Ventolin (Albuterol) for COPD

Overview
Ventolin is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people age 4 and older with reversible obstructive airway disease. Ventolin is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Ventolin may be referred to by its drug name, Albuterol.

Ventolin is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and a bronchodilator, or drug that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles in the lungs and makes it easier to breathe. Ventolin is believed to work by relaxing smooth muscles in the airways. Ventolin is considered a short-acting bronchodilator.

How do I take it?
Ventolin is inhaled orally every four to six hours, or 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.

Ventolin comes in the form of an aerosol inhaler.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Ventolin lists common side effects including cough, sore throat, cold symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Ventolin include cardiovascular effects, paradoxical bronchospasm (bronchospasm caused by taking medication), hypersensitivity reactions, and changes in blood glucose or electrolyte levels.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Ventolin – GSK
http://www.ventolin.com/