Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are two lung conditions that can cause wheezing, breathing problems, chest tightness, and coughing. Albuterol is used to prevent and treat these symptoms (COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways). Bronchodilators are a group of drugs that includes albuterol. Breathing becomes simpler as a result of relaxation and opening of the lungs’ airways.

There are three oral dosage forms of albuterol: tablets, syrups, and long-acting tablets. Typically, the tablets and syrup are consumed three to four times each day. Typically, one extended-release pill is used every 12 hours. Take albuterol every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Administer albuterol as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Take the extended-release tablets with lots of water or another liquid and swallow them whole. Never eat, split, or crush them.

Your physician might prescribe you a modest dose of albuterol and then gradually increase it.

Albuterol won’t make your disease go away, but it may help you manage your symptoms. Albuterol should still be used even if you feel OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking albuterol.

If your symptoms worsen or you believe that albuterol is no longer controlling them, contact your doctor very away.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking albuterol,

• If you have any allergies, including to any of the substances in albuterol tablets, extended-release tablets, or capsules, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal items, and nutritional supplements you are now taking or intend to take. Beta blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (‘water pills’); epinephrine (Epipen, Primatene Mist); additional oral and inhaled medications for asthma; and medications for cold. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take, or have just stopped taking, any of the following drugs: antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and others (Parnate). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• If you have or have ever had an irregular heartbeat, heart problems, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism (a condition where the body produces too much thyroid hormone), diabetes, or seizures, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking albuterol.
• You should be aware that albuterol might occasionally induce wheezing and breathing problems. Make a quick call to your doctor if this occurs. Albuterol should not be used again unless your doctor advises you to.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Albuterol could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nervousness
• Shakiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Uncontrollable shaking of a bodily component
• Excessive activity or movement
• Unexpected mood swings
• Nosebleed
• Nausea
• Changing or decreasing one’s appetite
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Light skin

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Hammering, rapid, or erratic heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Bruises or a rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the lower legs, hands, feet, ankles, or face, neck, tongue, lips, eyes, or mouth
• Increased breathing difficulty
• Having trouble swallowing
• Hoarseness

Other negative effects of albuterol are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Seizures
• Chest pain
• Hammering, rapid, or inconsistent heartbeat
• Nervousness
• Headache
• Dry mouth Uncontrollable shaking of a body portion
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue
• Not enough energy
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.