Albuterol Inhaler

An albuterol inhaler is used to treat and prevent asthma attacks. It can also be used to treat and prevent airway spasms in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are a variety of albuterol inhalers available, including old inhalers made with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and new, environmentally friendly inhalers. When you use an albuterol inhaler during an asthma attack, it usually starts working within 6 to 15 minutes; you can also use the inhaler 15 to 30 minutes before exercise to help prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms.

 

What Is an Albuterol Inhaler?

An albuterol inhaler is a prescription medication used to treat or prevent airway spasms (called bronchospasms). Bronchospasms are most common in people with asthma but can also occur in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Albuterol inhalers are also approved to prevent exercise-induced asthma attacks.
 
(Click Albuterol Inhaler Uses for more information on what albuterol inhalers are used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Different Albuterol Inhalers

There are many different albuterol inhalers. Some are equivalent to each other, while others are not. Older inhalers are made using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the propellants, while newer inhalers use hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), an environmentally friendly propellant. The older inhalers include:
 
These older inhalers cannot be produced or sold after December 31, 2008, due to concerns that CFCs deplete the ozone layer (see Environmentally Friendly Albuterol Inhaler). Newer albuterol inhalers include:
 

How Does an Albuterol Inhaler Work?

Normally, air moves easily into and out of the lungs through a network of airways. However, during an asthma attack, the muscles around these airways tighten. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe -- this is called bronchospasm.
 
Albuterol is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short. Beta agonists stimulate beta receptors in the body, including those on the muscles around airways. This stimulation causes the muscles to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs.
 
Albuterol also has some effects on decreasing the activity of mast cells in the lungs, which play an important role in inflammation and allergic reactions.
 

Albuterol Inhaler Effects

In clinical studies, albuterol inhalers started working within 6 to 15 minutes, with effects lasting for three or four hours on average. Studies have also shown that using an albuterol inhaler 15 to 30 minutes before exercise can help prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms. Studies have also shown that the new HFA albuterol inhalers are just as effective as the older albuterol inhalers.
 

When and How to Use an Albuterol Inhaler

Some general considerations for when and how to use an albuterol inhaler include:
 
  • Some people use their albuterol inhaler only when they need it (during an asthma attack), while others use it regularly to help prevent attacks.
     
  • You should "test spray" each albuterol inhaler before your first use, or if you have not used it for a long period of time. To test spray the inhaler, spray it into the air by pressing on the top of the canister.
     
  • Shake your albuterol asthma inhaler gently before each use.
     
  • Wait at least one minute in between inhalations.
     
  • It is important to learn exactly how to use your albuterol inhaler. It may be difficult at first and may require practice.
     
  • The spray should be inhaled into the lungs, not sprayed into the back of the throat and swallowed. To accomplish this, you will need to breathe in while spraying the inhaler.
     
  • Most people put the mouthpiece of the inhaler directly into their mouths. However, many healthcare professionals now recommend placing the inhaler an inch or two away from the mouth. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way for you to use the inhaler.
     
  • Each inhaler contains 200 sprays. Try to keep track of approximately how many sprays you have used in order to know when to replace the inhaler. Do not place the inhaler in water to see if it is empty (although it was recommended to do so in the past). One inhaler (Ventolin HFA) has a counter that automatically keeps track of how many sprays are used.
     
  • For albuterol inhalers to work properly, they must be taken as prescribed. An albuterol inhaler will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Albuterol Inhaler Dosing

The dose of albuterol inhaler that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Whether you use your albuterol inhaler to treat or prevent asthma attacks
  • The severity of your asthma or other respiratory problems
  • Other medications you may be taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your albuterol inhaler dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Albuterol Inhaler Dosage for more information about dosing for albuterol inhalers.)
 

Side Effects of Albuterol Inhalers

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with albuterol inhalers. However, not everyone who uses an albuterol inhaler will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate albuterol inhalers well. When albuterol inhaler side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of albuterol inhalers include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (heart palpitations)
  • Irritated or runny nose
  • Nausea
  • Nervousness
  • Shakiness (tremor)
  • Throat irritation
  • Upper respiratory tract infections (such as the common cold).
     
(Click Albuterol Inhaler Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of albuterol inhalers, including some of the more serious side effects that you should report to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Albuterol Inhalers

Albuterol inhalers can potentially interact with several other medicines.
 
(Click Albuterol Inhaler Drug Interactions for more information about albuterol inhalers and other medicines.)
 

Albuterol Inhalers: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using an albuterol inhaler if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Albuterol Inhaler Warnings and Precautions for more information on this topic, including information on who should not use albuterol inhalers.)
 

Overdose With an Albuterol Inhaler

People who use an albuterol inhaler too much may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Chest pain (angina)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Nervousness
  • Headaches
  • Shakiness (tremor)
  • Dry mouth
  • Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (heart palpitations)
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Seizures
  • Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • Fatigue
  • Low potassium in the blood (hypokalemia)
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Loss of life.
     
If you happen to overdose on an albuterol inhaler, seek medical attention immediately.
 
(Click Albuterol Inhaler Overdose for more information.)
 

Albuterol Inhaler: Storage Methods

Albuterol inhalers should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. You should have an albuterol inhaler available at all times, especially if you have severe asthma attacks. To clean the inhaler, remove the canister from the plastic inhaler and run warm water through the plastic inhaler for 30 seconds. Let the inhaler air dry (do not use cloth or paper towels to dry the inhaler, as this may leave particles that may be inhaled). Never put the canister in water.
 
Keep your albuterol inhaler and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

Albuterol Inhaler: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not use your albuterol inhaler as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember, but do not take your doses more closely together than every four hours (unless absolutely necessary to control an attack).
 

Albuterol Inhaler Strengths

All albuterol inhalers contain 200 inhalations, with 90 mcg per inhalation.
 

Albuterol Inhaler: Generic

Currently, only the older Ventolin inhaler is available as a generic. All other albuterol inhalers have no generic equivalents.
 
(Click Generic Albuterol Inhaler for more information.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;