Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using ZEMPREON INHALER?
ZEMPREON INHALER contains the active ingredient salbutamol sulfate. ZEMPREON INHALER,
which you may know better as a 'puffer', helps you to breathe more easily.
For more information, see Section
1. Why am I using ZEMPREON INHALER? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use ZEMPREON INHALER?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to salbutamol sulfate or any
of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use ZEMPREON INHALER? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use ZEMPREON INHALER?
For adults, the usual dose is one or two puffs, as required, repeated four hourly.
For children, the usual dose is one puff, repeated four hourly. The dose may be increased
to two puffs, repeated four hourly, if required.
5. What should I know while using ZEMPREON INHALER?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using ZEMPREON INHALER.
Contact your doctor if you become concerned about any side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately, if you become or intend to become pregnant while using
ZEMPREON INHALER and stop using it immediately.
Your doctor may tell you to take extra puffs of ZEMPREON INHALER if your wheezing
or breathing suddenly gets worse. If you take extra puffs and do not get relief, tell
your doctor immediately.
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Things you should not do
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Do not take any other medicines to help you breathe without checking with your doctor.
You should not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar
to yours
Do not use ZEMPREON INHALER if the counter shows 000 or if the expiry date has passed.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store ZEMPREON INHALER below 30°C.
Clean ZEMPREON INHALER at least once a week.
Do not put the metal canister in water.
Do not put it in the refrigerator.
Do not expose to temperatures higher than 50°C.
Do not burn it or puncture it, even when it is empty.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Less serious side effects include headache, tremor, feelings of anxiety, restlessness,
or excitability, ‘warm’ feeling or flushing, restlessness in children, mouth or throat
irritation, muscle cramps and nausea. Serious side effects include allergic reactions,
irregular or fast heartbeat, immediate breathing difficulties and wheezing, changes
in blood potassium levels and lactic acidosis.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
salbutamol sulfate
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using ZEMPREON INHALER. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using ZEMPREON INHALER.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using ZEMPREON INHALER?
ZEMPREON INHALER contains the active ingredient salbutamol sulfate. Salbutamol sulfate belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators . Because
your ZEMPREON INHALER gives fast relief from your chest symptoms, it is often called
a 'reliever'.
ZEMPREON INHALER is used for the relief of bronchospasm in patients with asthma or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and for relief against exercise-induced
asthma and other stimuli known to induce bronchospasm.
Bronchodilators relax the muscles of the small air passages in the lungs within a
few minutes. This helps to open the airways and makes it easier for air to get in
and out of the lungs. When it is used regularly, it helps the small air passages to
remain open.
There are other types of medicines that prevent wheezing or chest tightness. These
medicines are called 'preventers' and must be used every day. Your doctor may tell
you to use a 'preventer' in addition to ZEMPREON INHALER.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why you are using this medicine.
2. What should I know before I use ZEMPREON INHALER?
Warnings
When the dose counter reading approaches zero, contact your doctor or pharmacist to
get a new inhaler.
Any puffs left in the device after the dose counter reads zero (000) are not enough
to give you the right dose of salbutamol, so you cannot be sure you will receive any
medicine after using 200 puffs.
Consider keeping a back-up inhaler.
Do not use ZEMPREON INHALER if:
you have an allergy to salbutamol sulfate, or any of the ingredients listed at the
end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed or if the packaging is torn or
shows signs of tampering.
Do not use ZEMPREON INHALER to stop a miscarriage or premature labour.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you:
have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other condition
have had to stop taking this or any other asthma medicine
are allergic to any medicine
have been diagnosed with, or are being treated for:
a thyroid problem
high blood pressure
a heart problem
a liver problem
a kidney problem
diabetes or high blood sugar
are breastfeeding, pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or if you
are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
ZEMPREON INHALER is not usually recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor
will weigh up the benefits to you against the potential risks to your baby when considering
the use of ZEMPREON INHALER during your pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
It is not known whether the ingredients of ZEMPREON INHALER can pass into breast milk.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with ZEMPREON INHALER and affect how it works
or make it more likely that you will have side effects.
These medicines include:
xanthine derivatives (such as theophylline) or steroids to treat asthma.
diuretics (also called water tablets), sometimes used to treat high blood pressure
or a heart condition.
beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect ZEMPREON INHALER.
4. How do I use ZEMPREON INHALER?
How much to use
Always use ZEMPREON INHALER exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you to.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
ZEMPREON INHALER should be used as required rather than regularly.
If you are using ZEMPREON INHALER more than twice a week to treat your asthma symptoms,
not including preventive use before exercise or other triggers, this indicates poorly
controlled asthma and may increase the risk of severe asthma attacks (worsening of
asthma). You should contact your doctor as soon as possible to review your asthma
treatment.
If you use your asthma anti-inflammatory medicine daily, e.g., "inhaled corticosteroid",
it is important to continue using it regularly, even if you feel better.
Adults
To relieve asthma symptoms/attack, the usual dose for adults is one or two inhalations
repeated four hourly.
To prevent asthma symptoms/attack, the usual dose for adults is two puffs 10 to 15
minutes before exercise or exposure to a "trigger".
Your doctor may tell you to take extra puffs of ZEMPREON INHALER if your chest condition
suddenly gets worse. If you take extra puffs and do not get relief, tell your doctor
immediately.
Initial doses in the elderly may be lower than the recommended adult dose.
Children
To relieve asthma symptoms/attack, the usual dose for children is one inhalation,
as required, repeated four hourly, or as directed by their doctor of pharmacist. The
dose may be increased to two inhalations if required.
To prevent asthma symptoms/attack, the usual dose for children is one inhalation 10
to 15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a "trigger". The dose may be increased
to two inhalations if required.
How to use ZEMPREON INHALER
If ZEMPREON INHALER is new and you have not used it before, release four puffs into
the air until the counter reads 200 to make sure that it works.
If you have not used it for 5 days or more, or, if you drop the inhaler, you should
shake it well, point the mouthpiece away from you and release two puffs into the air
before use to make sure that it works.
Each time the inhaler is activated, the number on the counter will count down by one.
In some cases, dropping the inhaler may cause the counter to count down.
When the dose counter reads 000, contact your doctor or pharmacist to get a new inhaler.
Any puffs left in the device after the dose counter reads zero (000) are not enough
to give you the right dose of the medicine.
Using your inhaler
Follow the instructions on how to use ZEMPREON INHALER in the leaflet provided in
the carton.
1. Remove the mouthpiece cover by gently squeezing the sides of the cover.
2. Check inside and outside of the inhaler including the mouthpiece for the presence
of loose objects.
3. Shake the inhaler well to ensure that any loose objects are removed and that the contents
of the inhaler are evenly mixed.
4. Hold the inhaler upright between fingers and thumb with your thumb on the base, below
the mouthpiece.
5. Breathe out as far as is comfortable and then place the mouthpiece in your mouth between
your teeth and close your lips around it but do not bite it.
6. Just after starting to breathe in through your mouth, press down on top of the inhaler
to release salbutamol while still breathing in steadily and deeply.
7. While holding your breath, take the inhaler from your mouth and take your finger from
the top of the inhaler. Continue holding your breath for as long as is comfortable.
8. If you are to take further puffs, keep the inhaler upright and wait about half a minute
before repeating steps 3 to 7.
9. Replace the mouthpiece cover by firmly pushing and snapping the cap into position.
How to clean your ZEMPREON INHALER
ZEMPREON INHALER should be cleaned at least once a week. You may not see any medicine
build-up on the inhaler, but it is important to keep it clean so medicine build-up
will not block the spray.
1. Remove the metal canister and dose counter from the plastic casing (actuator) of the
inhaler and remove the mouthpiece cover.
2. Rinse the actuator thoroughly under warm running water.
3. Turn the actuator upside down and rinse again through the mouthpiece thoroughly under
warm running water.
4. Shake off as much water from the actuator as you can. Look into the mouthpiece to
make sure any medicine build-up has been completely washed away. If there is any build-up,
repeat Step 2 and Step 3.
5. Dry the actuator thoroughly inside and out (such as overnight).
6. Replace the metal canister and the mouthpiece cover.
DO NOT put the metal canister in water.
If you forget to use ZEMPREON INHALER
ZEMPREON INHALER should be used as required. If you forget to take a dose, do not
worry. Just take the next dose at the normal time or earlier if you become wheezy
or feel tight in the chest.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the
chance of you getting unwanted side effects.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If you use too much ZEMPREON INHALER
If you think that you of anyone else has used too much of ZEMPREON INHALER, urgent
medical attention may be needed.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may notice that your heart is beating faster than usual, you feel shaky or have
a headache.
5. What should I know while using ZEMPREON INHALER?
Things you should do
Remind any doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or healthcare professional you visit that
you are using ZEMPREON INHALER, especially if you are about to be started on any new
medicine.
Keep all your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Visit your doctor or pharmacist regularly to check that you are using ZEMPREON INHALER
in the right way. If you are not breathing the medicine in correctly, the medicine
may not be helping you as much as it could.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you find it difficult to breathe in and press
ZEMPREON INHALER at the same time. It may be better for you to use something called
a spacer device with ZEMPREON INHALER. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain what
this is and how to use it.
If you change the make of spacer you use this may alter the amount of drug delivered
to the lungs. You should let your doctor know if your asthma symptoms worsen.
If your asthma worsens (for example you have frequent symptoms or flare ups such as
breathlessness, cough, wheezing, tight chest, nighttime awakening or limited physical
ability), you should tell your doctor who may start or increase a medicine to control
your asthma such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
become pregnant while using this medicine.
feel that your breathing suddenly becomes more difficult just after you have used
your ZEMPREON INHALER
feel that ZEMPREON INHALER does not help your breathing as much as usual
feel that the effect of ZEMPREON INHALER does not last as long as usual or lasts less
than 3 hours
need more puffs of your ZEMPREON INHALER to get relief.
Action Plan
If you feel that ZEMPRON INHALER is not having the same effect as before, this may
be a sign that your chest condition is getting worse. Your doctor may decide to add
another medicine to your treatment.
Things you should not do
Your ZEMPREON INHALER is only for you. You should not give this medicine to anyone
else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use your ZEMPREON INHALER if the counter shows 000 or if the expiry has passed.
When the counter shows 000 you must dispose of your ZEMPREON INHALER.
Never try to alter the numbers on the counter or detach the counter from the metal
canister. The counter cannot be reset and is permanently attached to the canister.
Do not use ZEMPREON INHALER to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells
you to.
Driving or using machines
ZEMPREON INHALER is not expected to have any effect on your ability to drive or use
machines.
Looking after your medicine
Straight after use, replace the mouthpiece cover firmly and click it into position.
Keep ZEMPREON inhaler in a place where temperature stays below 30˚C.
Keep ZEMPREON INHALER away from frost.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight; for example, do not
store:
in the bathroom or near a sink
in the car or on windowsills
in the refrigerator.
If your ZEMPREON INHALER becomes very cold, it may not work properly. To warm it,
pull out the metal canister from its plastic holder and warm it in your hand for a
few minutes. Do not warm the canister in any other way. Push the canister firmly back
into its holder before using.
Keep your ZEMPREON INHALER in a place where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
WARNING: The metal canister is pressurised. Do not expose to temperatures higher than
50°C. Do not burn it or puncture it, even when it is empty.
When to discard your medicine
You will find an expiry (or use by) date on the label of the metal canister. Do not
use your ZEMPREON INHALER after this date.
You can recycle the plastic casing and cap of your ZEMPREON INHALER with other plastic
items. The plastic casing (actuator) is manufactured from polypropylene.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any
of them.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
What ZEMPREON INHALER contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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salbutamol sulfate
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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HFA-134a, a propellant
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Potential allergens
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ZEMPREON INHALER contains no other additives
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
Each puff contains 100 micrograms of salbutamol (as sulfate). There are 200 puffs
in each ZEMPREON puffer.
What ZEMPREON INHALER looks like
ZEMPREON INHALER (AUST R 335999) consists of a plastic casing which contains a small
metal canister. The casing has a mouthpiece which is covered by a cap.
The canister has a counter attached to show how many puffs of medicine you have left.
The number of puffs left will show through a window in the back of the plastic casing.
Each time the canister is pressed, a puff of the medicine is released and the counter
will count down by one.
Who distributes ZEMPREON INHALER
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in August 2025.
Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.
© 2023 GSK group of companies or its licensor.
ZEMPREON CFC_wcounter_cmi\Aug25/00