Generic: ALBUTEROL SULFATE
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in adults and children 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
WARNINGS 1. Paradoxical Bronchospasm: Inhaled albuterol sulfate can produce paradoxical bronchospasm that may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted. It should be recognized that paradoxical bronchospasm, when associated with inhaled formulations, frequently occurs with the first use of a new canister. 2. Deterioration of Asthma: Asthma may deteriorate acutely over a period of hours or chronically over several days or longer. If the patient needs more doses of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol than usual, this may be a marker of destabilization of asthma and requires re-evaluation of the patient and treatment regimen, giving special consideration to the possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids. 3. Use of Anti-inflammatory Agents: The use of beta-adrenergic-agonist bronchodilators alone may not be adequate to control asthma in many patients. Early consideration should be given to adding anti-inflammatory agents, e.g., corticosteroids, to the therapeutic regimen. Cardiovascular Effects: Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, like other beta-adrenergic agonists, can produce clinically significant cardiovascular effects in some patients as measured by pulse rate, blood pressure, and/or symptoms. Although such effects are uncommon after administration of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol at recommended doses, if they occur, the drug may need to be discontinued. In addition, beta-agonists have been reported to produce ECG changes, such as flattening of the T wave, prolongation of the QTc interval, and ST segment depression. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. Therefore, Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, like all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. 4. Do Not Exceed Recommended Dose: Fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs in patients with asthma. The exact cause of death is unknown, but cardiac arrest following an unexpected development of a severe acute asthmatic crisis and subsequent hypoxia is suspected. 5. Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of albuterol sulfate, as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse reaction information concerning Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol is derived from a 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy study which compared Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, a CFC 11/12 propelled albuterol inhaler, and an HFA-134a placebo inhaler in 565 asthmatic patients. The following table lists the incidence of all adverse events (whether considered by the investigator drug related or unrelated to drug) from this study which occurred at a rate of 3% or greater in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol treatment group and more frequently in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol treatment group than in the placebo group. Overall, the incidence and nature of the adverse reactions reported for Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol and a CFC 11/12 propelled albuterol inhaler were comparable. Adverse Experience Incidences (% of patients) in a Large 12-week Clinical Trial* *This table includes all adverse events (whether considered by the investigator drug related or unrelated to drug) which occurred at an incidence rate of at least 3% in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol group and more frequently in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol group than in the HFA-134a placebo inhaler group. Body System/ Adverse Event (Preferred Term) Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol (N=193) CFC 11/12 Propelled Albuterol Inhaler (N=186) HFA-134a Placebo Inhaler (N=186) Application Site Disorders Inhalation Site Sensation 6 9 2 Inhalation Taste Sensation 4 3 3 Body as a Whole Allergic Reaction/Symptoms 6 4 <1 Back Pain 4 2 3 Fever 6 2 5 Central and Peripheral Nervous System Tremor 7 8 2 Gastrointestinal System Nausea 10 9 5 Vomiting 7 2 3 Heart Rate and Rhythm Disorder Tachycardia 7 2 <1 Psychiatric Disorders Nervousness 7 9 3 Respiratory System Disorders Respiratory Disorder (unspecified) 6 4 5 Rhinitis 16 22 14 Upper Resp Tract Infection 21 20 18 Urinary System Disorder Urinary Tract Infection 3 4 2 Adverse events reported by less than 3% of the patients receiving Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, and by a greater proportion of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol patients than placebo patients, which have the potential to be related to Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol include: dysphonia, increased sweating, dry mouth, chest pain, edema, rigors, ataxia, leg cramps, hyperkinesia, eructation, flatulence, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, anxiety, depression, somnolence, rash. Palpitation and dizziness have also been observed with Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol. Adverse events reported in a 4-week pediatric clinical trial comparing Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol and a CFC 11/12 propelled albuterol inhaler occurred at a low incidence rate and were similar to those seen in the adult trials. In small, cumulative dose studies, tremor, nervousness, and headache appeared to be dose related. Rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, and oropharyngeal edema have been reported after the use of inhaled albuterol. In addition, albuterol, like other sympathomimetic agents, can cause adverse reactions such as hypertension, angina, vertigo, central nervous system stimulation, insomnia, headache, metabolic acidosis, and drying or irritation of the oropharynx. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc., at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions about your medications. Data sourced from openFDA.