Bambuterol
About
Bambuterol is a respiratory medication primarily used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
Bambuterol contains ‘Bambuterol’ and belongs to the class of bronchodilators. It is a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Bambuterol makes breathing easier by widening the airways. It helps to prevent asthma attacks in adults. . If you use Bambuterol for asthma, you must use it together with an inhaled steroid medicine for long-term asthma control.
Take Bambuterol as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Bambuterol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience restlessness, headache, palpitations, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), trembling (shaking as a result of anxiety), and muscle cramps. Most of these side effects of Bambuterol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Bambuterol should not be taken if you are allergic to Bambuterol or other ingredients. Bambuterol should not be taken in conditions like liver or kidney disease, heart disease, and diabetes. If pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before using Bambuterol. Bambuterol is not recommended for children. Bambuterol may not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you notice any side effects like dizziness, avoid driving and operating machinery until you feel better. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can worsen your side effects.
Uses of Bambuterol
Medicinal Benefits
Bambuterol is a bronchodilator used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma or exercise-induced bronchospasm and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Bambuterol relaxes your airways which helps reduce wheezing and chest tightness caused by asthma and other airways-related problems. It relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It makes breathing easier by widening the airways. If you use Bambuterol for asthma, you must use it with an inhaled steroid medicine for long-term asthma control.
Directions for Use
Storage
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Bambuterol should not be taken if you are allergic to Bambuterol or any other ingredients. Before taking Bambuterol inform your doctor if you have thyroid disease, a family history of glaucoma, (increased pressure in the eye). Bambuterol should not be taken in conditions like liver or kidney disease, heart disease, and diabetes. Bambuterol can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood), therefore should be used with caution in patients with hypokalaemia to prevent any cardiovascular effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before using Bambuterol. Bambuterol is not recommended for children. Bambuterol may not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you notice any side effects like dizziness, avoid driving and operating machinery until you feel better. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can worsen your side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Bambuterol may interact with antiallergic (prednisolone), medicines for breathing problems (theophylline, aminophylline), blood pressure-lowering medicines (propranolol), medicines for glaucoma (timolol), water pills (furosemide, amiloride, bumetanide), medicines for chest tightness (ipratropium).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Bambuterol as it may increase the risk of side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have diabetes, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), heart, liver, or kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Bambuterol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can worsen your side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionBambuterol is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known Bambuterol may pass into breast milk. Please consult your doctor before using Bambuterol if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionBambuterol may not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you notice any side effects like dizziness, avoid driving and operating machinery until you feel better.
Liver
cautionBambuterol should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Bambuterol.
Kidney
cautionBambuterol should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Bambuterol.
Children
unsafeBambuterol is not recommended for use in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
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Take Bambuterol as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over the counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Bambuterol.
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Know your triggers like allergens, such as pollen, dust, and food items that make your asthma severe.
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Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.
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Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
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Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
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Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while using Bambuterol since bronchodilators like bambuterol can cause low blood glucose levels.
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Consult your diabetologist if you have diabetes before using Bambuterol so that your insulin or other diabetic medication can be adjusted accordingly to maintain your blood sugar levels.
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It is advised to undergo a blood examination to check on your potassium levels since Bambuterol can cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. The asthma symptoms include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times a week and up to 4 nights in a month, whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Bambuterol contains 'Bambuterol', which can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence therapy with Bambuterol is cautiously administered in patients with diabetes. Please monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and inform your doctor so the dose can be adjusted accordingly.
No, you are not recommended to take atenolol with Bambuterol as it may reduce the efficacy of Bambuterol. Also, atenolol may trigger asthma attacks or worsen breathing problems by narrowing airways. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Bambuterol.
Bambuterol contains a bronchodilator, which may decrease the potassium levels in your body; therefore, it should be used with caution. Please consult your doctor before taking Bambuterol since low potassium levels can lead to other cardiovascular problems in patients with hypokalaemia.
Yes, Bambuterol is considered safe, but its use depends on the severity of your heart problem. However, it would be best to inform your doctor before taking Bambuterol. If you experience chest pain or any other symptom of worsening heart disease while taking Bambuterol, you should immediately talk to your doctor.
Yes, it may occur due to Bambuterol. Feeling shaky is a common side effect of Bambuterol, which goes away after a few times. For headaches, drink plenty of water, get enough rest and avoid alcohol. Generally, headaches go away after a week. If they continue for a long time, inform your doctor.
