Salbutamol Tablets Bp 2mg
Package leaflet: Information for the user Salbutamol 2 and 4 mg Tablets Salbutamol (as sulphate)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Salbutamol tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Salbutamol tablets
3. How to take Salbutamol tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Salbutamol tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Salbutamol tablets are and what they are used for
The name of your medicine is Salbutamol 2 and 4 mg Tablets.
Salbutamol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-adrenoceptor stimulants which are used as bronchodilators.
Salbutamol tablets are used to treat
• bronchial asthma
• bronchitis
• emphysema
• other bronchial disorders
2. What you need to know before you take Salbutamol tablets Do not take salbutamol tablets:
• if you are allergic to salbutamol sulphate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start to take this medicine:
• if you have problems with your thyroid gland
• if you suffer with hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen in the tissues)
• if you are diabetic
• if you have a history of heart disease, irregular or fast heartbeat or angina
Other medicines and Salbutamol tablets
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Do not take Salbutamol tablets if you are taking the following:
• Propranolol or any other non selective beta blocking drug
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
• diuretics (water tablets usually used to treat high blood pressure)
• aminophylline or theophylline (drugs used to improve breathing for people with asthma) or any medication containing caffeine
• digoxin or digitoxin.
• steroids such as prednisolone
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine.
Salbutamol tablets contain lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Salbutamol tablets
Always take salbutamol tablets exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The tablets should be swallowed with a drink of water. Use in children and adolescents
The recommended dose is:
Adults:
The minimum starting dose is 2 mg three times daily. The usual effective dose is 4 mg three or four times daily but this will be adjusted according to your needs.
The maximum single dose is 8 mg.
Children
The usual starting doses are:
2 - 6 years: 1 mg three times daily. This may be increased to 2 mg three times daily
if necessary.
6 - 12 years: 2 mg three times daily.
Over 12 years:
2 mg three times daily. This may be increased to 4 mg three or four times daily if necessary.
The elderly and those patients particularly sensitive to salbutamol: The usual starting dose is 2 mg three or four times daily.
What to do if you think your medicine is not working
The effect of each dose of Salbutamol should last for 4 - 6 hours. You should contact your doctor if the dose seems less effective or is short lasting. You should not change the dose you take, or how often you take your medicine without seeking medical advice.
If you take more Salbutamol tablets than you should
If you (or someone else) swallows a lot of the tablets all together, or if you think a child has accidentally swallowed any of the tablets, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or your doctor immediately.
If you forget to take Salbutamol tablets
If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time to take the next one. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Salbutamol tablets
Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first even if you feel better.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If after taking your tablets, you immediately have difficulty in breathing, swelling of the lips, face and neck contact your doctor urgently.
If the following happens, stop taking the tablets and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:
• low potassium levels e.g. muscle twitching or weakness, an irregular heart beat
• a feeling of tension
• slight shaking, particularly of the hands
Other rare side-effects may include headache, muscle cramps, skin reactions e.g. nettle rash, uneven heart beat and hyperactivity in children.
Although it is not known exactly how often this happens, some people may occasionally experience chest pain (due to heart problems such as angina). Tell your doctor/midwife if you develop these symptoms whilst receiving treatment with Salbutamol tablets, but do not stop using this medicine unless told to do so
Very rarely, patients may experience wheezing, low blood pressure and collapse.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Salbutamol tablets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Keep container in outer carton to protect from light.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date that is stated on the outer packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information What Salbutamol tablets contains:
The active ingredient salbutamol sulphate. Salbutamol tablets contain 2.41 mg or 4.82 mg of salbutamol sulphate equivalent to 2 mg and 4 mg of salbutamol respectively.
The other ingredients are lactose, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate and dispersed pink (containing E127 and E131).
What Salbutamol tablets looks like and contents of the pack
The product is available in pack sizes 1 of 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 84, 90, 100, 110, 112, 120, 150, 160, 168 and 500 tablets.
See outer packaging or the pharmacy label for contents i.e. the number of tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The Marketing Authorisation holder and company responsible for manufacture is TEVA UK Ltd, Eastbourne BN22 9AG, United Kingdom.
This leaflet was last Revised in: November 2015
PL 00289/0064 PL 00289/0065