Asmol uni-dose
contains the active ingredient salbutamol (sulfate)
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Asmol uni-dose.
It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using Asmol against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Asmol is used for
Asmol is used for the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other breathing problems.
In people who have difficulty breathing during exercise, Asmol may also be used before exercise to keep the air passages open.
Your doctor may have prescribed Asmol for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Asmol has been prescribed for you.
Asmol is often called a `reliever` medicine. It belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators or beta-2 agonists. Asmol is inhaled into the lungs and works rapidly to open up the air passages in your lungs.
There is no evidence that Asmol is addictive.
Before you use Asmol
Do not use Asmol if
Before you start to use Asmol, you must tell your doctor if
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Asmol when pregnant.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Asmol when breastfeeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start using Asmol.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Asmol. These include:
These medicines may be affected by Asmol or may affect how well Asmol works. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines. They also have a more complete list of medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Asmol.
How to use Asmol
Your doctor will tell you how much to use and when to use it.
Use Asmol exactly as directed by your doctor.
How much to use
The dose varies from patient to patient.
Adults: The usual dose is one 5 mg ampoule every four to six hours.
Elderly patients may need smaller doses.
Children: The usual dose is one 2.5 mg ampoule every four to six hours.
How to use Asmol
Instructions on how to use Asmol are included in the pack.
Read these instructions carefully before using Asmol.
Do not swallow or inject the liquid in Asmol.
Asmol is for inhalation only, using a nebuliser.
If you forget to use Asmol
If you are using this medicine regularly and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you miss more than one dose, or are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use too much Asmol (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have used too much Asmol. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you use too much Asmol, you may feel shaky, tremble or have a fast heart beat. These symptoms are usually mild side effects of using Asmol. However, if they are severe or do not go away, it may be that you have taken too much Asmol.
While you are using Asmol
Things you must do
IMPORTANT: If your breathing suddenly becomes more difficult just after using Asmol, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital.
If you have an Asthma Action Plan that you have agreed with your doctor, follow it closely at all times.
If Asmol does not help your breathing as much as usual, tell your doctor as soon as possible. If the effect of Asmol does not last as long as usual or lasts less than three hours, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
These may be signs that your condition is getting worse.
If you are about to start taking a new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are using Asmol.
If you become pregnant while using Asmol, tell your doctor.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using Asmol.
Visit your doctor regularly so that they can check on your condition.
Things you must not do
Do not stop using Asmol or lower the dose without checking with your doctor.
Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays.
Do not take any other medicines for your breathing problems without checking with your doctor.
Do not use Asmol to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Things to be careful of
If you are mixing Asmol with ipratropium bromide (another medicine for asthma) in your nebuliser, be careful not to let the mist get into your eyes. If the mist does get in your eyes and you get a headache with eye pain, red eyes or blurred vision, tell your doctor immediately.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Asmol.
Like all other medicines, Asmol may have unwanted side effects in some people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following and they worry you:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following happen:
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if any of the following happen:
Asmol may cause a fall in potassium levels in a few people. Your doctor may do tests to check this.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell while you are using, or soon after you have finished using Asmol, even if it is not on this list.
After using Asmol
Storage
Keep your medicine where children cannot reach it.
Keep Asmol in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C.
Keep the ampoules in the foil pack, with the foil lid closed, inside the box, until it is time to use them.
If you take the ampoules out of the foil pack and box, they may not keep well.
Once a foil pack has been opened, the ampoules must be used within 3 months. Discard any ampoules left after this time.
Do not keep Asmol or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave Asmol in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop using Asmol, or your medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any ampoules that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Asmol comes in two strengths:
Each pack of Asmol uni-dose contains 30 plastic ampoules. Each ampoule contains 2.5 mL of clear and colourless liquid.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Asmol uni-dose is salbutamol (as salbutamol sulfate)
Asmol uni-dose also contains:
Asmol uni-dose is preservative free.