Description
Metaproterenol is used to treat asthma and bronchospasm in patients with bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.
Metaproterenol belongs to the family of medicines known as adrenergic bronchodilators. Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
- Syrup
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of metaproterenol oral solution and tablets in children younger than 6 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of metaproterenol in geriatric patients.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Iobenguane I 123
- Methacholine
- Sotalol
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Diabetes or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or
- Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia) or
- Tachycardia (fast or rapid heartbeat)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Proper Use
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop using this medicine or any asthma medicine without telling your doctor. To do so may increase the chance for breathing problems.
Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For asthma and bronchospasm:
- For oral dosage form (solution):
- Adults—Two teaspoonfuls (10 milliliters [mL]) three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children older than 9 years of age or weighing more than 60 pounds (lbs)—Two teaspoonfuls (10 mL) three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children 6 to 9 years of age or weighing less than 60 lbs—One teaspoonful (5 mL) three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your child's doctor.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- Adults—20 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children older than 9 years of age or weighing more than 60 pounds (lbs)—20 mg three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children 6 to 9 years of age or weighing less than 60 lbs—10 mg three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use is not recommended.
- For oral dosage form (solution):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.
Check with your doctor at once if you or your child continue to have breathing problems after using a dose of this medicine or if your condition gets worse.
Do not change your dose or stop using this medicine without asking your doctor first.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
Less common
- Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- worsening of asthma
Rare
- Blurred vision
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- fainting
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- increased sweating
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness of the face and fingers
- runny nose
- shivering
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sore throat
- sweating
- swelling
- trouble sleeping
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- chest discomfort
- chest tightness or heaviness
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- dry mouth
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- shortness of breath
- sleeplessness
- unable to sleep
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
Rare
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in appetite
- drowsiness
- dry mouth or throat
- itching skin
- pain
- raised red swellings on the skin, lips, tongue, or in the throat
- tightening of the muscles
- weakness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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