Metaproterenol

Metaproterenol is a prescription medication used for the treatment of asthma and reversible bronchospasm. 

• Metaproterenol  is available under the following different brand names: Alupent

Adult and pediatric dosage

Tablet

• 10mg
• 20mg

Syrup

• 10mg/5mL

Asthma, Reversible Bronchospasm

Adult dosage

• 20 mg orally three/four times daily

Asthma

Pediatric dosage

• Aged below 2 years old: 0.4 mg/kg orally every 8-12 hours  
• Aged 2-6 years old: 1-3.5 mg/kg/day divided every 6-8 hours orally; not to exceed 10 mg/dose
• Aged 6-9 years old: 10 mg orally three/four times daily
• Aged above 12 years old: 20 mg orally three times daily

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Metaproterenol include:

• nervousness,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• upset stomach,
• dry mouth,
• tiredness, and
• sleep problem (insomnia)

Serious side effects of Metaproterenol include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• chest pain,
• fast heart rate,
• pounding heartbeats,
• fluttering in your chest,
• lightheadedness,
• tremors, and
• worsening or no improvement in the symptoms.

Rare side effects of Metaproterenol include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Metaproterenol has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Metaproterenol has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • amitriptyline
  • amoxapine
  • clomipramine
  • desipramine
  • doxepin
  • imipramine
  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • lofepramine
  • maprotiline
  • nortriptyline
  • phenelzine
  • protriptyline
  • tranylcypromine
  • trazodone
  • trimipramine
• Metaproterenol has moderate interactions with at least 231 other drugs.
• Metaproterenol has minor interactions with at least 15 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Tachycardia secondary to a heart condition

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Metaproterenol?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Metaproterenol?”

Cautions

• Reports of some patients who developed cramps in muscles of extremities which responded to potassium salts orally
• Use caution in recent MI, myocardial insufficiency, HTN, hyperthyroidism, severe cardiovascular disorder, seizure disorders
• Increases risk of hypokalemia; use with caution
• Beta2-agonists may increase serum glucose; use caution
• Metered-dose inhalers that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are currently being phased out in the United States; alternate inhalers without CFCs are available

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Not known if excreted in breast milk, not recommended