DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets (al-BYOO-ter-ahl)
Brand Name: Proventil Repetabs

Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets is used for:

Treating or preventing symptoms of asthma, emphysema, and other reversible breathing problems. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets is a beta-adrenergic agonist bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle around the bronchioles, allowing air to flow in and out of the lungs more easily.

Do NOT use Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets
• you are taking a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets:

Some medical conditions may interact with Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have heart problems such as irregular rhythms, too little blood output, or heart disease; or high blood pressure
• if you have diabetes, an overactive thyroid, or pheochromocytoma

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) or beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because the effectiveness of Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets may be decreased
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors (eg, entacapone), cocaine, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because side effects may be increased by Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets 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.

How to use Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets:

Use Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Swallow Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• The outer coating of the tablet is not absorbed and may be noticeable in the stool.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, restart medication and advise your doctor or pharmacist at your next appointment.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets.

Important safety information:

• Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets. Using Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• If the asthma attack continues or worsens, contact your doctor.
• If the usual dose fails to provide relief or if you need to take it more often than normal, contact your doctor at once. This may be a sign of seriously worsening asthma, which may require changing your medication.
• Contact your health care provider about taking other asthma or inhaled medications while taking Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets.
• With some brands of Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets, you may notice a tablet in your stool. There is no cause for concern because your body has absorbed the medicine even if the tablet does not dissolve.
• LAB TESTS, including liver function, lung function, electrocardiogram (ECG), kidney function, and complete blood counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 6 years of age; safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets during pregnancy. It is unknown if Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while using Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets, contact your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; excitement; headache; hyperactivity; muscle cramps; nausea; nervousness; shakiness; sleeplessness; tremors.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast heartbeat; headache; increased difficulty breathing; itching; pounding in the chest; tremors; weakness; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; nervousness.

Proper storage of Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets:

Store at controlled room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat and light. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container. Keep Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.