Albuterol Inhaler Uses (Cont.)

Albuterol Inhaler Use in Children

Proventil HFA®, Ventolin HFA®, and generic albuterol inhalers are approved for children four years and older. Proventil® and Proair HFA® are approved for children 12 years and older. Other forms of albuterol are approved for use in younger children, but it may be difficult for young children to correctly use the albuterol inhaler. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the best ways to treat childhood asthma.
 

Off-Label Albuterol Inhaler Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend using an albuterol inhaler for treating something other than the conditions discussed above. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, off-label uses of albuterol inhalers include the treatment of:
 
  • High potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia)
  • Difficulty breathing associated with respiratory infections, such as pneumonia or the flu.
     
Although it is not usually thought of as a medication that can be abused, albuterol inhalers are sometimes used inappropriately for other uses, such as to lose weight, improve athletic performance, or to achieve a stimulant "high" (see Albuterol Abuse for more information).
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;