Asmalin (Salbutamol)

Therapeutic Group : Inhaler

Asmalin HFA Inhaler: Each puff delivers Salbutamol Sulphate BP equivalent to Salbutamol 100 µg.

Indications:

Bronchospasm: Asmalin HFA Inhaler is indicated for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in bronchial asthma and for the treatment of reversible airways obstruction associated with bronchitis and emphysema.

Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm : Asmalin HFA Inhaler may be used to relieve attacks of acute dyspnoea and may also be taken prophylactically before exertion or to prevent exercise-induced asthma.

Dosage & Administration:

Administer Asmalin HFA Inhaler by oral inhalation only. Shake Asmalin HFA Inhaler well before each spray.
For relief of acute episodes of bronchospasm:
Adults: 1 or 2 puffs as necessary. The maximum dose is up to 8 puffs in 24 hours.
Children: Half the adult dose.
To prevent allergen- or exercise-induced bronchospasm:
Adults: 2 puffs 15 minutes prior to exercise or exposure to allergen.
The maximum dose is 2 puffs, up to 4 times a day.
Children: Half the adult dose.
Chronic therapy:
Adults: Up to 200 µg (2 puffs) four times daily
Children: Up to 200 µg (2 puffs) four times daily

Contrainidications:

Asmalin HFA inhaler is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to salbutamol or any other components of Asmalin HFA inhaler.

Warning & Precautions:

Paradoxical Bronchospasm: Inhaled salbutamol sulfate can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, Asmalin HFA inhaler 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.
Cardiovascular Effects: Asmalin HFA inhaler, like all other beta2-adrenergic agonists, can produce clinically significant cardiovascular effects in some patients such as changes in pulse rate or blood pressure. If such effects occur, Asmalin HFA inhaler may need to be discontinued. In addition, beta-agonists have been reported to produce electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, such as flattening of the T wave, prolongation of the QTc interval, and ST segment depression. The clinical relevance of these findings is unknown. Therefore, Asmalin HFA inhaler, like all other sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with underlying cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension.
Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of salbutamol sulfate inhalation aerosol, as demonstrated by cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema. Discontinue Asmalin HFA inhaler if immediate hypersensitivity reactions occur.
Coexisting Conditions: Asmalin HFA inhaler, like other sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. Large doses of intravenous salbutamol have been reported to aggravate preexisting diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis.

Side effects:

Salbutamol is generally well tolerated. Few side effects have been observed during inhalation. There are tremor, anxiety, muscle cramps, headache, palpitation, a compensatory small increase in heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and extrasystoles), tachycardia may occur in some patients. Mouth and throat irritation may occur with inhaled salbutamol.

Drug interaction:

Salbutamol and non-selective beta-blocking drugs such as propranolol should generally not be prescribed together. Potentially serious hypokalaemia may result from beta2-agonist therapy. Particular caution is advised in acute severe asthma as this effect may be potentiated by concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, steroids, diuretics, and by hypoxia. It is recommended that serum potassium levels are monitored in such situations.

Use in special groups:

Use in pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Asmalin HFA inhaler or salbutamol sulfate in pregnant women. Asmalin HFA inhaler should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Use in lactation: It is not known whether the components of Asmalin HFA inhaler are excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when Asmalin HFA inhaler is administered to a nursing woman.

Packing:

Asmalin HFA inhaler: Each canister contains 200 puffs.