ALBUTEROL SULFATE

The active component of albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol is albuterol sulfate, USP racemic α 1 [( tert- Butylamino)methyl]-4-hydroxy- m -xylene-α,α'-diol sulfate (2:1)(salt), a relatively selective beta 2 -adrenergic bronchodilator having the following chemical structure: Albuterol sulfate is the official generic name in the United States. The World Health Organization recommended name for the drug is salbutamol sulfate. The molecular weight of albuterol sulfate is 576.7, and the molecular formula is (C 13 H 21 NO 3 ) 2 •H 2 SO 4 . Albuterol sulfate is a white to off-white crystalline solid. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. Albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol is a pressurized metered-dose aerosol unit for oral inhalation. It contains a microcrystalline suspension of albuterol sulfate in propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), ethanol, and oleic acid. Each actuation delivers 120 mcg albuterol sulfate, USP from the valve and 108 mcg albuterol sulfate, USP from the mouthpiece (equivalent to 90 mcg of albuterol base from the mouthpiece). Each canister provides 200 inhalations. It is recommended to prime the inhaler before using for the first time and in cases where the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks by releasing four “test sprays” into the air, away from the face. This product does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the propellant. Chemical Structure

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.

For treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm or prevention of asthmatic symptoms, the usual dosage for adults and children 4 years of age and older is two inhalations repeated every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a larger number of inhalations is not recommended. In some patients, one inhalation every 4 hours may be sufficient. Each actuation of albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol delivers 108 mcg of albuterol sulfate (equivalent to 90 mcg of albuterol base) from the mouthpiece. It is recommended to prime the inhaler before using for the first time and in cases where the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks by releasing four “test sprays” into the air, away from the face. Albuterol sulfate Inhalation Aerosol contains 200 inhalations per canister. The canister has an attached dose indicator, which indicates how many inhalations remain. The dose indicator display will move after every tenth actuation. When nearing the end of the usable inhalations, the background behind the number in the dose indicator display window changes to red at 20 actuations or lower. Albuterol sulfate Inhalation Aerosol should be discarded when the dose indicator display window shows zero. Exercise Induced Bronchospasm Prevention The usual dosage for adults and children 4 years of age and older is two inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. To maintain proper use of this product, it is important that the mouthpiece be washed and dried thoroughly at least once a week. The inhaler may cease to deliver medication if not properly cleaned and dried thoroughly (see PRECAUTIONS, Information for Patients section). Keeping the plastic mouthpiece clean is very important to prevent medication buildup and blockage. The inhaler may cease to deliver medication if not properly cleaned and air dried thoroughly. If the mouthpiece becomes blocked, washing the mouthpiece will remove the blockage. If a previously effective dose regimen fails to provide the usual response, this may be a marker of destabilization of asthma and requires reevaluation of the patient and the treatment regimen, giving special consideration to the possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids.

Albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to albuterol or any other albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol component.

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* Body System/ Adverse Event (Preferred Term) Albuterol SulfateInhalation Aerosol (N=193) CFC 11/12 Propelled Albuterol Inhaler (N=186) HFA-134a Placebo Inhaler (N=186) *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 3.0% 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. 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.