Albuterol Sulfate HFA (Page 2 of 5)

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

In addition to adverse reactions reported from clinical trials, the following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of albuterol sulfate. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. These events have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, or causal connection to albuterol or a combination of these factors.

Cases of paradoxical bronchospasm, hoarseness, arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia), and hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria, angioedema, rash) have been reported after the use of albuterol sulfate HFA.

In addition, albuterol, like other sympathomimetic agents, can cause adverse reactions such as hypokalemia, hypertension, peripheral vasodilatation, angina, tremor, central nervous system stimulation, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, headache, muscle cramps, drying or irritation of the oropharynx, and metabolic acidosis.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

Other short-acting sympathomimetic aerosol bronchodilators should not be used concomitantly with albuterol. If additional adrenergic drugs are to be administered by any route, they should be used with caution to avoid deleterious cardiovascular effects.

7.1 Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blocking Agents

Beta-blockers not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as albuterol sulfate HFA, but may also produce severe bronchospasm in patients with asthma. Therefore, patients with asthma should not normally be treated with beta-blockers. However, under certain circumstances, there may be no acceptable alternatives to the use of beta-adrenergic blocking agents for these patients; cardioselective beta-blockers could be considered, although they should be administered with caution.

7.2 Non–Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

The ECG changes and/or hypokalemia that may result from the administration of non—potassium-sparing diuretics (such as loop or thiazide diuretics) can be acutely worsened by beta-agonists, especially when the recommended dose of the beta-agonist is exceeded. Although the clinical significance of these effects is not known, caution is advised in the coadministration of Albuterol Sulfate HFA with non–potassium-sparing diuretics.

7.3 Digoxin

Mean decreases of 16% to 22% in serum digoxin levels were demonstrated after single-dose intravenous and oral administration of albuterol, respectively, to normal volunteers who had received digoxin for 10 days. The clinical relevance of these findings for patients with obstructive airway disease who are receiving inhaled albuterol and digoxin on a chronic basis is unclear. Nevertheless, it would be prudent to carefully evaluate the serum digoxin levels in patients who are currently receiving digoxin and albuterol.

7.4 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants

Albuterol Sulfate HFA should be administered with extreme caution to patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of such agents, because the action of albuterol on the vascular system may be potentiated.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Exposure Registry

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to asthma medications during pregnancy. For more information, contact the MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies conducted by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists at 1‑877-311-8972 or visit https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/asthma/.

Risk Summary

There are no randomized clinical studies of use of albuterol sulfate during pregnancy. Available data from epidemiological studies and postmarketing case reports of pregnancy outcomes following inhaled albuterol use do not consistently demonstrate a risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. There are, however, clinical considerations in pregnant women with asthma. (See Clinical Considerations.)

Administration of albuterol sulfate HFA to mice and rabbits during the period of organogenesis revealed evidence of adverse developmental outcomes (cleft palate in mice, delayed ossification in rabbits) at less than the maximum recommended human daily inhaled dose (MRHDID). (See Data.)

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryofetal Risk: In women with poorly or moderately controlled asthma, there is an increased risk of several perinatal adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia in the mother and prematurity, low birth weight, and small for gestational age in the neonate. Pregnant women with asthma should be closely monitored and medication adjusted as necessary to maintain optimal asthma control.

Labor or Delivery: Because of the potential for beta-agonist interference with uterine contractility, use of Albuterol Sulfate HFA during labor should be restricted to those patients in whom the benefits clearly outweigh the risk. Albuterol sulfate HFA has not been approved for the management of pre-term labor. Serious adverse reactions, including pulmonary edema, have been reported during or following treatment of premature labor with beta2 -agonists, including albuterol.

Data

Human Data: While available studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, published data from epidemiological studies and case reports have not consistently demonstrated an association with use of albuterol sulfate HFA during pregnancy and major birth defects, specific birth defects, or miscarriage. The available studies have methodologic limitations, including inconsistent comparator groups, definitions of outcomes, and assessment of disease impact.

Animal Data: In a study in pregnant mice, subcutaneously administered albuterol sulfate produced cleft palate formation in 5 of 111 (4.5%) fetuses at an exposure less than the MRHDID for adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 0.25 mg/kg) and in 10 of 108 (9.3%) fetuses at approximately 9 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 2.5 mg/kg). Cleft palate also occurred in 22 of 72 (30.5%) fetuses from females treated subcutaneously with isoproterenol, another beta2 -agonist.

In a study in pregnant rabbits, orally administered albuterol sulfate produced cranioschisis in 7 of 19 fetuses (37%) at approximately 750 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 50 mg/kg).

In a study in pregnant rabbits, an albuterol/HFA-134a formulation administered by inhalation produced enlargement of the frontal portion of the fetal fontanelles at approximately one third of the MRHDID on a mg/m2 basis.

A study in which pregnant rats were dosed with radiolabeled albuterol sulfate demonstrated that drug-related material is transferred from the maternal circulation to the fetus.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no available data on the presence of albuterol or the components of Albuterol Sulfate HFA in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. However, plasma levels of albuterol after inhaled therapeutic doses are low in humans, and if present in breast milk, are likely to be correspondingly low [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Albuterol Sulfate HFA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Albuterol Sulfate HFA or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of albuterol sulfate HFA for treatment or prevention of bronchospasm and for prevention of exercised-induced bronchospasm in pediatric patients aged 4 years and older have been established. Use of albuterol sulfate HFA for this indication is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of two 12-week clinical trials in subjects aged 12 years and older with asthma and one 2-week clinical trial in subjects aged 4 to 11 years with asthma [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Studies (14.1)].

The safety and effectiveness of albuterol sulfate HFA in pediatric patients younger than 4 years have not been established. Three trials have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of albuterol sulfate HFA in subjects younger than 4 years and the findings are described below.

Two 4-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were conducted in 163 pediatric subjects aged from birth to 48 months with symptoms of bronchospasm associated with obstructive airway disease (presenting symptoms included: wheeze, cough, dyspnea, or chest tightness). Albuterol sulfate HFA or placebo HFA was delivered with either an AeroChamber Plus Valved Holding Chamber or an Optichamber Valved Holding Chamber with mask 3 times daily. In one trial, albuterol sulfate HFA 90 mcg (n = 26), albuterol sulfate HFA 180 mcg (n = 25), and placebo HFA (n = 26) were administered to children aged between 24 and 48 months. In the second trial, albuterol sulfate HFA 90 mcg (n = 29), albuterol sulfate HFA 180 mcg (n = 29), and placebo HFA (n = 28) were administered to children aged between birth and 24 months. Over the 4-week treatment period, there were no treatment differences in asthma symptom scores between the groups receiving albuterol sulfate HFA 90 mcg, albuterol sulfate HFA 180 mcg, and placebo in either trial.

In a third trial, albuterol sulfate HFA was evaluated in 87 pediatric subjects younger than 24 months for the treatment of acute wheezing. Albuterol sulfate HFA was delivered with an AeroChamber Plus Valved Holding Chamber in this trial. There were no significant differences in asthma symptom scores and mean change from baseline in an asthma symptom score between albuterol sulfate HFA 180 mcg and albuterol sulfate HFA 360 mcg.

In vitro dose characterization studies were performed to evaluate the delivery of albuterol sulfate HFA via holding chambers with attached masks. The studies were conducted with 2 different holding chambers with masks (small and medium size). The in vitro study data when simulating patient breathing suggest that the dose of albuterol sulfate HFA presented for inhalation via a valved holding chamber with mask will be comparable to the dose delivered in adults without a spacer and mask per kilogram of body weight (Table 2). However, clinical trials in children younger than 4 years described above suggest that either the optimal dose of albuterol sulfate HFA has not been defined in this age group or albuterol sulfate HFA is not effective in this age group. The safety and effectiveness of albuterol sulfate HFA administered with or without a spacer device in children younger than 4 years have not been demonstrated.

Table 2. In Vitro Medication Delivery through AeroChamber Plus Valved Holding Chamber with a Mask
a Centers for Disease Control growth charts, developed by the National Center for Health Statistics in collaboration with the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2000). Ranges correspond to the average of the 50th percentile weight for boys and girls at the ages indicated.
b A single inhalation of albuterol sulfate HFA in a 70-kg adult without use of a valved holding chamber and mask delivers approximately 90 mcg, or 1.3 mcg/kg.

Age

Mask

Flow Rate (L/min)

Holding Time (seconds)

Mean Medication Delivery through AeroChamber Plus (mcg/actuation)

Body Weight 50th Percentile (kg)a

Medication Delivered per Actuation (mcg/kg)b

6 to 12 Months

Small

4.9

0

2

5

10

18.2

19.8

13.8

15.4

7.5-9.9

1.8-2.4

2.0-2.6

1.4-1.8

1.6-2.1

2 to 5 Years

Small

8.0

0

2

5

10

17.8

16.0

16.3

18.3

12.3-18.0

1.0-1.4

0.9-1.3

0.9-1.3

1.0-1.5

2 to 5 Years

Medium

8.0

0

2

5

10

21.1

15.3

18.3

18.2

12.3-18.0

1.2-1.7

0.8-1.2

1.0-1.5

1.0-1.5

>5 Years

Medium

12.0

0

2

5

10

26.8

20.9

19.6

20.3

18.0

1.5

1.2

1.1

1.1

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