Things You Need To Discuss With Your Health Provider Prior To Taking Albuterol
What is Albuterol
Used For?
Albuterol is a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators
are commonly used to treat symptoms of lung disorders
such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma. They
relieve difficulty in breathing, shortness of
breath, coughing, and wheezing. Albuterol may
be used before exercise to prevent exercise-induced
asthma.
When should I take it?
Albuterol is a sensitive drug specially targeted
to treat symptoms of asthma and bronchospasm.
Thus, it is imperative that you take it ONLY after
it has been recommended for you by a qualified
doctor. Your health care provider will only prescribe
Albuterol after making a thorough and complete
checkup and diagnosis.
Make sure that you understand all the directions
written on the medicine leaflet and also follow
the directions your doctor has advised you to
follow before taking Albuterol. If there is anything
about the drug and its usage that you do not understand,
consult your health care provider. You should
also tell him/her about all the problems you are
facing, so that a better treatment plan can be
worked out for you.
What Should My Health Care
Provider Know Before I Take This Medicine?
Before taking this medicine, tell your health
care provider if you have
- An allergy to any medicine
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease including abnormal heartbeats
and angina
- Hypokalemia or low blood potassium
- Thyroid problems
Talk with your health care provider if you are
using any other short-acting aerosol bronchodilator
or a beta blocker medicine. There is a strong
possibility that when you use these medicines
together with Albuterol, they may affect your
heart.
Things You Need To Ask Your
Health Care Provider
If You Are
a Pregnant and Nursing Woman Using Albuterol
Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant
or plan to become pregnant while using Albuterol.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm
an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking
this medicine without your health care provider's
approval.
Recommended
Amount of Dosage for Albuterol
Use this medicine exactly as your health care
provider prescribes for you. Do not change your
dosage unless recommended by you health care provider.
Using too much Albuterol may increase the risk
of side effects. Administration of Albuterol to
a child should be carefully supervised by an adult.
Timings and
Schedule for Intake of Albuterol
You should use this medicine according to a regular
schedule as prescribed by your health care provider.
Ask your health care provider if you should use
this medicine during an asthma attack. If you
are using any other inhaled medicine, wait at
least for 5 minutes between doses of your medicines.
Carefully read and follow all the
directions that come with your medicine package
and consult your health care provider for further
information.
Ask Your Health Care Provider About Nebulizer Solution
A solution is placed in a nebulizer and aerosol
spray known as a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which
delivers a measured dose each time you press down.
Ask your health care provider which nebulizer
to use and if you should use a mouthpiece or face
mask. Be sure to ask your health care provider
as to how and when to have nebulizer treatments
and how much medicine or drops to use. Only, your
health care provider will determine the exact
dosage of medicine to use.
Some Other Things to Discuss
With Your Health Care Provider
Check with your health care provider before using
any non-prescription medicines, especially other
inhaled medicines.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get
worse, immediately contact your health care provider.
This medicine may affect your blood sugar level
and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes
medicines you need. Talk to your health care provider
about this aspect of Albuterol. |