What is Proventil and when is it used?

Proventil is the brand name owned by the American pharmaceutical giant Schering-Plough. The active agent of the formulation is Albuterol. It is a selective excitant of beta2-receptors in the bronchi which causes their expanding. The effect of the formulation available in a form of the inhaler is due to the local action on the smooth muscles of the bronchi that become tense in an asthmatic bronchospasm or a bronchospasm due to COPD, bronchitis, and so on.

This inhaler is also available under other names as it was developed a while ago and now no company holds an exclusive patent to use Albuterol for the production of their medicines only. To find a cheaper version of the branded drug when your doctor tells you to buy Proventil you should ask pharmacists for generic Proventil or better look for the inhaler at the online drugstores.

The inhalers based on Albuterol start rendering their effect within minutes after the inhaler actualization, which make it possible to use them in an acute attack. The expansion of the bronchi due to the inhaler use is maintained within up to six hours.

In emergency cases, the best and soonest effect is achieved in the use of two inhalations. But patients must be informed that more inhalations don’t contribute to further improvement of symptoms but rather to the intensification of adverse reactions.

The use of the inhaler is also reasonable in bronchitis because it not only expands the bronchi facilitating breathing but also improves coughed-up material spitting.

The inhalers based on Albuterol can be used for:
- Urgent stopping of an acute asthma attack;
- Urgent management of bronchospasm in other obstructive diseases such as lung emphysema, bronchitis, and COPD.
- Prophylaxis of asthma attacks before the exposure to an allergen or physical activity.

For the same conditions and intentions, other formulations or a combination of them can be used so it is wiser to consult a therapist who is able to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan based on the particular patient’s medical record.

Proventil prohibitions for use

The use of the formulation is contraindicated for people who are having unusual or allergic reactions to the inhaler.
It is also prohibited to buy generic Proventil and use it for kids younger than two years.

The inhaler can be used but only if a doctor approves in:
- Heart conditions;
- Renal or hepatic dysfunction;
- Poorly controlled blood pressure;
- Diabetes;
- Thyroid gland dysfunction;
- Pheochromocytoma.

Proventil dosing information

Here we provide the general recommendations for the inhaler dosing but for the optimal and safe treatment individual dosing regimen must be chosen by your respiratory specialist.

The guidelines on how the device itself is used are provided in the instruction that comes with it.

- Acute asthma/suffocation attack requires the inhalation of one dose. In a severe attack, two doses can be inhaled.
- As a prophylaxis of an asthma attack in exposure to an allergen or physical activity, two inhalations are made 10-15 minutes prior to the expected event. Children under twelve years are prescribed one inhalation and two as a maximum only if one isn’t enough.
- The supporting treatment in adult patients and kids is made with two inhalations made 4 times a day if the therapist does not prescribe another regimen.
If during the management of the condition with this formulation an individual starts suffering from more frequent acute episodes than before, he or she must inform their doctors so they would be able to select another treatment plan.

Proventil overdose

More than two inhalations per use of the inhaler are considered an overdose and can provoke such reactions as accelerated heart rate, lowered below norm arterial pressure, low potassium level, high glucose in the blood, hands shaking, headache, anxiety, cramps, etc.

To treat an overdose symptomatic measures are implanted as there is no effective way of washing it out of the body.

Proventil’s negative effects

When you buy Albuterol for the first time, you can discover that you are allergic to the medication. In this case, you can start suffering from the usual allergic reactions such as skin rash, swelling, and paradoxical bronchospasm. In case such adverse effects develop, you must not use the inhaler ever more but inform your therapist immediately and get the replacement drug as soon as your doctor gives you the name.

Other possible negative effects of the formulation are:
- Low potassium levels;
- Excitability, arm shake, headaches;
- Accelerated heartbeat and other heart symptoms;
- Irritation of the oral cavity;
- Muscle spasms;
- Ache in the throat, difficulty urination, enhanced sweating, high glucose, and others.

Proventil’s interactions with other formulations

When you buy generic Albuterol, make sure to check the interactions section in the package insert to make sure that you don’t combine it with the incompatible medications. Here we inform you about the most significant undesirable combinations of the medicines.

- When combined with substances that agitate the central nervous system, the inhaler potentiates their effect.
- The toxicity of the thyroid medications is enhanced by the use of the inhaler.
- Theophylline and ephedrine used at the same time as the inhaler enhances its negative effects.
- Prostaglandins synthesis inhibitors, Levodopa, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, and other medications that extend the QT elevate the risk of the adverse effects from the part of the heart.
- The effectiveness of beta-blockers, blood pressure-lowering medicines, and heart medications is lowered by the inhaler. Besides, the use of the inhaler with beta-blockers can cause bronchospasm.

Advises for safe use

Before you order Proventil, you need to get instructed by a qualified medical practitioner on how to use the inhaler since is it an emergency help medication and your safety depends on the correct use of the device.

The higher are the dosages used in acute asthma attacks, the more potent the following attacks can be so it is advised to stick to the maximum of two inhalations per use. Moreover, in an acute attack, one inhalation must be initially made and another one in 20 minutes and only if the first one didn’t render the sufficient effect.

In the occurrence of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, swelling or bronchospasm the further use of the formulation deemed unsafe and therefore must be discontinued and other therapy plan chosen.
The risk of severe adverse reactions is higher in an extended use of the inhaler in high doses or a abrupt discontinuation of the therapy.

As in the case with all metered inhalers, this formulation must be shaken well before the actualization. You also need to make sure that you breathe in at the same time you actualize the inhaler. If you find it hard to do so in an acute attack, you must use a special helper device called spacer.

Adverse effects (% of patients) in the three-month trial

Where is it better to buy Proventil?

The inhalers such as Proventil have to be used for long periods of time without interruptions to get control over the disease causing bronchospasms. Thus, it is quite costly to buy branded inhaler refills every time. We offer you to order generic Proventil that has the same composition as the branded one and is simply made by another drug-making company. The less known name of the medication ensures that it is several times cheaper.

Proventil shipping

We will ship your order to any corner of the world within one to three weeks depending on the chosen delivery service.

Free prescription
Our doctor prescribes online for free, and there is no doctor’s consultation fee.

Discrete packaging
All orders arrive in discrete unmarked parcels. We leave the shipment description blank.

For more answers see the FAQ section