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Before taking Salbutamol (Albuterol) make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you suffer from hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).
- If you suffer from heart problems.
- If you suffer high blood pressure.
- If you suffer from diabetes.
Who should NOT take this medication
Anyone allergic to any of the ingredients and those with abnormal heart rhythm associated with fast heart rate should not use this drug.
Use of anti-inflammatory agents
In accordance with the present practice for asthma treatment, use of anti-inflammatory medications therapy (e.g., corticosteroids such as inhaled beclomethasone, budesonide, or fluticasone) should be part of the regimen if inhaled salbutamol needs to be used on a regular daily basis. If asthma becomes worse (you need to use salbutamol more often, or it stops working) call the doctor for further instruction.
Diabetes
Care should be taken by people with diabetes. Salbutamol can induce reversible high blood glucose during nebulized administration. Monitor blood glucose carefully under such conditions.
Failure to respond
Failure to respond for at least 3 hours to a previously effective dose of salbutamol indicates that the asthma condition is getting worse and the doctor should be contacted promptly. Increasing use of fast-acting inhalers such as salbutamol to control symptoms is usually a sign of worsening asthma.
Pregnancy
Salbutamol has been in widespread use for many years without apparent ill consequence. However, there are no adequate and well-controlled studies with pregnant women, and there is little published evidence of its safety in the early stages of human pregnancy. Administration of any drug to pregnant women should only be considered if the anticipated benefits to the expectant woman are greater than any possible risks.
Breast-feeding
Since salbutamol is probably excreted in breast milk, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the benefit of the drug to the mother. It is not known whether salbutamol in breast milk has a harmful effect on the infant.
Drug interactions
The following medications may affect the way that salbutamol works or its effects on the body:
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide)
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline)
- other brochodilators (e.g., salmeterol, terbutaline)
- epinephrine
- beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, propranolol)
- ipratropium
- certain diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide)
- digoxin
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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