Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin (usually into the shoulder area).

This medicine may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in a hospital or clinic. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor will teach you or someone who cares for you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how the medicine is prepared and injected.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

If you are using this medicine for asthma, you should use another medicine that works faster for an asthma attack that has already started. If you do not have another medicine to use for an acute attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For prevention of bronchospasm:
      • Adults and teenagers—0.25 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 0.5 mg within 4 hours.
      • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store unopened vials of this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. An open vial of medicine must be used right away.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.