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| Pronunciation |
|
 (met
a proe TER e
nol) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Alupent® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Beta2 Agonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
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- If you have an allergy to metaproterenol or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any rapid abnormal
heartbeats.
|
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to opens the airways in diseases (asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) where spasm may cause breathing
problems.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Metaproterenol works at sites in the airways to relax the muscle and
improve oxygen delivery.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- For inhaling (puffing) only by an inhaler or as a liquid (solution)
through a special machine (nebulizer) into the lungs.
- Follow directions given by healthcare provider. Do not go over
maximally recommended daily dose.
- Spacer can be used with inhaler for easier delivery. This gets more
medicine into the lungs.
- Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the
inhaler the right way is very important. Shake well before using.
- If you are using more than one type of inhaler, use metaproterenol
first then others.
- Tablets/syrup may be taken with or without food. Take with food if
this medicine causes an upset
stomach.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- Can be taken on an as needed basis.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for lung disease.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- If exercise causes symptoms, use inhaled dose immediately before
activity to prevent them.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Inability to sleep, nervousness, shakiness, hyperactivity.
- Rapid or pounding heartbeat.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Dry mouth. Rinse out mouth with water after each use.
- Inhaled medicine has the fewest side
effects.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for changes in breathing. Is breathing better, worse, or about
the same?
- If you are using this medicine for asthma, monitor with peak flow
meter.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Unable to get breathing attach under control.
- Very nervous and excitable.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
- Metered-dose inhalers should be at room temperature for best
effects.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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