What is albuterol?
Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs.
Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm (wheezing, shortness of breath) caused by reversible obstructive airway disease in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.
Albuterol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about albuterol?
You should not use albuterol if you are allergic to it.
Before you take albuterol, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, seizures, diabetes, or overactive thyroid.
Tell your doctor if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
Do not take albuterol in larger amounts than recommended by your doctor. An overdose of albuterol can be fatal.
Albuterol can have long-lasting effects (up to 8 hours or longer). Do not take this medication more often than prescribed.
Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.
Breathing disorders are sometimes treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. You should remain under the care of a doctor while you are using albuterol.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking albuterol?
You should not use albuterol if you are allergic to it.
To make sure you can safely take albuterol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
Tell your doctor if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether albuterol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether albuterol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using albuterol.