how does this medication work? what will it do for me?
orciprenaline belongs to a class of medications known as bronchodilators. it is used to relieve symptoms associated with asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung conditions. it works by opening the airways, making breathing easier. the effects of this medication can usually be felt within 30 minutes of taking a dose and lasts for 3 to 6 hours.
this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
what form(s) does this medication come in?
orciprenaline is no longer being manufactured for sale in canada and is no longer available under any brand names. this article is being kept available for reference purposes only. if you are using this medication, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.
how should i use this medication?
the usual adult dose is 10 ml 3 or 4 times daily. children 4 to 12 years old should take 5 ml 3 times daily; children over 12 years should take 10 ml 3 times daily. your doctor may recommend different doses, depending on circumstances.
use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.
many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and keep it out of the reach of children.
do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
who should not take this medication?
do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to orciprenaline or any ingredients of this medication
- are taking beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol)
- have abnormal heart rhythms associated with a racing heartbeat
- have hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
what side effects are possible with this medication?
many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- dizziness
- fast or pounding heartbeat
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- nervousness
- sweating
- tremors
- vomiting
although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- convulsions (seizures)
- hives
- increase in blood pressure
- signs of low potassium levels in the blood (e.g., weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat)
stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- chest pain
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, sudden difficulty swallowing or breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.
asthma control: like other medications used for relief of asthma-related breathing problems, do not use orciprenaline on a daily basis without using appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy on a regular basis.
if you need to use this medication regularly or more frequently, or the usual dose is not effective to control breathing problems, this indicates that your asthma control is deteriorating. it is not enough simply to increase the use of rescue medications such as orciprenaline under these circumstances, especially over extended periods of time. contact your doctor to discuss a new treatment plan.
if orciprenaline does not produce a significant improvement or if your condition gets worse, seek medical advice to determine a new plan of treatment. in the case of sudden or rapidly worsening breathing trouble, consult a doctor immediately.
medical conditions: orciprenaline has been shown to have minimal effect on blood pressure and pulse. it should be used with care, however, if you also have:
- high blood pressure
- coronary artery disease
- recent heart attack
- acute and recurring congestive heart failure
- diabetes
- glaucoma
- overactive thyroid
pregnancy: this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
breast-feeding: it is not known if orciprenaline passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
what other drugs could interact with this medication?
there may be an interaction between orciprenaline and any of the following:
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if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/orciprenaline