Type of medicine: bronchodilator
Generic and brand names: pirbuterol, inhalation; Maxair Autohaler
This medicine is known as a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are commonly used to treat the symptoms of lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. They relieve difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. They may be used 15 to 30 minutes before exercise to prevent exercise-induced asthma.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Talk with your healthcare provider if you are using any other short-acting aerosol bronchodilator or beta blocker medicine. When you use these medicines together with this one, it may affect your heart.
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.
This medicine is inhaled by mouth from an aerosol inhaler.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not change your dosage without your healthcare provider's approval. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Using too much may increase the risk of side effects. An adult should supervise the use of this medicine by a child.
Ask your healthcare provider if you should use this medicine during an asthma attack.
If you are using any other inhaled medicine, wait at least 5Â minutes between doses of your medicines.
Carefully read and follow all directions that come in your medicine package.
If you do not understand how to use the inhaler, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to demonstrate.
Clean the inhaler at least once a week by removing the mouthpiece cover and wiping with a clean, dry cloth.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use 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.
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: chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, tremors, nervousness, muscle cramps or weakness.
Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using any nonprescription medicines, especially other inhaled medicines.
If you need to use the medicine more often, if your symptoms do not improve, or if your condition gets worse, contact your healthcare provider right away.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
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).
Other: Hoarseness, coughing, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, headache, restlessness, trouble sleeping, trembling, pounding heartbeat, weakness.
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:
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.
Aerosol inhaler: Store at room temperature protected from heat. Do not puncture the canister. Do not use near heat or an open flame. Do not throw inhaler into an open fire or incinerator.
Nebulizer solution: Store at room temperature. Keep containers tightly closed. Protect from heat and bright light. Do not use solutions that are cloudy or discolored
If you have the AccuNeb solution and remove a vial from the foil pouch but do not use it right away, keep it out of bright light and use it within 1 week. Use the medicine only if it is clear and not cloudy.
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.
