Volmax Tablets 4mg, 8mg

Volmax
Tablets

salbutamol

Your doctor has decided to prescribe Volmax Tablets as part of your treatment. Volmax Tablets are available in two different strengths. Your doctor will have decided which strength you need.

This leaflet tells you about Volmax Tablets and how to take them. Please read it carefully and keep it until you have finished the medicine.

What Are Volmax Tablets?

Volmax Tablets are white, six-sided controlled-release tablets marked '4' or '8' containing 4 mg or 8 mg of salbutamol (as salbutamol sulphate) respectively. The tablet core also contains sodium chloride, silica gel, povidone 30, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate. The tablet coat contains cellulose acetate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and E171 (titanium dioxide). The numbers '4' or '8' are printed with E132 (indigo carmine). There are 56 tablets in each pack.

Who Makes Your Medicine?

Volmax Tablets are manufactured by

Glaxo Wellcome GmbH & Co.

Bad Oldesloe

Germany

The product licence is held by

Allen & Hanburys

Stockley Park

Middlesex

UB11 1BT

How Your Medicine Works

Salbutamol is one of a group of medicines called bronchodilators or 'relievers'. Salbutamol relaxes the muscles in the walls of the small air passages in the lungs. This helps to open up the airways and so helps to relieve chest tightness, wheezing and cough so that you can breathe more easily.

Uses

Volmax Tablets are prescribed to ease breathing problems in asthma and other chest illnesses.

Volmax Tablets are specially made to release the medicine slowly so that you continue to get relief for many hours.

Make Sure This Medicine Is Suitable For You

TELL YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE:

• if you are pregnant (or intending to become pregnant);


• if you are breast-feeding a baby;


• if you have ever had to stop taking this or another medicine for this illness because you were allergic to it or it caused problems;


• if you are having treatment for an overactive thyroid;


• if you are having treatment for high blood pressure;


• if you have an irregular heartbeat/rhythm, including a very fast pulse;


• if you are taking any medicines to control an irregular heartbeat/rhythm, including a very fast pulse; or


• if you are diabetic.

Sometimes this medicine may not be suitable and your doctor may want to give you something different. Make sure that your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking (e.g. treatment to reduce fluid, any other kind of bronchodilator tablets, steroid tablets), including those you have bought from the chemist. Remember to take this medicine with you if you have to go into hospital.

Taking Your Tablets

• Make sure you know HOW, WHEN and HOW MANY tablets you should take. Your doctor should have told you and the instructions should be on the pharmacist's label. If they are not, or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Dose

• 
  The usual dose for adults and children over 12 is one 8 mg tablet when you get up in the morning (about 8am) and one in the evening (about 8pm). The usual dose for children aged 3-12 is one 4 mg tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
  

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you keep to your doctor's instructions as to how many tablets to take and how often to take them. DO NOT TAKE more than you were told to.

• Keep taking your tablets for as long as your doctor tells you. Do not stop just because you feel better.


• IMPORTANT - Swallow each tablet WHOLE with a glass of water while sitting or standing. DO NOT bite, crush or chew the tablet. If the tablets are for a CHILD make sure each tablet is taken as above. Volmax Tablets are specially made to release the medicine slowly so that you continue to get relief for many hours. The empty tablet passes through your body and may be seen in the lavatory when you pass a motion. DO NOT WORRY - THIS IS QUITE NORMAL.

If You Miss A Dose

• If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember, BUT if it is near the time for the next dose, wait until this is due. DO NOT TAKE A DOUBLE DOSE.

If You Take To Much

• It is important to keep to the dose on the pharmacist's label. Taking more than this could be dangerous, especially if you take a lot of tablets all at one time. If you take MORE TABLETS THAN RECOMMENDED call your doctor or your local hospital casualty department for advice. Take this leaflet or medicine with you so that the hospital knows what you have taken.

After Taking Your Medicine

• If the tablets do not seem to be working as well as usual TELL YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Your chest condition may be getting worse and you may need a different medicine. DO NOT TAKE EXTRA TABLETS unless your doctor tells you to.

Side Effects

Most people do not have any problems when taking this medicine.

• Some people may feel a bit shaky or have a headache.


• Some people who are unusually sensitive may notice that their heart is beating faster and/or more forcefully than usual. This awareness of their heart beating is called palpitations, is normally harmless, and usually passes off as treatment continues. Some might notice that their heartbeat becomes uneven or their heart gives an extra beat. Tell your doctor as soon as possible, but do not stop using this medicine unless told to do so.


• Muscle cramps have also been reported.


• Very rarely, Volmax Tablets may cause allergic reactions.


• Volmax Tablets may affect the salt balance of the body, although this is rare.


• Patients taking these tablets may become restless or excitable although this is very rare.

If you feel unwell or notice anything unusual or which you don't understand, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

Storing Your Medicine

• Keep your tablets in a safe place WHERE CHILDREN CANNOT REACH THEM.


• Store the tablets at room temperature below 30°C (86°F).


• Keep your tablets in the foil pack until you need to take them.


• Do not use after the date shown as 'EXP' on the carton and on the foil.


• If you are told to stop taking this medicine RETURN ANY UNUSED TABLETS TO YOUR PHARMACIST to be destroyed.

LEAFLET DATE APRIL 2006

Further Information

REMEMBER: This medicine is for YOU. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if their symptoms are similar.

This leaflet does not tell you everything about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or the pharmacist.

You will be able to find out more information about prescribed medicines from books in public libraries.

The information in this leaflet only applies to Volmax Tablets

Volmax is a trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies

^© 2006 GlaxoSmithKline group of companies

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