• If you have an allergy to metaproterenol or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have a fast heartbeat.
• Metaproterenol works at sites in the airways to relax the muscles and improve oxygen delivery.
Oral:
• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• A liquid (syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
Inhaler:
• Follow directions given by healthcare provider. Do not use more than the maximum recommended daily dose.
• For inhaling (puffing) only by an inhaler or as a liquid (solution) through a special machine (nebulizer) into the lungs.
• A spacer can be used with the inhaler for easier delivery.
• Shake well before use.
• If you are using more than one type of inhaler, ask healthcare provider which inhaler to use first.
• Rinse out mouth after each use.
• Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Read and follow all instructions provided with inhaler. Using the inhaler the right way is very important.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Monitor asthma with peak flow meter.
• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not use if solution changes color.
Created: 2006-10-13 14:07:07.0
Modified: 2010-03-17 10:34:35.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• This medicine is used to open the airways in lung diseases where spasm may cause breathing problems.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Wear disease medical alert identification.
• If you have diabetes, this medicine may sometimes raise blood sugars. Talk with healthcare provider about how to adjust for this.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have an overactive thyroid, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Nervous and excitable.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Inability to sleep.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Unable to get breathing attack under control. Get emergency medical care right away. • Peak flow measurement low.
• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Very nervous and excitable.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
