Albuterol, Oral al-BYOO-ter-ole

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: bronchodilator

Generic and brand names: albuterol, oral; VoSpire ER

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. It relieves trouble breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or bronchodilator
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease or an abnormal heartbeat
• high blood pressure
• seizures
• thyroid disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine comes in tablets, capsules, and syrup forms you can take by mouth. Do not use the syrup if it turns dark or cloudy. If you have the syrup, use a special measuring spoon rather than a common kitchen spoon to make sure you are getting the right dose. Talk with your pharmacist about this.

If you have extended-release tablets, do not break, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more of it or use it more often than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: fast heartbeat, seizures, tremors, weakness, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, nervousness, headache, dizziness, dry mouth.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If you need emergency care or surgery, tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.

Contact your healthcare provider if you do not feel better after taking your medicine or if you feel worse.

Diabetics: If you are taking insulin or another medicine for diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider because your dosage may need to be changed.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, increased trouble breathing, irregular or fast heartbeat, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), seizures, severe shaking.

Other: Chest irritation, cough, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, headache, restlessness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, muscle cramps, trembling, weakness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• any other oral or inhaled medicines for asthma or other lung disease
• atomoxetine (Strattera)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol, carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), nebivolol (Bystolic), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol
• caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola)
• diabetes medicines such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta), metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), nateglinide (Starlix), repaglinide (Prandin), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics (water pills) such as bumetanide (Bumex), chlorothiazide (Diuril), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and torsemide (Demadex)
• ergot medicines for migraine headaches such as Cafergot and Ergomar
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• natural remedies such as ephedra (Ma Huang), St. Johns wort, and yohimbe
• pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in many cold and allergy medicines
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), maprotiline, nortriptyline (Pamelor), and protriptyline (Vivactil) (Do not take a tricyclic antidepressant and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.