Known brand names include Ventolin, ProAir, and Proventil.
A quick-relief (rescue) inhaler that opens the airways during asthma symptoms or before exercise. One dose lasts about 4 to 6 hours. It does not replace controller medicines such as inhaled steroids.
Labeled use. 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.
Labeled use. Rescue treatment or prevention of bronchospasm; not a substitute for anti-inflammatory therapy.
The standard short-acting rescue bronchodilator for acute bronchospasm and before exercise. Current asthma guidelines discourage SABA-only treatment, so most patients also need a controller such as an inhaled corticosteroid, and some regimens use an ICS-formoterol reliever instead of albuterol. Levalbuterol is an alternative but offers little proven advantage.
A short-acting beta-2 agonist. Stimulating beta-2 receptors on airway smooth muscle raises cyclic AMP and relaxes the bronchi. Some beta-2 receptors sit in the heart (10% to 50% of cardiac beta receptors), so heart effects are still possible.
Sources: [1]
The label does not describe a narrow therapeutic index or direct dosing by measured blood levels of the drug.
Sources: [1]
Doses come from the FDA label. Study tool, not for clinical decisions.
The label gives no renal dose adjustment. Older adults should start at the low end because of more frequent organ impairment.
No specific antidote. Overdose causes excess beta stimulation: tachycardia up to 200 beats/min, arrhythmias, seizures, hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia. Stop the drug and treat symptoms. A cardioselective beta blocker may be considered cautiously because it can trigger bronchospasm.
Sources: [1]
Epidemiologic data on inhaled albuterol do not consistently show a risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. No randomized pregnancy studies exist, and poorly controlled asthma carries its own risks. A pregnancy registry is available.
Sources: [1]
No milk data, but plasma levels after inhalation are low, so any amount in milk is likely low too.
Sources: [1]