Isoetharine Description

Generic Name : ISOETHARINE

Pronunciation : (eye soe eth' a reen)

Trade Name(s) :

Why it is prescribed: Isoetharine, a bronchodilator, relaxes and opens the air passages to the lungs, making it easier to breathe. It is used to treat asthma attacks and breathing problems caused by bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.

When it is to be taken: Isoetharine is used as needed but usually should not be used more often than every four hours. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Isoetharine starts to work immediately and goes on working for up to four hours.

How it should be taken: Isotharine comes as a liquid to be inhaled with a special hand-bulb nebulizer and as an aerosol for oral inhalation with a special inhaler. Your prescription label tells you how many inhalations to take at a time. To use the aerosol inhaler or liquid nebulizer, follow the instructions that come with it and these steps:
1. Shake the aerosol inhaler well.
2. Breathe out as completely as possible through your nose while keeping your mouth shut.
3. Place the mouthpiece well into your mouth, past your front teeth. Close your lips firmly around the mouthpiece.
4. Take a slow, deep breath through the mouthpiece and, at the same time, press down on the aerosol container or squeeze the nebulizer bulb to spray the medication into your mouth. Be sure that the medication goes into your throat and is not blocked by your teeth or tongue. Adults giving the treatment to a young child may hold the child's nose closed to be sure that the medication goes into the child's throat.
5. Hold your breath for a few seconds, remove the mouthpiece, and exhale slowly. If you are to take another aerosol inhalation, wait one minute and shake the inhaler well before taking the second inhalation.
6. If you have difficulty getting the medication into your lungs, a "spacer" may help; ask your doctor. If you have used isoetharine as directed and still cannot breather freely, contact your doctor.

Special Instruction :
1. If this medication loses its effectiveness or if your condition worsens, stop using isoetharine and contact your doctor immediately.
2. Do not use this medication more often or take more inhalations at each dose than as directed.
3. Increasing your dose can be dangerous and can decrease the drug's effectiveness.
4. If your sputum thickens or changes color from clear white to yellow, green, or gray, contact your doctor; these changes may be signs of an infection.
5. Do not use the liquid if it is discolored; it should be clear and colorless.

Side Effects :
1. Irritated air passages, cough, tremors, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, excitement, dizziness, anxiety, tension, restlessness, insomnia. Contact your doctor if these effects are severe or persist.
2. Increased difficulty breathing; wheezing; shortness of breath; red, itchy, skin; faintness; fast heartbeat; palpitations. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Before using isoetharine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially beta blockers like atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, and timolol and other asthma medications.
2. Before using isoetharine, tell your doctor if you ever had a bad rection to albuterol, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, or terbutaline.
3. Many nonprescription medications contain these drugs e.g., diet pills and medications for colds or asthma, so check the labels carefully. Do not take any of these drugs without consulting your doctor.
4. If your doctor directs you use any of them, do not take them within four hours of taking isoetharine.
5. Before you use isoetharine, tell your doctor if you have an overactive thyroid gland, high blood pressure, or heart disease or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
6. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and light.
3. Avoid puncturing the aerosol container.