What It Is:
Albuterol is a quick-relief asthma medicine used to lessen asthma symptoms after they have started. It is a type of medicine called a bronchodilator, which does what it sounds like it does -- dilates your bronchial tubes, or airways. This relieves symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.Albuterol is sold under a variety of brand names at present, with generic versions also available. However, this will no longer be true after December 31, 2008, when the change to HFA-type inhalers will be complete (more below).
Albuterol can be used by adults and children age 12 and older to relieve asthma or chronic bronchitis symptoms, or to prevent the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.
How It Works:
Albuterol is a bronchodilator, but it is also sometimes called a short-term beta agonist -- a drug that relaxes the smooth muscles of your airways from your trachea all the way down to the smallest airways. It can also interfere with mast cells, which have to do with the inflammatory response associated with asthma.Forms & Doses:
Albuterol comes in a metal canister that releases the drug by means of what is known as a metered dose inhaler (MDI). MDIs transform liquid Albuterol into a fine mist, that is then inhaled through the mouth, sometimes by means of an additional device called a spacer.Albuterol is currently sold only under the brand names ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, and Ventolin HFA.
Each puff / inhalation of Albuterol contains 90 micrograms of medicine. The usual dose is 2 puffs as needed to relieve symptoms, and can be repeated every 4 to 6 hours.Those with exercise-induced asthma are usually recommended to use Albuterol about 15 to 30 minutes before physical activity.
Risks & Side Effects:
Albuterol is a safe medicine, when used as prescribed. Side effects associated with use of this inhaler include:- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- nervousness
- mild headache
- nausea, upset stomach
- difficulty sleeping
- cough
- mild throat irritation
- muscle, bone, or back pain
- unusual taste in mouth
Most people find that side effects, if they even occur in the first place, go away over time. If yours are persistent or become bothersome, be sure to talk with your doctor about your options.The following side effects are more serious, so you should call your doctor if you have any of them:
- fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- increased difficulty breathing
- difficulty swallowing
- hoarseness
What You Need to Know:
An Albuterol inhaler should not be used to control non-exercise types of asthma. Even people with mild asthma will benefit from being on some type of long-term preventive asthma medicine, such as Advair or an inhaled steroid. Albuterol should only be used when asthma symptoms worsen.If you use your Albuterol inhaler more than 2 times a week (for reasons other than managing exercise-induced asthma), that is a sign that your asthma may not be under control. If this is the case, you need to talk with your doctor about whether changes to your asthma treatment plan are needed.Follow the instructions carefully for using your Albuterol inhaler's MDI. You may want to review our step-by-step tutorial on how to use an MDI.
Albuterol can interact with other medications and cause unexpected negative effects. Be sure to mention to your doctor if you also take heart medicines (beta blockers), water pills (diuretics), epinenphrine (an over-the-counter inhaler), antidepressants, or any herbal preparations.
As with most MDIs, it is difficult to tell when the Albuterol inhaler is starting to run dry and is no longer dispensing the right dose of medicine. The only way to know for sure is to keep track of how many puffs you have used.
When to Call Your Doctor
Any time you do not have the expected effect from using your Albuterol inhaler, it's important to let your doctor know. This is true whether you are having a severe side effect or if the medicine does not seem to improve your asthma symptoms.
Also, tell your doctor if you have any history of heart problems, including an irregular heart beat or high blood pressure.
If you'd like to learn more about Albuterol, including how it might interact with other medications you are taking, check out the Drugs A to Z page.
Sources: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., "Albuterol Inhalation." Medline Plus. 01 03 2007. 18 Jan 2008 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682145.html. Full Prescribing Information for Proair HFA. 18 Jan 2008 http://www.proairhfa.com/pdf/ProAirPrescribingInformation.pdf
