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Precautions and Warnings With Metaproterenol
Some precautions and warnings with metaproterenol to be aware of include the safety of taking the medication while pregnant or nursing, and the possibility that the drug may have a stimulatory effect on the heart and blood pressure in some people. A few of the conditions to let your healthcare provider know about before taking metaproterenol include high blood pressure, an irregular heart rhythm, and diabetes.
from eMedTV.comMetaproterenol: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Metaproterenol is no longer available in the United States. The manufacturer of this medication decided to stop making it in order to comply with regulations concerning chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals that may deplete the ozone layer. The product was rarely used anymore; had it been more popular, the manufacturer probably would have chosen to reformulate it without CFCs, instead of just discontinuing it.
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking metaproterenol sulfate (Alupent®) if you have:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- A fast heart rate (tachycardia)
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Other types of heart disease, including congestive heart failure
- An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD