Healthcare Professionals Patients ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol

EIB Active™ tips

Ways to prevent or reduce EIB or asthma symptoms

People with exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) have difficulty breathing after physical activity, such as sports and exercise. Taking a dose of ProAir® HFA 15-30 minutes before the start of exercise can prevent or reduce EIB symptoms for 2 to 3 hours in most people.1

Here are other steps you can take to prevent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and other symptoms of EIB:1
  • Remember to warm up before you start exercising
  • Try to breathe through your nose as much as possible
  • Remember to cool down after you exercise
  • Cold, dry air can trigger EIB—try to exercise indoors, or wear a scarf around your mouth when it's cold
  • Consider getting a flu shot, and don't exercise if you are sick
  • Keep track of your allergies and take steps to avoid exposure to allergens (things that cause allergy symptoms)
  • Try exercising indoors when pollen counts are high
  • If you have asthma, using an asthma control medication may help reduce EIB symptoms
  • Make sure that your coaches and trainers are aware that you have EIB or asthma, and that they know what to do if you start to have symptoms or an attack

Reference

  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.
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.