Proventil (Albuterol) Review

Proventil is the brand name for the generic drug albuterol sulfate. It is prescribed in an aerosol, in a capsule for inhalation, and as an inhalation solution for small children for the prevention and relief of bronchospasm in patients over the age of four years. These patients have difficulty breathing because their airways are obstructed or because they have an asthmatic reaction to exercise or other activities. In some cases Proventil is prescribed along with steroids or corticosteroids to reduce the swelling in the bronchial passages that makes breathing difficult. In most cases, you take two inhalations every four to six hours; regular use has proven to be the most effective means of preventing further attacks.

Some people experience side effects while taking Proventil. These can include high blood pressure, chest pains, dizziness, sleeplessness, and an unusual taste in the mouth. Other side effects that you might experience are tremors, nervousness, headache, nausea, bloating, nasal congestion, irregular heartbeat, throat irritation, stomach pain, dry mouth, hoarseness, cough, bronchitis, or wheezing. Many of these effects only occur in a very small percentage of patients. Other rare but serious effects involve the heart, and can result in an irregular pulse rate, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular problems. You might also experience the rare effect of paradoxical bronchospasm, in which your breathing difficulties are made worse, even to the degree of putting your life in danger.

There are some medications which may be dangerous if taken concurrently with Proventil. You should not use other aerosol inhalers at the same time as Proventil, as this could have a serious effect on your heart. You should use extreme caution taking Proventil if you are taking tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, digoxin, or diuretics. Some patients, also, should be very careful in using Proventil. These include people with cardiovascular disorders such as cardiac arrhythmias and high blood pressure. Others who should use caution in taking Proventil are those with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes. If you find that you need to take more doses of Proventil to manage your symptoms, or take them more often, you should contact your doctor.

Proventil is in pregnancy category A, which means that it has been shown to cause harm to fetuses in animal studies. No adequate studies have been done on pregnant humans, and no direct link has been established between taking Proventil and birth defects, but extreme caution is still advised in using it. It is not known whether Proventil passes into breast milk, but because of possibility of harm to the baby, you and your doctor should decide whether you will stop using Proventil while you nurse, or stop nursing so that you may use Proventil.

The safety and effectiveness of Proventil Aerosol and Capsules for Inhalation for children under four has not been established. The Inhalation Solution has been established for children ages two and up, but not for children younger than two. Any form of Proventil should be carefully monitored in children, but it can be very effective in helping children breathe freely.