Adult Dosing
Bronchospasm
- Usual dose: 2 INH (180 mcg) every 4-6 hrs PRN; Alt: 1 INH q4 hrs PRN
Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm
- 2 INH 15-30 minutes before exercise
Acute Bronchitis [Non FDA Approved]
- Usual dose: 2 INH (180 mcg) every 4-6 hrs PRN or 2.5-5 mg by nebulizer every 4-6 hrs PRN
Bronchiectasis [Not FDA Approved]
- 180 mcg (2-4 puffs) q4 hrs PRN OR 2.5-5 mg nebulized every 4 hours PRN
Acute Asthma [Non-FDA Approved]
- 2 puffs q4-6 hrs PRN; Alt: 2.5mg nebulized tid-qid deliver over 5-15 mins
Pediatric Dosing
Bronchospasm (occasional, mild)
Inhalation
- Child >4 yrs: Usual, 180 mcg (2 INH; allow 1 minute between inhalations) as often as every 4-6 hrs (as needed ONLY)
Nebulizer
- Child
- < 2 yrs: 0.05-0.15 mg/kg q4-6 hrs (Max: 1.25 mg/dose)
- 2-5 yrs: 0.1-0.15 mg/kg q4-6 hrs (Max: 2.5 mg/dose). Titrate: 1.25-2.5 mg q4-6 hrs
- 6-11 yrs: 2.5 mg q4-6 hrs
- >12 yrs: 2.5-5 mg q4-6 hrs
Aerosol (MDI)
- 1-2 puffs (90-180 mcg) q4-6 hrs PRN
Bronchospasm (Acute or more severe)
Inhalation
- 4-8 INH q20 minutes for up to 4 hrs
Nebulizer
- Child >12 yrs
- 2.5-5 mg q20 minutes x 3 doses, then 2.5-10 mg q1-4 hrs PRN or via continuous nebulization typically at 10-15 mg/hr
- Child <12 yrs
- 0.15-0.3 mg/kg q1-4 hrs
- Continuous nebulization: 0.15 mg/kg q20 minutes x 3 doses, then continuous nebulization of 0.5 mg/kg/hr (Max: 15 mg/hr)
Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm
- Child >4 yrs: 2 INH 15 minutes before exercise
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Excessive chronic use likely increases asthma mortality. It is important in cases of persistent asthma that this not be the primary therapy; instead, other preventive therapies such as inhaled corticosteroids should be the mainstay of therapy
- Use with caution in patients sensitive to sympathomimetic drugs and patients with cardiovascular or convulsive disorders
- Albuterol tablets can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening; if paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, discontinue therapy and institute alternative therapy
- This drug is not a substitute for corticosteroids
- Discontinue drug if hypersensitivity reactions occur
Cautions: Use cautiously in:
- Cardiovascular disorders (coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, HTN)
- Hypokalemia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pheochromocytoma
- Pregnancy
- Elderly patients
Supplemental Patient Information
- Instruct patients not to take albuterol more frequently than recommended
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: It is not known whether albuterol is excreted in breast milk nor whether it has a harmful effect on the newborn; decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
US Trade Name(s)
- AccuNeb
- Proair HFA
- Proventil HFA
- Ventolin HFA
US Availability
albuterol (generic)
- SOLN for INH: 0.021%
- SOLN for INH: 0.042%
- SOLN for INH: 0.083%
- SOLN for INH: 0.5%
AccuNeb
- SOLN for INH: 0.021%
- SOLN for INH: 0.042%
Proair HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA
Canadian Trade Name(s)
- Airomir
- APO-Salvent
- APO-Salvent AEM
- APO-Salvent CFC Free
- APO-Salvent Sterules
- Ventolin Diskus
- Ventolin HFA
- Ventolin Nebules P.F.
- Ventolin Respirator solution
Canadian Availability
salbutamol (generic)
- SOLN for INH: 1 mg/mL
- SOLN for INH: 5 mg/mL
- SOLN for INH: 2 mg/mL
- SOLN for INH: 0.5 mg/mL
- MDI: 100 mcg/ACT
Airomir
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered dose
APO-Salvent
APO-Salvent AEM, APO-Salvent CFC Free
APO-Salvent Sterules
- SOLN for INH: 0.5 mg/mL
- SOLN for INH: 1 mg/mL
- SOLN for INH: 2 mg/mL
Ventolin Diskus
Ventolin HFA
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered dose
Ventolin Nebules P.F.
- SOLN for INH: 2.5 mg/2.5 mL
- SOLN for INH: 5 mg/2.5 mL
Ventolin Respirator solution
UK Trade Name(s)
- Airomir
- Asmasal Clickhaler
- Salamol Easi-Breathe
- Salbulin MDPI Novolizer
- Sabumalin
- Ventolin Accuhaler
- Ventolin Evohaler
- Ventolin Nebules
- Ventolin Respirator Solution
UK Availability
salbutamol (generic)
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
- NEB: 2.5 mg/2.5mL (1 mg/mL)
- NEB: 5 mg/2.5 mL (2 mg/mL)
- AEROCAPS: 200, 400 mcg
- DPI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
- DPI: 200 mcg/metered inhalation
Airomir, Salamol Easi-Breathe
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
Asmasal Clickhaler
- DPI: 95 mcg/metered inhalation
Salbulin MDPI Novolizer
- DPI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
Sabumalin
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered dose
Ventolin Accuhaler
- DPI: 200 mcg/blister for inhalation
Ventolin Evohaler
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
Ventolin Nebules
- NEB: 2.5 mg/2.5mL (1 mg/mL)
- NEB: 5 mg/2.5 mL (2 mg/mL)
Ventolin Respirator Solution
Australian Trade Name(s)
- Airomir
- Asmol Inhaler CFC-Free
- Asmol uni-dose
- Butamol
- Epaq Inhaler
- Ventolin Nebules
- Ventolin CFC-Free Inhaler
- Ventolin Rotacaps
- Ventolin Respirator Solution
Australian Availability
salbutamol (generic)
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
- SOLN for INH: 2.5 mg/2.5 mL (1 mg/mL)
- SOLN for INH: 5 mg/2.5 mL (2 mg/mL)
- SOLN for INH: 5 mg/mL
Airomir, Asmol Inhaler CFC-Free, Epaq Inhaler
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
Asmol uni-dose, Butamol
- SOLN for INH: 2.5 mg/2.5 ml (1 mg/mL)
- SOLN for INH: 5 mg/2.5 ml (2 mg/mL)
Ventolin CFC-Free Inhaler
- MDI: 100 mcg/metered inhalation
Ventolin Nebules
- SOLN for INH: 2.5 mg/2. 5mL (1 mg/mL)
- SOLN for INH: 5 mg/2.5 mL (2 mg/mL)
Ventolin Rotacaps
Ventolin Respirator Solution
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- AccuNeb 1.25 MG/3ML NEBU [Plas Cont] (DEY LABS)
75 3ml = $53.82
225 3ml = $158.28 - AccuNeb 0.63 MG/3ML NEBU [Plas Cont] (DEY LABS)
75 3ml = $56.99
225 3ml = $155.97 - Albuterol Sulfate 0.63 MG/3ML NEBU [Box] (WATSON LABS)
75 3ml = $43.99
225 3ml = $107.97 - ProAir HFA 108 (90 Base) MCG/ACT AERS [Inhaler] (IVAX PHARMACEUTICALS)
INC. act = $8.5
act = $25.5 - Albuterol Sulfate (2.5 MG/3ML) 0.083% NEBU [Box] (NEPHRON PHARMACEUTICALS CORP.)
75 0.083% = $18.99
225 0.083% = $49.97 - Ventolin HFA 108 (90 Base) MCG/ACT AERS [Inhaler] (GLAXO SMITH KLINE)
18 act = $46.99
54 act = $119.97 - Proventil HFA 108 (90 Base) MCG/ACT AERS [Inhaler] (SCHERING)
6.7 act = $55.99
13.4 act = $102.97
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.