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Albuterol is a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator (a medication that relaxes and widens air passages in the lungs to make breathing easier). It is called a rescue medication because it is used as needed, and its bronchodilator effect is quick and lasts up to six hours. It comes in either aerosols or powders that are taken with one or two inhalations by mouth using pocket-sized, metered-dose inhalers (PROAIR DIGIHALER, PROAIR HFA, PROAIR RESPICLICK, PROVENTIL-HFA, VENTOLIN HFA)[1] or as a...
Albuterol is a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator (a medication that relaxes and widens air passages in the lungs to make breathing easier). It is called a rescue medication because it is used as needed, and its bronchodilator effect is quick and lasts up to six hours. It comes in either aerosols or powders that are taken with one or two inhalations by mouth using pocket-sized, metered-dose inhalers (PROAIR DIGIHALER, PROAIR HFA, PROAIR RESPICLICK, PROVENTIL-HFA, VENTOLIN HFA)[1] or as a single-dose solution (ACCUNEB) that is inhaled by mouth for five to 15 minutes with a face mask or mouthpiece using a nebulizer (machine that turns the solution into a mist that can be inhaled).[2]
All forms of albuterol are approved to treat or prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lungs, which causes cough, shortness of breath and wheezing) associated with asthma or other reversible obstructive airway diseases. The inhaler forms also are approved to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.[3]
In April 2020, lung-disease groups (such as the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Lung Association) cautioned that certain areas of the country are experiencing shortages of albuterol inhalers.[4],[5] These shortages are due to the use of these inhalers in hospitals to help COVID-19 patients with breathing problems. Notably, hospitals are not using the solution forms due to concerns that nebulizers used by COVID-19 patients could spread the virus in the air. This possible risk does not apply to COVID-19-free patients using the nebulizer at home.
The Food and Drug Administration approved generic forms of Proair HFA and Proventil-HFA inhalers this year,[6],[7] which is expected to increase the availability of these products. The agency also extended expiration dates for certain lots of the Ventolin HFA inhaler by a few months.[8] If you are prescribed an albuterol inhaler for asthma or any other respiratory condition, do not ration or skip taking the drug when necessary because optimal control of your condition is your best defense against complications of these conditions.[9] Consult your doctor if you are running low on albuterol. He or she can switch you to a different medication with better availability or lower costs if needed.
References
[1] Teva Respiratory, LLC. Label: albuterol (PROAIR DIGIHALER) inhalation powder. September 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=667ce3ec-5217-4b10-b712-f3e54fbbf087&type=display. Accessed August 4, 2020.
[2] Dey Pharma, LP. Label: albuterol (ACCUNEB) inhalation solution. March 21, 2011. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020949s024lbl.pdf. Accessed August 4, 2020.
[3] Dey Pharma. Label. albuterol inhalation solution (ACCUNEB). March 2011. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020949s024lbl.pdf. Accessed August 20, 2020.
[4] American Lung Association. Patients with asthma should not ration medications during COVID-19 pandemic, says American Lung Association. April 15, 2020. https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/asthma-medicine-covid-19. Accessed August 4, 2020.
[5] American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. A message to asthma sufferers about a shortage of albuterol metered dose inhalers. Updated April 9, 2020. https://acaai.org/news/message-asthma-sufferers-about-shortage-albuterol-metered-dose-inhalers. Accessed August 4, 2020.
[6] Food and Drug Administration. FDA news release: FDA approves first generic of a commonly used albuterol inhaler to treat and prevent bronchospasm. April 8, 2020. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-generic-commonly-used-albuterol-inhaler-treat-and-prevent-bronchospasm#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Food%20and%20Drug,well%20as%20the%20prevention%20of. Accessed August 4, 2020.
[7] Food and Drug Administration. FDA news release: FDA approves first generic of ProAir HFA. Agency supports development of complex generic drugs to improve competition and access to more affordable medicines. February 24, 2020. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-generic-proair-hfa#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Food%20and%20Drug,exercise%2Dinduced%20bronchospasm%20in%20patients. Accessed August 4, 2020.
[8] Food and Drug Administration. Search list of extended use dates to assist with drug shortages. July 21, 2020. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-shortages/search-list-extended-use-dates-assist-drug-shortages. Accessed August 4, 2020.
[9] American Lung Association. Patients with asthma should not ration medications during COVID-19 pandemic, says American Lung Association. April 15, 2020. https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/asthma-medicine-covid-19. Accessed August 4, 2020.
