Albuterol

Other Names: Accuneb, Proventil, Proair, Ventolin.

Commonly Prescribed For: Albuterol is generally prescribed for treating and preventing wheezing, chest tiredness due to lung disease like asthma, COPD. Albuterol inhalation aerosol can also be used for preventing breathing difficulties during exercise.

How to Take it: Albuterol is available as a solution to be inhaled via mouth using nebulizer. This medication also comes as an aerosol to be inhaled via mouth using an inhaler. This inhalation is normally used for every four to six hours. The inhalation aerosol is generally used 15 minutes or half an hour before exercise. Take Albuterol as prescribed.

How it Works: Albuterol belongs to a group of drugs known as bronchodilators. It relaxes and opens the air passages leading to the lungs, which makes breathing faster and more efficient.

Some Side Effects: Common side effects include nervousness, muscle aches, headache, throat irritation, nausea and cough. Some serious side effects include irregular heartbeat, hoarseness, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, rash, increased breathing difficulty, rash, and inflammation of the throat, eyes or lower legs and hives.