Asthma and exercise
Many people have asthma symptoms like coughing or wheezing when they exercise. If you have breathing trouble when you exercise, you may have a condition called
EIB (exercise-induced bronchospasm). Some people refer to this condition as exercise-induced asthma. EIB is very common among people with asthma, but people who don't have asthma can have EIB.
Most people with asthma can still exercise, play sports and live an active life. Use a quick-relief inhaler like
ProAir® HFA 15-30 minutes before exercise to reduce or prevent EIB symptoms.
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Exercise is more likely to trigger an asthma attack during cold weather. Exercise indoors or cover your mouth and nose when it's cold outside. Warming up before exercising and cooling down after can also help.
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Reference
- Sinha T, David AK. Recognition and management of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67(4):769-774, 675.
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.