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, or cold temperatures. Store Ventolin Inhaler with the mouthpiece down. Keep the inhaler canister away from open flame or high heat.