METAPROTERENOL

(meh ta proe TER e nall) Brand: Alupent, Metaprel

What is the most significant information I must know about metaproterenol?

• It is very significant that you use the metaproterenol inhaler or nebulizer properly, so that the medication gets into the lungs. Your doctor may want you to use a spacer with the inhaler. Conversation to your doctor about proper inhaler and nebulizer use.

• Search medical attention if you announcement that you require more than your normal or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medicine in a 24-hour period. An heighten need for medicine could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

What is metaproterenol?

• Metaproterenol is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

• Metaproterenol is used to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

• Metaproterenol may also be used for conditions another than those listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking metaproterenol?

• Till taking this medicine, speak your doctor if you have

· heart malady or tall blood pressure;

· epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

· diabetes;

· an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism); or

· liver malady; or

· kidney disease.

• You may require a dosage adjustment or particular monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

• Metaproterenol is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether metaproterenol will be deleterious to an unborn child. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

• It is not known whether metaproterenol passes into breast milk. Do not take metaproterenol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take metaproterenol?

• Take metaproterenol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

• Take the metaproterenol tablets with a full glass of water.

• To ensure that you get a correct doze, measure the liquid forms of metaproterenol with a particular dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

• To use the inhaler:

· Shake the inhaler different times and uncap the mouthpiece. Breathe out fully and seat your lips near the mouthpiece. Take a deep, slow breath as you push down on the canister. Keep your breath for different seconds, then exhale slowly.

· If you take more than one doze at a time, wait for at least 1 full minute, then repeat the procedure.

· Hold the inhaler clean and dry. Hold the mouthpiece capped when not in use. Clean the inhaler as instructed by the manufacturer.

• To use the solution for nebulization:

· Measure the correct amount of medicine with the dropper provided or select the predesigned number of ampules. Transfer the liquid into the medicine chamber of the nebulizer. If your medicine has a dropper, do not let the dropper to touch any surface including your hands or the chamber of the nebulizer. Dilute the medicine with usual saline if predesigned by your doctor.

· Attach the mouthpiece or person mask to the drug chamber. Then, attach the drug chamber to the compressor. Sit upright, in a suitable position, and put the mouthpiece into your mouth or put the person mask on, covering the nose and mouth. Breathe slowly and evenly before all of the medication has been inhaled (usually 5 to 15 minutes). The treatment is complete when no more mist is formed by the nebulizer and the drug chamber is empty.

· Clean the nebulizer after a treatment as directed by the manufacturer.

• If you also use a steroid inhaler, use the metaproterenol inhaler or nebulization solution first to open up your airways, then use the steroid inhaler as directed unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

• It is very significant that you use the metaproterenol inhaler or nebulizer properly, so that the medication gets into the lungs. Your doctor may want you to use a spacer with your inhaler. Conversation to your doctor about proper inhaler and nebulizer use.

• It is significant to take metaproterenol regularly to get the most benefit.

• Your doctor may want you to have lung function trials or another medical evaluations during treatment with metaproterenol to monitor progress and side effects.

• Store metaproterenol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for the following regularly scheduled doze, skip the missed doze and use the following one as directed. Do not take a double doze of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

• Symptoms of an metaproterenol overdose include angina or chest pain, irregular heartbeats or a fluttering heart, seizures, tremor, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

What must I avoid while taking metaproterenol?

• Avoid situations that may trigger an asthma onslaught such as exercising in cool, dry air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens such as pet fur.

What are the possible side effects of metaproterenol?

• If you experience any of the next serious side effects, stop taking metaproterenol and search abnormal medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or person; or hives); or

· chest pains or an irregular heart beat.

• Another, smaller serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take metaproterenol and conversation to your doctor if you experience

· headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, or insomnia;

· tremor or nervousness;

· sweating;

· nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or

· dry mouth.

• Side effects another than those listed here may also occur. Conversation to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect metaproterenol?

• Till taking metaproterenol, speak your doctor if you are taking any of the next medicines:

· a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Inderal), and others;

· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;

· a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

· other inhaled or oral bronchodilator; or

· caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants.

• You may not be able to take metaproterenol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or particular monitoring during treatment.

• Drugs another than those listed here may also interact with metaproterenol or affect your condition. Conversation to your doctor and pharmacist till taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about metaproterenol written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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