Highlights for albuterol
Albuterol is used to relieve tightening and swelling of the muscles around the airways (bronchospasm) in children and adults with asthma. It’s also used to prevent exercise-induced asthma.
Albuterol is available in these forms: nebulizer solution, metered dose inhaler, immediate-release tablet, extended-release tablet, and oral syrup. You take this drug by mouth or inhalation.
The metered dose inhaler is available as the brand-name drugs ProAir, Ventolin, and Proventil. It isn’t available as a generic drug.
The more common side effects of this drug include fast or irregular heart rate, chest pain, shakiness, nervousness, headache, dizziness, sore throat, and runny nose.
Depending on what form you take, albuterol’s actions can last 6–12 hours. You shouldn’t take this drug more often than what your doctor recommends. If your symptoms become worse or you need to use it more frequently, seek medical attention right away.
Worsening breathing or wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm) See Details
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Worsening asthma See Details
What is albuterol?
This drug is a prescription drug. It’s available as a metered dose inhaler.
This drug is a brand-name drug. It isn’t available as a generic drug.
This drug may be taken as part of a combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids, long acting beta agonists, and bronchodilators to help with symptoms of asthma.
Why it's used
This drug is used to treat or prevent tightening and swelling of the muscles around the airways (bronchospasm) in people with asthma (reversible obstructive airway disease). It’s given to people 4 years of age and older.
It’s also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasms in people 4 years of age and older.
How it works
This drug belongs to a class of drugs called beta2-adrengergic bronchodilators. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. They are often used to treat similar conditions.
This drug helps to relax the airway muscles for up to 6–12 hours. This helps you breathe more easily.
albuterol Side Effects
More Common Side Effects
Some of the more common side effects that can occur with albuterol include:
fast or irregular heart rate
chest pain
shakiness
nervousness
headache
dizziness
sore throat
runny nose
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious Side Effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 9-1-1 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
tightening and swelling of the muscles around your airways (bronchospasm). Symptoms include:
- trouble breathing
- wheezing
serious allergic reaction. Symptoms include:
- hives
- skin rash
- swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat
- trouble swallowing
- worsening of your breathing problems, such as wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath
- loss of blood pressure and consciousness (shock)
heart problems. Symptoms include:
- faster heart rate
- higher blood pressure
severe skin reactions, such as erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, may rarely occur in children. Symptoms include:
- itching
- burning
- red lesions or a rash that spreads over your body
- fever
- chills
This drug doesn’t cause drowsiness.
albuterol May Interact with Other Medications
Albuterol can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Medications that might interact with this drug
Blood pressure drugs
In general, people with asthma shouldn’t use blood pressure
medicines called beta blockers. Beta blockers block the breathing effect of
albuterol. This can cause severe bronchospasms and more trouble breathing in
people with asthma.
These drugs include:
- beta blockers, such as:
- propranolol
- atenolol
Using other blood pressure drugs such as water pills
(diuretics) with albuterol can cause heart rhythm changes and lower than normal
potassium levels. If these medications are given together, your doctor should
monitor your potassium levels.
These drugs include:
- furosemide
- hydrochlorothiazide
- chlorthalidone
- bumetanide
In general, people with asthma shouldn’t use blood pressure medicines called beta blockers. Beta blockers block the breathing effect of albuterol. This can cause severe bronchospasms and more trouble breathing in people with asthma.
These drugs include:
- beta blockers, such as:
- propranolol
- atenolol
Using other blood pressure drugs such as water pills (diuretics) with albuterol can cause heart rhythm changes and lower than normal potassium levels. If these medications are given together, your doctor should monitor your potassium levels.
These drugs include:
- furosemide
- hydrochlorothiazide
- chlorthalidone
- bumetanide
Digoxin
Use caution when taking digoxin and albuterol together.
Albuterol can lower digoxin levels in your body. This means that it may not
work as well. You doctor may adjust your digoxin dose and monitor your digoxin
blood levels during treatment.
Use caution when taking digoxin and albuterol together. Albuterol can lower digoxin levels in your body. This means that it may not work as well. You doctor may adjust your digoxin dose and monitor your digoxin blood levels during treatment.
Depression medications
Use extreme
caution if you take albuterol with certain depression medicines or take them
within 2 weeks of each other. Taking these drugs together may significantly
increase the heart effects of albuterol.
These drugs
include:
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs), such as:
- phenelzine
- selgiline
- tranylcypromine
- tricyclic antidepressants, such as:
- amitriptyline
- imipramine
- nortriptyline
Use extreme caution if you take albuterol with certain depression medicines or take them within 2 weeks of each other. Taking these drugs together may significantly increase the heart effects of albuterol.
These drugs include:
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs), such as:
- phenelzine
- selgiline
- tranylcypromine
- tricyclic antidepressants, such as:
- amitriptyline
- imipramine
- nortriptyline
Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition such as insufficiency, irregular heart rate, or high blood pressure. Albuterol may significantly change your blood pressure, heart rate, or pulse. This could make your heart condition worse.
Albuterol can make your blood sugar control worse. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.
Albuterol may make your overactive thyroid worse. If you have this condition, talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.
If you have seizures, talk to your doctor to find out if this drug is safe for you. It can make your condition worse.
Albuterol can further lower your potassium levels. If you already have low potassium levels, this could cause negative heart effects.
Albuterol is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:
- Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
- There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
It isn’t known if albuterol passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breast-fed.
Talk to your doctor if you breast-feed your baby. You may need to decide whether to stop breast-feeding or stop taking this medication.
Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dose may cause levels of the drug to be higher than normal. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dose or a different schedule.
The safety and effectiveness of this drug hasn’t been established in children under the age of 4 years. This drug shouldn’t be used in children younger than 4 years.
This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include:
- trouble breathing
- swelling of your throat or tongue
- hives
Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms.
Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
How to Take albuterol (Dosage)
All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:
- your age
- the condition being treated
- how severe your condition is
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
What are you taking this medication for?
Tightening and swelling of the muscles around the airways (bronchospasm)
Brand: ProAir HFA
Form: Inhalation aerosol (metered dose inhaler)
Strengths: 8.5 g/200 actuations
Brand: Ventolin HFA
Form: Inhalation aerosol (metered dose inhaler)
Strengths: 8.5 g/200 actuations
Brand: Proventil HFA
Form: Inhalation aerosol (metered dose inhaler)
Strengths: 8.5 g/200 actuations
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Bronchospasm:
The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some
people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more
inhalations or take your drug more often.
- Exercise-induced
bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes
before starting exercise.
Child dosage (ages 4–17 years)
- Bronchospasm:
The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some
people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more
inhalations or take your medicine more often.
- Exercise-induced
bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes
before starting exercise.
Child dosage (ages 0–3 years)
The safety and effectiveness of this drug hasn’t been established in children younger than 4 years of age.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dose may cause levels of the drug to be higher than normal. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dose or a different schedule.
Brand: ProAir HFA
Brand: Ventolin HFA
Brand: Proventil HFA
- Bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more inhalations or take your drug more often.
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes before starting exercise.
- Bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more inhalations or take your medicine more often.
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes before starting exercise.
The safety and effectiveness of this drug hasn’t been established in children younger than 4 years of age.
Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dose may cause levels of the drug to be higher than normal. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dose or a different schedule.
Prevent exercise-induced asthma
Brand: ProAir HFA
Form: Inhalation aerosol (metered dose inhaler)
Strengths: 8.5 g/200 actuations
Brand: Ventolin HFA
Form: Inhalation aerosol (metered dose inhaler)
Strengths: 8.5 g/200 actuations
Brand: Proventil HFA
Form: Inhalation aerosol (metered dose inhaler)
Strengths: 8.5 g/200 actuations
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Bronchospasm:
The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some
people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more
inhalations or take your drug more often.
- Exercise-induced
bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes
before starting exercise.
Child dosage (ages 4–17 years)
- Bronchospasm:
The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some
people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more
inhalations or take your medicine more often.
- Exercise-induced
bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes
before starting exercise.
Child dosage (ages 0–3 years)
The safety and effectiveness of this drug hasn’t been established in children younger than 4 years of age.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dose may cause levels of the drug to be higher than normal. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dose or a different schedule.
Brand: ProAir HFA
Brand: Ventolin HFA
Brand: Proventil HFA
- Bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more inhalations or take your drug more often.
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes before starting exercise.
- Bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth every 4–6 hours. Some people may only need 1 inhalation every 4 hours. You shouldn’t take more inhalations or take your medicine more often.
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm: The usual dose is 2 inhalations taken by mouth 15–30 minutes before starting exercise.
The safety and effectiveness of this drug hasn’t been established in children younger than 4 years of age.
Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dose may cause levels of the drug to be higher than normal. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dose or a different schedule.
This drug comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.
If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all
If you don’t take albuterol at all, your asthma might get worse. This can lead to irreversible scarring of your airway. You’ll have shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule
This drug is used on an as-needed basis. However, if you’re having acute flare-ups of asthma, you should be taking this drug 3-4 times a day. If you don’t take it on schedule during this time, you’ll have more trouble breathing.
If you take too much
You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:
- fast heartbeat
- arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- jitteriness
If you think you’ve taken too much of the drug, act right away. Call your doctor or local poison control center, or go to the nearest emergency room.
What to do if you miss a dose
This drug can be used as needed. If you’re using it on a scheduled basis (for asthma flare ups) and miss a dose, take your dose as soon as you remember. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working
If this drug is working, your asthma symptoms should get better. You may not have as much shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing.
This drug is a short-term and long-term drug treatment
You can use this drug during flare-ups for your asthma. You might also need to take this drug long-term to relieve shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing due to your asthma.
Are there any alternatives?
There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.
- Albuterol- albuterol sulfate tablet. (2010, January). Retrieved from http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1c1f3881-2b68-4bdb-a12f-8134fe8ba961
- Proventil HFA – albuterol sulfate aerosol, metered. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/020503s046lbl.pdf
Content developed in collaboration with Susan J. Bliss, RPh, MBA
Medically reviewed by Creighton University, Center for Drug Information and Evidence-Based Practice on May 26, 2015
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