What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your
next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a pirbuterol overdose include angina or chest pain, irregular heartbeats
or a fluttering heart, seizures, tremor, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
What should I avoid while using pirbuterol inhalation?
Avoid situations that may trigger an asthma attack such as exercising in cold, dry
air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens such as pet fur.
What are the possible side effects of pirbuterol inhalation?
Stop using pirbuterol and seek emergency medical attention if you experience
any of the following serious side effects:
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to use pirbuterol inhalation and talk to your doctor if you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect pirbuterol?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
-
a beta-blocker (used to treat high blood pressure and
other heart conditions) such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), or
propranolol (Inderal). These medicines may greatly decrease the effects of pirbuterol and
lead to an asthma attack.
-
other commonly used beta-blockers, including
acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg),
labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), and pindolol (Visken).
-
a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline
(Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), or nortriptyline (Pamelor). Very high blood pressure and
other effects harmful to the heart may occur if these medicines are taken with pirbuterol.
-
other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants,
including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin),
imipramine (Tofranil), and protriptyline (Vivactil).
-
a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Very high
blood pressure and other effects harmful to the heart may also occur if these medicines
are taken with pirbuterol.
-
another inhaled bronchodilator such as albuterol
(Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), isoetharine (Bronkometer, Bronkosol),
isoproterenol (Isuprel, Medihaler-Iso), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), salmeterol
(Servent), or terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl). Using other inhaled medicines
to open up your lungs will increase the risk of damage to your heart when you are taking
pirbuterol.
-
caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants. These may also
increase heart-related side effects.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
pirbuterol inhalation, or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about pirbuterol written for health
professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Pirbuterol is available with a prescription under the brand name Maxair. Other brand
or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you
have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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