Ventolin Hfa, Proair Hfa, Proventil Hfa, Proair Respiclick
Albuterol, Albuterol Hfa
Albuterol (al BYOO ter ole) is a generic medication prescribed for bronchospasm (tightening of your airways). Albuterol belongs to a group of drugs called beta-agonist bronchodilators.
Albuterol (al BYOO ter ole) is a generic medication prescribed for bronchospasm (tightening of your airways). Albuterol belongs to a group of drugs called beta-agonist bronchodilators.
- Generic
- • Nebulization Solution
- • 25 x 3ml of .083pct
- • 1 Package
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Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dana Kim, PharmD
Updated on June 16, 2023
This article describes albuterol’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find coupon options to help save on the cost of albuterol.
This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of albuterol. To find coupons for albuterol metered aerosol inhaler, see this article.
Common questions about albuterol
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about albuterol.
Are albuterol and levalbuterol similar?
Yes, albuterol and levalbuterol are similar. They’re both beta-agonist bronchodilator drugs. And they’re also both short-acting drugs. This means they can each be used as a rescue medication to treat bronchospasm (tightening of your airways).
Albuterol is available in several forms, including a syrup and tablet that are taken by mouth. It also comes as an aerosol that’s inhaled and a liquid that’s taken with a nebulizer. (A nebulizer is a machine that turns a liquid drug into a mist that you can inhale.) Levalbuterol is only available as an inhaler and a liquid for nebulization.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about ways to treat your condition.
Can albuterol and ipratropium be taken together?
Yes, albuterol can be taken with ipratropium. In fact, this combination of drugs comes as the medication Combivent Respimat. There may be other drugs that can be taken with albuterol as well.
If you’d like to know more about which drugs can be taken with albuterol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can albuterol be used for a cough?
Yes, albuterol can be used for a cough due to bronchospasm (tightening of your airways). A cough is a common symptom of bronchospasm.
Using albuterol for a cough due to other reasons would be an off-label use. Off-label means doctors prescribe a drug for a condition other than its approved uses.
If you have questions about the off-label use of albuterol, talk with your doctor for more information. Be sure to use albuterol exactly as your doctor recommends.
Is albuterol available over the counter?
No, albuterol is only available by prescription. Over-the-counter (OTC) inhalers don’t contain albuterol. They contain other drugs that may help with mild lung symptoms.
To find out if OTC inhalers are right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does albuterol work? And how long does it take to start working?
Albuterol works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This opens them and relieves symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
How long albuterol takes to start working depends on the form. The forms you inhale usually take less than 10 minutes to begin working. They reach their full effects in an hour or less. The forms you take by mouth will start working within 30 minutes. You’ll experience their full effects in about 2–3 hours.
If you’d like to know more about how albuterol works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses of albuterol
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as albuterol for certain conditions. Approved uses for albuterol are described below.
Use for bronchospasm
Doctors may prescribe albuterol inhalation solution, metered aerosol inhaler, oral tablet, or oral syrup for treating bronchospasm.
The inhaler can also be used to prevent bronchospasm in adults. The liquid for nebulization and the oral liquid can be used in children ages 2 years and older. The inhaler can be used in children ages 4 years and older. The oral tablet can be used in children ages 6 years and older. Albuterol can be prescribed as a short-term or long-term treatment.
With bronchospasm, the muscles of your airways tighten. This causes symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Albuterol is approved to treat and prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease, such as asthma. Bronchospasm can also occur with other conditions, such as bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Albuterol can be prescribed together with other medications to treat or prevent bronchospasm.
Side effects of albuterol
Albuterol may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of albuterol and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about albuterol’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for albuterol in the “Article resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of albuterol are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of albuterol you take.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about albuterol’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information for albuterol in the “Article resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Albuterol inhalation solution’s mild side effects include:
- dizziness
- headache
- nervousness
- tremors (unintentional, rhythmic movements of the body)
- mild allergic reaction*
Albuterol metered aerosol inhaler’s mild side effects include:
- dizziness
- headache
- runny or itchy nose
- sore throat
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for albuterol” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of albuterol are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about albuterol’s side effects, see the prescribing information for albuterol in the “Article resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, albuterol’s serious side effects include:
- changes in the heart’s electrical signals
- fast heart rate
- heart palpitations (feeling your heart skip a beat or have extra beats)
- high blood pressure
- low potassium levels
- paradoxical bronchospasm (tightening of the airway muscles that you wouldn’t expect)
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for albuterol” section.
Interactions and warnings for albuterol
Below, you’ll find information about albuterol’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of albuterol
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take albuterol, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for albuterol” section below.
Warnings for albuterol
Some people should not take albuterol, and others should take it cautiously.
Albuterol could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether albuterol is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for albuterol, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Albuterol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to albuterol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe albuterol. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to albuterol, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of albuterol
If you take albuterol by mouth or inhale it, you should not take or inhale more albuterol than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken or inhaled too much albuterol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and albuterol
Information about albuterol and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Albuterol and pregnancy
It’s not known whether albuterol should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Your doctor may talk with you about the MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies registry. It monitors pregnancy outcomes in people with asthma. (Albuterol may be prescribed for people with this condition.) You can contact the registry by calling 866-626-6847 or by visiting this website.
Albuterol and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether albuterol should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes albuterol’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about albuterol or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Are there alternative medications you can prescribe for my condition?
- Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
- Do any of my other medications interact with albuterol?
Article resources
- Albuterol sulfate aerosol, metered. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/52e209ac-7156-4496-ba5a-42ee59d45deb/spl-doc#section-8.1
- Albuterol sulfate solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d8dd6385-9c62-4f8a-9876-2acd27a5bc80/spl-doc
- Albuterol sulfate syrup. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4aafc2dd-744d-4726-828f-70355aee6f70/spl-doc
- Albuterol tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/230d66fc-f62c-42a6-adb3-0a0f879c8ad4/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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