Albuterol (By breathing)

al-BUE-ter-ol

Treats or prevents bronchospasm.

Drug classes

Bronchodilator (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Albuterol is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in patients with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. This medicine is also used to prevent wheezing caused by exercise (exercise-induced bronchospasm).

Albuterol belongs to the family of medicines known as adrenergic bronchodilators. Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, albuterol is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood).

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Aerosol, Powder Under Pressure, Solution

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to use your inhaler, nebulizer, or medicine.

Solution:

You will use this medicine with an inhaler device called a nebulizer. The nebulizer turns the medicine into a fine mist that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. Your caregiver will show you how to use your nebulizer. Store unopened vials of this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. An open vial of medicine must be used right away.

Aerosol inhaler:

Shake the inhaler well just before each use. Avoid spraying this medicine into your eyes. Test spray in the air before using for the first time or if the inhaler has not been used for a while. If you are supposed to use more than one puff, wait 1 to 2 minutes before inhaling the second puff. Repeat these steps for the next puff, starting with shaking the inhaler. Clean the inhaler mouthpiece at least once a week with warm running water for 30 seconds. Let it air dry completely. Store the canister at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.

ProAir® Respiclick inhaler:

Make sure the cap is closed. Do not open the cap unless you are going to use the medicine. Hold the inhaler upright. Open the cap fully until you hear a click. Your inhaler is now ready to use. Close the cap firmly over the mouthpiece after each use. Keep the inhaler clean and dry at all times. Do not wash or put any part of the inhaler in water. To clean the mouthpiece, wipe it gently with a dry cloth or tissue. Keep the medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines can affect how albuterol works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Digoxin Beta-blocker Diuretic (water pill) Medicine for depression or an MAO inhibitor within the past 2 weeks

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to albuterol or milk proteins.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, or a history of seizures.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Paradoxical bronchospasm (increased trouble breathing right after use) Low potassium levels in the blood

If you use a corticosteroid medicine to control your asthma, keep using it as instructed by your doctor.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting

Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, chest pain

Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

Trouble breathing, increased wheezing, cough, chest tightness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose

Headache

Tremors, nervousness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Accuneb, Alti-Salbutamol Inhalation Aerosol, Apo-Salvent, Novaplus Ventolin HFA, ProAir HFA, Proair Respiclick, Proventil, Proventil HFA, ReliOn Ventolin HFA, Salbutamol, Salbutamol Nebuamp, Salbutamol Respirator Solution, Ventolin, Ventolin HFA, Ventolin Inhaler, Ventolin Nebules P.F., Ventolin Respirator, Ventolin Rotacaps

There may be other brand names for this medicine.