Drug NameProventil (Albuterol/Salbutamol)
Drug UsesProventil is used for treating breathing problems in patients who have asthma or certain other airway diseases. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Drug Class and MechanismProventil is a sympathomimetic (beta agonist) bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airway, which allows air to flow in and out of the lungs more easily.
Warnings/PrecautionsDo NOT use Proventil Solution if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Proventil Solution
- you are using another short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilator (eg, metaproterenol) or epinephrine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Some medical conditions may interact with Proventil Solution. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of heart problems, (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart failure), blood vessel problems, high blood pressure, or low blood potassium levels
- if you have a history of seizures, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, kidney problems, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
- if you have ever had an unusual reaction to another sympathomimetic medicine (eg, pseudoephedrine)
- if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline), or if you have taken either of these medicines within the last 14 days
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Proventil Solution. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood potassium levels may be increased
- Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), epinephrine, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators (eg, metaproterenol), stimulants (eg, amphetamine), sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Proventil Solution's side effects
- Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because they may decrease Proventil Solution's effectiveness
- Digoxin because its effectiveness may be decreased by Proventil Solution
Possible Side EffectsAll medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
- Cough; dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore or dry throat; tremor; trouble sleeping; unusual taste in mouth; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
- Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; ear pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsened trouble breathing; pounding in the chest; severe headache or dizziness; unusual hoarseness; wheezing.
More InformationProventil should not be taken with beta-blockers, such as atenolol, propranolol or timolol. This is because beta-blockers have an opposite action to this medicine and cause the airways to narrow. This can result in breathing difficulties for people with asthma or COPD. This problem has sometimes been seen with eye drops containing beta-blockers, eg. used for glaucoma.
