Prescription Required 
Formulation : 
Description
Indications
Albuterol belongs to a group of medications known as bronchodilators, which are utilized to prevent and manage symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and difficulty breathing caused by lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This medication operates by relaxing and widening the air passages to the lungs, which helps to facilitate breathing.
Uses and Dosage
Albuterol is available in different forms: as a liquid solution for inhalation via a jet nebulizer, and as an aerosol or powder for inhalation using an inhaler. When used to manage lung disease symptoms, the inhalation aerosol or powder is typically used every 4 to 6 hours as needed. For preventing breathing difficulty during exercise, it’s usually administered 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. The nebulizer solution is generally used three or four times daily. Follow your prescription label diligently and seek clarification from your doctor or pharmacist regarding any uncertainties.
Use albuterol precisely as instructed—avoid exceeding or reducing the dosage or frequency without medical advice.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you feel albuterol inhalation isn’t effectively controlling your symptoms anymore. Should you find yourself needing to use the medication more frequently than usual, notify your doctor.
Albuterol manages symptoms of asthma and lung diseases but doesn’t cure them. Do not discontinue albuterol without consulting your doctor.
The number of inhalations provided by each albuterol aerosol inhaler varies (either 60 or 200). The powder inhaler is designed for 200 inhalations. After reaching the specified number of inhalations, subsequent ones may not contain the correct medication dose. Dispose of the aerosol inhaler after reaching the labeled number of inhalations, even if liquid remains. For the powder inhaler, discard it 13 months after opening the foil wrapper, upon reaching the expiration date, or after the labeled number of inhalations, whichever comes first.
Some inhalers come with an attached counter to track usage. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding its use and refrain from altering or removing the counter.
If your inhaler lacks an attached counter, monitor your usage manually. Avoid submerging the canister in water to check medication levels.
The inhaler provided with albuterol aerosol is meant solely for use with albuterol. Never use it for inhaling other medications, and don’t substitute it with another inhaler for albuterol.
Take care to prevent albuterol inhalation from reaching your eyes.
Avoid using your albuterol inhaler near flames or heat sources, as it may explode under very high temperatures.
Before initial use of the albuterol inhaler or jet nebulizer, carefully read the provided instructions and seek demonstration from your healthcare provider.
If your child will be using the inhaler, ensure they understand its proper usage. Supervise each use to confirm correct administration.
Side Effects
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention:
- nervousness
- shakiness
- dizziness
- headache
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- muscle cramps
- excessive motion or activity
- sudden changes in mood
- nosebleed
- nausea
- increased or decreased appetite
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- pale skin
Inform your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any serious side effects:
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- fever
- blisters or rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- increased difficulty breathing
- difficulty swallowing
- hoarseness
Caution
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist of any allergies you may have before using albuterol, including allergies to similar drugs like levalbuterol, metaproterenol, or terbutaline. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems, so speak with your pharmacist for more information.
- Prior to using this medication, disclose your medical history to your doctor or pharmacist, particularly any heart problems such as irregular heartbeat, angina, or heart attack, high blood pressure, or seizures.
- This drug may cause dizziness, and consuming alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) may exacerbate this effect. Until you can perform tasks safely, avoid driving, using machinery, or performing any activity that requires alertness. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages and discuss your use of marijuana with your doctor.
- If you are pregnant, use this medication only if it is clearly necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Prior to breastfeeding, consult your doctor for guidance.
Form and Strength
Ventolin Diskus is available in the following forms and strengths:
- Ventolin Diskus inhalation device:
- 200 mcg
FAQ
Is a Ventolin inhaler a steroid?
No, Ventolin does not contain steroids.
Is it OK to use Ventolin for coughing?
Usually Ventolin inhalers are only used to treat the breathing symptoms of a different condition. If however you have irritated your lungs by coughing over a long period of time then the Ventolin inhaler can help to suppress the need to cough, allowing your lungs to recover.
Resources
- https://www.healthcentre.org.uk/pharmacy/ventolin-inhaler-cough.html#:~:text=Usually%20Ventolin%20inhalers%20are%20only,allowing%20your%20lungs%20to%20recover
- https://medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/ventolin
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-22577/ventolin-hfa-inhalation/details
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682145.html
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607004.html
- https://www.drugs.com/ventolin.html#
