Healthcare Professionals Patients ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol

Asthma symptoms

Some common symptoms of asthma include:1
  • A whistling or wheezing sound when you breathe
  • Coughing, especially a dry, persistent cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness
You are more likely to have asthma symptoms at night or in the early morning.1

Not everyone with asthma has the same symptoms. In fact, many people who have asthma don't even know it. Some people with asthma are more likely to cough rather than wheeze.1 For some people, asthma symptoms are seasonal. Other people find that sports or exercise trigger asthma symptoms.1

Wheezing is an asthma symptom

When people think about asthma, they often think of wheezing. Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound when you breathe. Wheezing, especially in children, is a common symptom of asthma. However, some people with asthma do not wheeze at all.1 People may also wheeze if they have a cold or respiratory infection even if they don't have asthma.2,3

Coughing and asthma

Coughing, especially a chronic cough, can be a symptom of asthma. About a quarter of people with chronic cough have asthma.4,5 For some people with asthma, their only symptom is coughing.1 When coughing is the main or only symptom of asthma, it's called cough-variant asthma (or CVA).5

CVA can be difficult to diagnose.5 Often the best way to know if a cough is due to asthma is to see if the cough responds to asthma medications5 such as ProAir® HFA. The treatment for CVA is the same as for other types of asthma.5

Other signs of asthma

You may also want to ask your healthcare provider about asthma if you have frequent or severe chest colds1 or frequent bouts of acute bronchitis.6 Bronchitis and asthma often have similar symptoms.7 Between a third and two thirds of people who have been diagnosed with bronchitis may actually have asthma.6

Remember, only a healthcare provider can diagnose asthma, but we've developed an asthma symptoms checklist to help you talk about your symptoms with him or her.

ProAir® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Important Safety Information

If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.

What to tell your doctor before using ProAir® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Side effects associated with ProAir® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References
  1. NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm. Accessed April 20, 2010.
  2. Parainfluenza: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001370.htm [Accessed October 28, 2010].
  3. CDC - RSV: Frequently Asked Questions. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/faq.html [Accessed October 28, 2010].
  4. Pratter MR, Bartter T, Akers S, Dubois J. An Algorithmic Approach to Chronic Cough. Ann Intern Med. 1993;119(10):977 -983.
  5. Dicpinigaitis PV. Chronic cough due to asthma: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006;129(1 Suppl):75S-79S.
  6. Braman SS. Chronic cough due to acute bronchitis: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006;129(1 Suppl):95S-103S.
  7. Knutson D, Braun C. Diagnosis and management of acute bronchitis. Am Fam Physician. 2002;65(10):2039-2044.