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PRECAUTIONS: Before using metaproterenol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol, levalbuterol, salmeterol); or to sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., epinephrine, pseudoephedrine); or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, coronary insufficiency), seizures, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, low blood potassium level (hypokalemia).This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the effects on the heart.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: 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 them first.Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with this medication. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other asthma drugs (e.g., levalbuterol, salmeterol), some beta blockers (such as propranolol), inhaled anesthetics (e.g., halothane, isoflurane), other sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., ephedrine, epinephrine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), certain "water pills" (diuretics that cause potassium loss such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.