An Introduction to Alupent Dosage
The dose of
Alupent® (
metaproterenol sulfate) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The severity of your asthma or other respiratory problems
- Other medications you may be taking.
As always, do not adjust your Alupent dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
This article focuses on the
Alupent inhaler. Alupent also comes in tablets, syrup, and a solution that is inhaled using a machine called a nebulizer.
Alupent Dosing for Asthma
To treat or prevent an
asthma attack, the recommended Alupent dose is two or three sprays of Alupent as needed, as frequently as every three to four hours. However, you should not exceed 12 inhalations per day.
General Alupent Dosage Information
Following are some considerations for people taking Alupent:
- Alupent comes in a metered-dose inhaler (called an "MDI").
- Some people take Alupent only when they need it (during an asthma attack), while others take it regularly to help prevent attacks.
- You should "test spray" the Alupent inhaler before you use it for the very first time, or if you have not used it for a long period of time. To test spray the inhaler, spray it into the air by pressing on the top of the canister.
- Shake your Alupent asthma inhaler gently before each use.
- Wait at least one minute in between inhalations.
- It is important to learn exactly how to use your Alupent inhaler. It may be difficult at first and may require some practice.
- The spray should be inhaled into the lungs, not sprayed onto the back of the throat and swallowed. To accomplish this, you will need to breathe in while spraying the inhaler.
- Most people put the mouthpiece of the inhaler directly into their mouths. However, many healthcare professionals now recommend placing the inhaler an inch or two away from the mouth. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way for you to use the inhaler.
- Each inhaler contains 200 sprays (or 100 sprays for a "sample" inhaler). Try to keep track of approximately how many sprays you have used in order to know when to replace the inhaler. Do not place the inhaler in water to see if it is empty (although doing so was recommended in the past).
- Be sure that you always have an Alupent asthma inhaler on hand (and that your Alupent prescription has refills), as failing to treat an asthma attack can quickly turn into a medical emergency.
- If you are unsure about anything related to your dosage or Alupent dosing in general, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
