Proventil
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Proventil
Proventil is a sympathomimetic (beta agonist) bronchodilator drug. It acts by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airway (bronchus), which allows air to flow in and out of the lungs more easily.
Therapeutic Uses of Proventil
Proventil is used in treatment of breathing problems in patients who have asthma or certain other airway diseases like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It may also be used for other conditions as your doctor decides.
Direction of use of Proventil
Use Proventil as per direction of your doctor and read the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. An extra patient leaflet is also available with Proventil, also if you have any questions about Proventil ask you doctor or other health care provider.
Remove a vial from the foil pouch and place the remaining vials back into the pouch for storage. You should not use Proventil if it contains particles, if it is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
For using Proventil, twist-open the top of the vial and pour the entire contents into the nebulizer reservoir and connect the nebulizer reservoir to the mouthpiece or face mask. Connect the nebulizer to the compressor. Sit in a comfortable and upright position than place the mouthpiece in your mouth or put the face mask on and turn on the nebulizer. Breathe as calmly, deeply, and evenly as possible until no more mist is formed in the nebulizer chamber which takes about 5 to 15 minutes.
Proventil is for inhalation only and you should protect your eyes while using it. If you get Proventil Solution in the eyes, wash your eyes thoroughly immediately with cool tap water.
Clean the nebulizer according to the instructions in the instruction manual or as given by your doctor. If you do not clean the nebulizer properly, it can lead to bacteria entering the medicine and cause infection. To avoid bacteria entering the medicine, use the entire contents right after opening the vial for the first time and discard the remaing medicine.
Do not stop using Proventil without consulting your doctor. Do not mix this medicine with other medicines in the nebulizer unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
If You Miss a Dose of Proventil
If you miss a dose of Proventil and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose as several hours have passed after missing it, you should skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule and do not double the next dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor or other health care provider.
How to Store Proventil
Proventil should be stored at room temperature. Store it away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Keep Proventil out of the reach of children. Do not store Proventil in your bathroom.
More Information About Proventil
Proventil should not be taken with beta-blockers, like atenolol, propranolol or timolol, 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 is sometime seen with eye drops containing beta-blockers, e. g. which is used for glaucoma (timolol eye drop).
Do not share Proventil with others. If you have any question about Proventil, ask your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Proventil
Do not use Proventil if you suffer from any of the following medical conditions and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Proventil solution.
- If you are using another short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilator like metaproterenol; or drugs like epinephrine.
Some medical conditions may interact with Proventil Solution. Inform your doctor or other health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast feeding your baby.
- If you are taking any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine (over the counter medicines), any herbal preparation or dietary supplement.
- If you are allergic to any medicine, food or any other substance.
- If you have a history of seizures, diabetes mellitus, overactive thyroid, kidney problems, or adrenal gland tumors like pheochromocytoma.
- If you have a history of heart problem like fast or irregular heartbeat, heart failure; high blood pressure, low blood potassium levels etc.
- If you have history of an unusual reaction to another sympathomimetic medicine like pseudoephedrine.
- If you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) like phenelzine; tricyclic antidepressant like amitriptyline or if you have taken either of these medicines within the last 2 weeks.
Some medicines may interact with Proventil. Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines that may interact with Proventil. The following medicines may interact with Proventil:
- Diuretics like furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, because the risk of low blood potassium levels may be increased due to Proventil.
- Beta-blockers like propranolol, because they may decrease Proventil’s effectiveness.
- Digoxin because the effectiveness of it may be decreased by Proventil.
- Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors like entacapone; epinephrine, MAOIs like phenelzine; short acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators like metaproterenol; stimulants like amphetamine; sympathomimetics like pseudoephedrine; tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, because they may increase the risk of Proventil’s side effect.
Possible Adverse Effects of Proventil
- All medicines may cause side effect including Proventil. Some of the side effects are minor and some are serious. Consult with your doctor if any of the common side effects become persistent or become bothersome. The common side effects are nausea, headache, cough, dizziness, nervousness, sinus inflammation, sore throat, dry throat, tremor, trouble sleeping, unusual taste in mouth, vomiting etc.
- You should consult your doctor if you have any of the serious side effects of Proventil. Serious side effects of Proventil are severe allergic reaction (symptoms of allergic reaction are skin rash, hives, itching, and difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain, earache; fast and/or irregular heartbeat; trouble breathing, pounding in the chest (palpitation); severe headache or dizziness, unusual hoarseness of voice, wheezing etc.