Proventil HFA precautions

List of precautions
General precautions Diabetes mellitus/ketoacidosis/hypokalemia Overuse

General precautions
General Albuterol sulfate, as with all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension; in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus; and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. Clinically significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure have been seen in individual patients and could be expected to occur in some patients after use of any beta-adrenergic bronchodilator. Return to top

Diabetes mellitus/ketoacidosis/hypokalemia
Large doses of intravenous albuterol have been reported to aggravate preexisting diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis. As with other beta-agonists, albuterol may produce significant hypokalemia in some patients, possibly through intracellular shunting, which has the potential to produce adverse cardiovascular effects. The decrease is usually transient, not requiring supplementation. Return to top

Overuse
The action of Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol should last up to 4 to 6 hours. Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol should not be used more frequently than recommended. Do not increase the dose or frequency of doses of Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol without consulting your physician. If you find that treatment with Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol becomes less effective for symptomatic relief, your symptoms become worse, and/or you need to use the product more frequently than usual, medical attention should be sought immediately. While you are taking Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol, other inhaled drugs and asthma medications should be taken only as directed by your physician. Return to top