Albuterol

Airet; Proventil; Proventil HFA; Ventolin; Ventolin HFA; Volmax
Other name(s): Salbutamol Logo

Brand name(s): Airet; Proventil; Proventil HFA; Ventolin; Ventolin HFA; Volmax
Other name(s): Salbutamol

How should this medicine be used?

Albuterol comes as a tablet, extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and a syrup to take by mouth and as an aerosol, a solution (liquid), and a powder-filled capsule to inhale by mouth. The solution is inhaled using a nebulizer, and the powder-filled capsules are inhaled using a special dry powder inhaler. Albuterol tablets and syrup are usually taken three or four times a day, and extended-release tablets are usually taken twice a day. For the treatment or prevention of asthma symptoms, the oral inhalation is usually used every 4 to 6 hours as needed. For the prevention of bronchospasm during exercise, the oral inhalation is used 15 minutes before exercise. The nebulized solution is used three or four times a day.

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take albuterol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Albuterol controls symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases but does not cure them. Do not stop taking albuterol without talking to your doctor.

Before you use the albuterol inhaler for the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use it. Practice using the inhaler while he or she watches.

Before using the aerosol inhaler for the first time and any time it has not been used in more than 4 weeks, "test spray" the inhaler. Do this by spraying 4 times into the air.

To use the aerosol inhaler, follow these steps:

• Shake the inhaler well.
• Remove the protective cap.
• Exhale (breathe out) as completely as possible through your nose while keeping your mouth shut.
• Open Mouth Technique: Open your mouth wide, and place the open end of the mouthpiece about 1-2 inches from your mouth.Closed Mouth Technique: Place the open end of the mouthpiece well into your mouth, past your front teeth. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
• Take a slow, deep breath through the mouthpiece and, at the same time, press down on the container to spray the medication into your mouth. Be sure that the mist goes into your throat and is not blocked by your teeth or tongue. Adults giving the treatment to young children may hold the child's nose closed to be sure that the medication goes into the child's throat.
• Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds, remove the inhaler, and exhale slowly through your nose or mouth. If you take two puffs, wait 2 minutes and shake the inhaler well before taking the second puff.
• Replace the protective cap on the inhaler.
• After each treatment, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.

If you have difficulty getting the medication into your lungs, a spacer (a special device that attaches to the inhaler) may help; ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist for more information.

Use only the adapter that comes with your canister. Do not use the adapter with any other product canister.

To use the dry powder inhaler, follow these steps:

• Remove the inhaler from its container and check to make sure it is clean and dry. Make sure that there are no objects in the mouthpiece.
• Keep the inhaler upright and hold the darker-colored end in one hand. Turn the lighter-colored end as far as it can go in either direction.
• Take a powder-filled capsule from its pack and place the clear (thinner) end of the capsule in the raised hole in the lighter-colored end of the inhaler. If there is a used capsule shell in the inhaler, it will be pushed into the chamber.
• Push the new capsule in until it is even with the top of the hole in the inhaler.
• Hold the inhaler level (horizontally) with the white dot uppermost, and turn the lighter-colored end (where the capsule was put in) as far as it will go in the opposite direction. This will open the capsule.
• Keep the inhaler level. Breathe out as far as you comfortably can. Raise the inhaler to your mouth and gently put the mouthpiece (darker-colored end) between your teeth and lips. Do not push the inhaler further inside your mouth than your teeth.
• Hold the dark blue part of the inhaler so you won't accidentally inhale the device.
• Breathe in through your mouth as quickly and as deeply as you comfortably can.
• Hold your breath for a short time, then remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out.
• If your doctor has told you to inhale 2 capsules, repeat steps 2-9.

Last Revised: 07/01/2003

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