WHAT IS Albuterol cr/Albuterol (salbutamol) TABLETS?

ALBUTEROL/Albuterol cr is used for treating breathing problems in patients who have asthma or certain other airway diseases. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Albuterol/Albuterol cr is a sympathomimetic (beta agonist) bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airway, which allows air to flow in and out of the lungs more easily.

Sustained-release (SR), extended-release (ER, XR, or XL), time-release or timed-release, controlled-release (CR), or continuous-release (CR or Contin) pills are tablets or capsules formulated to dissolve slowly and release a drug over time. The advantages of sustained-release tablets or capsules are that they can often be taken less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep steadier levels of the drug in the bloodstream.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Albuterol cr/Albuterol (salbutamol)?

Store at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Albuterol/Albuterol cr out of the reach of children and away from pets.

HOW SHOULD I USE Albuterol cr/Albuterol (salbutamol)?

Use Albuterol/Albuterol cr as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Take Albuterol/Albuterol cr by mouth with or without food. Do not stop using Albuterol/Albuterol cr without checking with your doctor. Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Albuterol/Albuterol cr .

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose of, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Albuterol cr/Albuterol (salbutamol)?

Albuterol/Albuterol cr may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Albuterol/Albuterol cr with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

If your usual dose does not work well, your symptoms become worse, or you need to use it more often than normal, contact your doctor at once. This may be a sign of seriously worsening asthma. Your doctor may need to change your dose or medicine. Albuterol/Albuterol cr should work for up to 8 hours or longer. Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor. The risk of severe heart problems and sometimes death may be increased with overuse of Albuterol/Albuterol cr . When your medicine supply begins to run low, call your doctor or pharmacy as soon as possible for a refill.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Albuterol/Albuterol cr before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. Check with your doctor before using any other asthma medicines, including inhaled medicines, while you are using Albuterol/Albuterol cr .

Diabetes patients - Albuterol/Albuterol cr may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Use Albuterol/Albuterol cr with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Albuterol/Albuterol cr should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Albuterol/Albuterol cr while you are pregnant. It is not known if Albuterol/Albuterol cr is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Albuterol/Albuterol cr , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Albuterol cr/Albuterol (salbutamol)?

• beta-blockers
• Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, epinephrine, MAOIs, short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators, stimulants, sympathomimetics
• Digoxin/Digitek
• diuretics
• monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• tricyclic antidepressant

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Albuterol/Albuterol cr may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Albuterol cr/Albuterol (salbutamol)?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• wheezing
• chest pain, ear pain
• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
• unusual hoarseness
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• severe headache or dizziness
• new or worsened trouble breathing
• red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
• pounding in the chest

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• sinus inflammation
• nausea
• vomiting
• sore or dry throat
• headache
• dizziness
• tremor
• nervousness

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Albuterol cr/Albuterol (salbutamol)?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney problems or adrenal gland tumor
• heart problems, blood vessel problems, high blood pressure or low blood potassium levels
• seizure, diabetes or overactive throid
• breast-feeding
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• taking any prescription, nonprescription, herbal or dietary preparation
• unusual reaction to another sympathometic medicine

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.