Proair HFA Uses

Although Proair HFA has been approved for the treatment of asthma attacks and other similar lung problems, the inhaler can also be used "off-label" to treat other conditions. Some off-label Proair HFA uses include the treatment of high potassium in the blood and breathing problems associated with respiratory infections (such as the flu or pneumonia). Proair HFA is approved for use in children who are at least 12 years old.

 

Proair HFA Uses

Proair HFA® (albuterol inhaler) is a prescription medication used to treat asthma and other similar lung problems. It is part of a class of asthma drugs known as beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short.
 
Unlike older inhalers, Proair HFA is an environmentally-friendly albuterol inhaler.
 

Proair HFA for Bronchospasm in Asthma or COPD

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways, which are the tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. When you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). The inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When the airways react, they narrow and constrict the airflow to your lungs. This is called a bronchospasm. It causes asthma symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing.
 
While there is no asthma cure, asthma can be controlled. There are many different asthma treatments, and Proair HFA represents one of the most basic and most important types of treatment for asthma. Proair HFA is a "rescue" asthma inhaler. It can help improve breathing very quickly. Even if you take other asthma controller medications, it is important to always have a rescue asthma medication available to relieve an attack.
 
Proair HFA is approved to both treat and prevent asthma attacks. Because Proair HFA is short-acting, it is not necessarily the best asthma medication for preventing asthma attacks. However, it is an excellent medication for treating asthma attacks or preventing exercise-induced asthma attacks (see Asthma and Exercise).
 
Asthma is not the only cause of bronchospasms. Proair HFA can also treat bronchospasms due to other lung problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
 
(Proair HFA Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;