1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Albuterol Sulfate HFA is a beta 2 -adrenergic agonist indicated for: Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease. ( 1.1 ) Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older. ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Bronchospasm Albuterol Sulfate HFA Inhalation Aerosol is indicated for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease. 1.2 Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Albuterol Sulfate HFA is indicated for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older.
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For oral inhalation only. ( 2 ) Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older: 2 inhalations by oral inhalation every 4 to 6 hours. For some patients, 1 inhalation every 4 hours may be sufficient. ( 2.1 ) Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older: 2 inhalations by oral inhalation 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. ( 2.2 ) Priming information: Prime Albuterol Sulfate HFA before using for the first time, when the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks, or when the inhaler has been dropped. To prime Albuterol Sulfate HFA, release 4 sprays into the air away from the face, shaking well before each spray. ( 2.3 ) Cleaning information: At least once a week, wash the actuator with warm water and let it air-dry completely. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Bronchospasm (Acute Episodes or Symptoms Associated with Bronchospasm) Adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older: 2 inhalations by oral inhalation repeated every 4 to 6 hours; in some patients, 1 inhalation every 4 hours may be sufficient. More frequent administration or a greater number of inhalations is not recommended. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Prevention of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older: 2 inhalations by oral inhalation 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. 2.3 Administration Information Albuterol Sulfate HFA should be administered by the orally inhaled route only. Priming Priming Albuterol Sulfate HFA is essential to ensure appropriate albuterol content in each actuation. Prime Albuterol Sulfate HFA before using for the first time, when the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks, or when the inhaler has been dropped. To prime Albuterol Sulfate HFA, release 4 sprays into the air away from the face, shaking well before each spray. Avoid spraying in eyes. Cleaning To ensure proper dosing and to prevent actuator…
12.1 Mechanism of Action In vitro studies and in vivo pharmacologic studies have demonstrated that albuterol has a preferential effect on beta 2 -adrenergic receptors compared with isoproterenol. Although beta 2 -adrenoceptors are the predominant adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle and beta 1 -adrenoceptors are the predominant receptors in the heart, there are also beta 2 -adrenoceptors in the human heart comprising 10% to 50% of the total beta-adrenoceptors. The precise function of these receptors has not been established, but their presence raises the possibility that even selective beta 2 -agonists may have cardiac effects. Activation of beta 2 -adrenergic receptors on airway smooth muscle leads to the activation of adenyl cyclase and to an increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic-3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). This increase of cyclic AMP leads to the activation of protein kinase A, which inhibits the phosphorylation of myosin and lowers intracellular ionic calcium concentrations, resulting in relaxation. Albuterol relaxes the smooth muscles of all airways, from the trachea to the terminal bronchioles. Albuterol acts as a functional antagonist to relax the airway irrespective of the spasmogen involved, thus protecting against all bronchoconstrictor challenges. Increased cyclic AMP concentrations are also associated with the inhibition of release of mediators from mast cells in the airway. Albuterol has been shown in most controlled clinical trials to have more effect on the respiratory tract, in the form of bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, than isoproterenol at comparable doses while producing fewer cardiovascular effects. Controlled clinical studies and other clinical experience have shown that inhaled albuterol, like other beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, can produce a significant cardiovascular effect in some patients, as measured by pulse rate, blood pressure, symptoms, and/or electrocardiographic changes [see Warnings…
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Paradoxical bronchospasm [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Cardiovascular effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥3%) are throat irritation, viral respiratory infections, upper respiratory inflammation, cough, and musculoskeletal pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Prasco Laboratories at 1-866-525-0688 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety data described below reflects exposure to albuterol sulfate HFA in 248 subjects treated with albuterol sulfate HFA in 3 placebo-controlled clinical trials of 2 to 12 weeks’ duration. The data from adults and adolescents is based upon 2 clinical trials in which 202 subjects with asthma aged 12 years and older were treated with albuterol sulfate HFA 2 inhalations 4 times daily for 12 weeks’ duration. The adult/adolescent population was 92 female, 110 male and 163 white, 19 black, 18 Hispanic, 2 other. The data from pediatric subjects are based upon 1 clinical trial in which 46 subjects with asthma aged 4 to 11 years were treated with albuterol sulfate HFA 2 inhalations 4 times daily for 2 weeks’ duration. The population was 21 female, 25 male and 25 white, 17 black, 3 Hispanic, 1 other. Adult and Adolescent Subjects Aged 12 Years and Older The two 12-week, randomized, double-blind trials in 610 adult and adolescent subjects with asthma that compared albuterol sulfate HFA, a CFC…
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Albuterol Sulfate HFA is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ), Description ( 11 )] . Hypersensitivity to any ingredient. ( 4 )
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Life-threatening paradoxical bronchospasm may occur. Discontinue Albuterol Sulfate HFA immediately and institute alternative therapy. ( 5.1 ) Need for more doses of Albuterol Sulfate HFA than usual may be a sign of deterioration of asthma and requires reevaluation of treatment. ( 5.2 ) Albuterol Sulfate HFA is not a substitute for corticosteroids. ( 5.3 ) Cardiovascular effects may occur. Use with caution in patients sensitive to sympathomimetic drugs and patients with cardiovascular or convulsive disorders. ( 5.4 , 5.7 ) Excessive use may be fatal. Do not exceed recommended dose. ( 5.5 ) Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Discontinue Albuterol Sulfate HFA immediately. ( 5.6 ) Hypokalemia and changes in blood glucose may occur. ( 5.7 , 5.8 ) 5.1 Paradoxical Bronchospasm Albuterol Sulfate HFA can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs following dosing with Albuterol Sulfate HFA, it should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy should be instituted. It should be recognized that paradoxical bronchospasm, when associated with inhaled formulations, frequently occurs with the first use of a new canister. 5.2 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 HFA than usual, this may be a marker of destabilization of asthma and requires reevaluation of the patient and treatment regimen, giving special consideration to the possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids. 5.3 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. 5.4 Cardiovascular Effects Albuterol Sulfate HFA, like all other beta 2…
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Other short-acting sympathomimetic aerosol bronchodilators should not be used concomitantly with albuterol. If additional adrenergic drugs are to be administered by any route, they should be used with caution to avoid deleterious cardiovascular effects. Beta-blockers: Use with caution. May block bronchodilatory effects of beta-agonists and produce severe bronchospasm. ( 7.1 ) Diuretics: Use with caution. Electrocardiographic changes and/or hypokalemia associated with non–potassium-sparing diuretics may worsen with concomitant beta-agonists. ( 7.2 ) Digoxin: May decrease serum digoxin levels. Consider monitoring digoxin levels. ( 7.3 ) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: Use with extreme caution. May potentiate effect of albuterol on vascular system. ( 7.4 ) 7.1 Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blocking Agents Beta-blockers not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as albuterol sulfate HFA, but may also produce severe bronchospasm in patients with asthma. Therefore, patients with asthma should not normally be treated with beta-blockers. However, under certain circumstances, there may be no acceptable alternatives to the use of beta-adrenergic blocking agents for these patients; cardioselective beta-blockers could be considered, although they should be administered with caution. 7.2 Non–Potassium-Sparing Diuretics The ECG changes and/or hypokalemia that may result from the administration of non—potassium-sparing diuretics (such as loop or thiazide diuretics) can be acutely worsened by beta-agonists, especially when the recommended dose of the beta-agonist is exceeded. Although the clinical significance of these effects is not known, caution is advised in the coadministration of Albuterol Sulfate HFA with non–potassium-sparing diuretics. 7.3 Digoxin Mean decreases of 16% to 22% in serum digoxin levels were demonstrated after single-dose intravenous and oral administration of albuterol, respectively, to normal…
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