Common Use

Proventil is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease and to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Dosage and Direction

Use Proventil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

Precautions

Before using the inhaler for the first time, prime it by spraying 4 test sprays into the air, away from your face. Shake well before priming. Also, prime the inhaler if you haven't used it for 2 weeks or longer or if you've dropped it.

Contraindications

Do not use Proventil if you are allergic to salbutamol. Consult your doctor if you have the following conditions, as you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure
• Heart rhythm disorder
• Seizure disorder such as epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Overactive thyroid

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is unknown whether salbutamol passes into breast milk or could harm a nursing baby.

Possible Side Effects

Seek emergency medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• Bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), especially after starting a new canister
• Chest pain and fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
• Tremor or nervousness
• Low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness)
• Dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure)

Less serious side effects may include:

• Headache, dizziness, nervousness
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Cough, hoarseness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose
• Dry mouth and throat
• Muscle pain
• Diarrhea

Drug Interaction

Before using Proventil, inform your doctor if you are taking:

• Diuretics (water pills)
• Digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
• Beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), and others
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others
• MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Other bronchodilators such as levalbuterol (Xopenex), bitolterol (Tornalate), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine, Bricanyl), salmeterol (Serevent), isoetherine (Bronkometer), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), or isoproterenol (Isuprel Mistometer)

Inform your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.

Missed Dose

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use it at the next scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you suspect an overdose. Symptoms may include nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, chest pain, rapid or uneven heart rate, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, dizziness, seizure, fainting, or feeling light-headed.

Storage

Store Proventil at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Avoid extreme heat, which can cause the canister to burst. Do not store it in your car on hot days or throw an empty canister into an open flame.

Disclaimer

This information provides a general overview of Proventil and does not cover all directions, drug interactions, or precautions. It should not be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Always consult your healthcare provider for specific instructions. We disclaim reliability for this information and any errors it may contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from the use of this information or self-treatment.