

Asthma is a potentially life-threatening lung disease. Fortunately, it can usually be controlled with medication. Most people with asthma lead active, productive lives.
When you have asthma, the airways that carry air into and through your lungs become sensitive to irritants, like pollen, smoke, or even cold weather. When you breathe these irritants, the muscles around the airways tighten, making breathing harder. This is called bronchospasm. Other substances like pollen, dust mites, and animal dander, called allergens, are common asthma triggers, and may also cause the described problems in the airways.
Repeated exposure to these irritants and/or allergens causes the airways to become swollen, or inflamed. As this inflammation gets worse, the airways grow more sensitive and narrow so that getting air into -- and out of -- the lungs can be very difficult, sometimes even impossible.
People with asthma experience wheezing, breathlessness, coughing and tightening of the chest, particularly at night or in the early morning. Some people have mild asthma and others have a more troublesome form of the condition. However, all forms of asthma must be taken seriously.
Asthma is a very common condition in the United States and other developed countries. In fact:
Browse these topics in the Asthma Relief section:
PROVENTIL® HFA Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in adults and children 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.
Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 12 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 PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols, contact your doctor immediately because this reaction can be life threatening. Worsening symptoms often occur with the first use of a new canister.
What to tell your doctor before using PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols: 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 medications you are taking — especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression — because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work.
Side effects with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols are similar: In a clinical study, side effects associated with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols were similar and included infection of the ears, nose, and throat, runny nose, nausea, tremor, and nervousness. Rapid heart beat, vomiting, chest pain, and palpitation occurred more frequently with PROVENTIL® HFA.
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.
For additional important product information, see The PROVENTIL® HFA Package Insert.
For additional important product information on the Warrick inhaler, see The Albuterol Package Insert.
Note: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any questions about your treatment or medical condition, please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider.
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