BRONCHODILATORS, ADRENERGIC

Brand & Generic Names

Adrenalin	EpiPen Auto-Injector
Aerolone	EpiPen Jr. Auto-Injector
ALBUTEROL	ETHYLNOREPINEPHRINE
Alupent	FENOTEROL
Arm-a-Med Isoetharine	ISOETHARINE
Arm-a-Med Metaproterenol	ISOPROTERENOL
AsthmaHaler	Isuprel
AsthmaNefrin	Isuprel Glossets
Berotec	Isuprel Mistometer
BITOLTEROL	Maxair
Brethaire	Medhaler-Epi
Brethine	Medhaler-Iso
Bricanyl	Metaprel
Bronitin Mist	METAPROTERENOL
Bronkaid Mist	microNEFRIN
Bronkaid Mist Suspension	Norisodrine Aerotrol
Bronkaid Mistometer	Novosalmol
Bronkephrine	PIRBUTEROL
Bronkometer	Primatene Mist
Bronkosol	Primatene Mist Suspension
Dey-Dose Isoetharine	Pro-Air
Dey-Dose Isoetharine S/F	PROCATEROL
Dey-Dose Isoproterenol	Prometa
Dey-Dose Metaproterenol	Proventil
Dey-Dose Racepinephrine	Proventil Repetabs
Dey-Lute Isoetharine	Sus-Phrine
Dey-Lute Isoetharine S/F	TERBUTALINE
Dey-Lute Metaproterenol	Tornalate
Dispos-a-Med Isoetharine	Vapo-Iso
Dispos-a-Med Isoptroterenol	Vaponefrin
Ephed II	Ventolin
EPHEDRINE	Ventolin Rotocaps
EPINEPHRIN

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes, for most.
• Available as generic? Yes, for some.
• Drug class: Sympathomimetic

Uses

• Relieves bronchial asthma.
• Decreases congestion of breathing passages.
• Suppresses allergic reactions.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid. You may chew or crush tablet.
Extended-release tablets or capsules--Swallow each dose whole.
Syrup--Take as directed on bottle.
Drops--Dilute dose in beverage.
Aerosol inhalor--follow directions in package.

When to take:
As needed, no more often than every 4 hours.

If you forget a dose:
Take up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents cells from releasing allergy-causing chemicals (histamines).
Relaxes muscles of bronchial tubes.
Decreases blood vessel size and blood flow, thus causing decongestion.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 to 60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs with ephedrine, pseeudoephedrine or epinephrine.
Non-prescription drugs for cough, cold, allergy or asthma without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe anxiety, confusion, delirium, muscle tremors, rapid and irregular pulse, severe weakness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see previous section.

Common:

• Nervousness, anxiety, headache, large pupils, paleness, increased blood pressure, trembling, dry mouth.
• Insomnia.

Infrequent:

• Irregular heartbeat, chest pain, hallucinations.
• Dizziness, dry mouth, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, painful or difficult urination, coughing.

Rare:

• Muscle cramps, difficulty in breathing.
• Smell or taste changes.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to ephedrine or any bronchodilator* drug.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have overactive thyroid gland.
• If you have difficulty urinating.
• If you have taken any MAO inhibitor in the past 2 weeks.
• If you have taken digitalis preparations in the last 7 days.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have pheochromocytoma.

Over age 60:
More likely to develop high blood pressure, heart-rhythm disturbances, angina and to feel drug's stimulant effects.

Pregnancy:
Animal studies show possible fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
No problems expected for most. Use only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Excessive doses--Rare toxic psychosis.
• Men with enlarged prostate gland may have more urination difficulty.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check ECG*, blood pressure.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
May affect results in some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Antidepressants,	Increased effect of
tricyclic (TCA)*	bronchodilator. Excessive stimulation
	of heart and blood pressure.
Antihypertensives*	Decreased antihypertensive effect.
Beta-adrenergic	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Digitalis	Serious heart-rhythm disturbances.
Epinephrine	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Ergot preparations*	Serious blood pressure rise.
Finasteride	Decreased finasteride effect.
Furazolidine	Sudden severe increase in blood
	pressure.
Guanadrel	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Guanethidine	Decreased effect of both drugs.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased bronchodilator effect.
	Dangerous blood pressure rise.
Methyldopa	Possible increased blood pressure.
Nitrates*	Possible decreased effects of both
	drugs.
Phenothiazines*	Possible increased bronchodilator
	toxicity. Possible decreased
	bronchodilator effect.
Pseudoephedrine	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Rauwolfia	Decreased rauwolfia effect.
Sympathomimetics*	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.
Theophylline	Increased gastrointestinal
	intolerance.
Thyroid Drugs	Increased bronchodilator effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Caffeine drinks.	Nervousness or insomnia.
Cocaine:	High risk of heartbeat
	irregularities and high
	blood pressure.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Rapid heartbeat, possible
	heart rhythm disturbance.
Tobacco:	None expected.