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What is isoetharine inhalation?
Isoetharine is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. Isoetharine inhalation is used to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Isoetharine inhalation is not commercially available in the United States. Isoetharine inhalation may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of isoetharine inhalation?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using isoetharine inhalation and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or

• chest pains or an irregular heart beat.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use isoetharine inhalation and talk to your doctor if you experience

• headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, or insomnia;

• tremor or nervousness;

• sweating;

• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or

• dry mouth.

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.

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How should I use isoetharine inhalation?
Use isoetharine inhalation exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Use isoetharine inhalation exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. To use the inhaler: Shake the inhaler several times and uncap the mouthpiece. Breathe out fully and place your lips around the mouthpiece. Take a deep, slow breath as you push down on the canister. Hold your breath for several seconds, then exhale slowly.

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What is the most important information I should know about isoetharine inhalation?
Isoetharine inhalation is not commercially available in the United States. It is very important that you use your isoetharine inhaler or nebulizer properly, so that the medicine gets into your lungs. Your doctor may want you to use a spacer with your inhaler. Talk to your doctor about proper inhaler and nebulizer use. Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

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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.

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What other drugs will affect isoetharine inhalation?
Before using isoetharine inhalation, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Inderal), and others; a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others; a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); another inhaled bronchodilator; or

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Isoetharine inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether isoetharine inhalation will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether isoetharine passes into breast milk. Do not use isoetharine inhalation without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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What does my inhaler look like?
Isoetharine inhalation is available with a prescription under the brand name Bronkometer. 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. Bronkometer 0.34 mg per inhalation--white-coated glass container with a white actuator

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an isoetharine overdose include angina or chest pain, irregular heartbeats or a fluttering heart, seizures, tremor, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

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Who should not use isoetharine inhalation?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or high blood pressure, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, diabetes, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or any type of liver or kidney disease. You may require a lower dose or special monitoring during therapy with isoetharine inhalation if you have any of the conditions listed above. Isoetharine inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether isoetharine inhalation will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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