Albuterol

Albuterol is a fast-acting bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease, and to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm with certain inhalers.

Brand names VoSpire ERProventil SyrupProventil TabletsVentolin SyrupVentolin Tablets +11 more
Drug classes ⓘ Adrenergic Beta2-agonists
Rx Forms 5 Routes Respiratory (inhalation) · Oral · Intrabronchial
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 1, 2026

Built from the FDA-approved label, dated Apr 26, 2024 · How this page is built

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 2, 2026 🚨Recall on record
Other forms & routes:
Oral inhalation
⭐ Albuterol at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Bottom LineWritten from the FDA label in plain language · reviewed by
Albuterol is a quick-relief medicine that relaxes the airways to treat or prevent bronchospasm in reversible obstructive airway disease such as asthma. Use it exactly as directed, and call your doctor if you need it more often than usual, since that can signal worsening asthma. Seek urgent help for breathing that worsens after a dose or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asInhaler, Inhalation solution (nebulizer), Tablet +2
On the market since1986
Companies that make it77
FDA label last updatedApr 26, 2024
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

⚡ Quick answers about Albuterol

What is albuterol used for?

Albuterol opens up your airways when the muscles around them tighten (bronchospasm), as in asthma. Inhalers and powders are also used before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Read the full answer →

How do I use my albuterol inhaler?

It is breathed in through your mouth. The usual pattern for bronchospasm is a couple of puffs every 4 to 6 hours, and before exercise it is used 15 to 30 minutes ahead.

Read the full answer →

What side effects should I expect?

The most common are throat irritation, cough, upper respiratory irritation, viral respiratory infections and muscle or bone aches. These are usually manageable.

Read the full answer →

When should I worry or get help?

Get help right away if your breathing gets worse after a dose, or if you have hives, swelling of the face or throat, or chest pain or a racing heartbeat.

Read the full answer →
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 103 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

How we combine label and product data →

📖 Albuterol: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Albuterol — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

What Albuterol is used for

▾

Albuterol relieves or prevents bronchospasm (tightening of the airway muscles) in reversible obstructive airway disease. Approved uses and ages vary by product.

  • Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in ages 4 and older: albuterol inhalers and inhalation powders, including ProAir Digihaler, ProAir RespiClick and Ventolin HFA.
  • Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in ages 4 and older: the same inhalers and inhalation powders.
  • Relief of bronchospasm in ages 12 and older with acute attacks: albuterol inhalation solution (including the 0.5% strength) for nebulizers.
  • Relief of bronchospasm in children 2 to 12 with asthma: albuterol inhalation solution in unit-dose vials.
  • Relief of bronchospasm in adults and children 2 and older: albuterol sulfate syrup (by mouth).
  • Relief of bronchospasm in adults and children 6 and older: albuterol tablets.

How Albuterol works

▾

Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist. It attaches to beta-2 receptors on the muscles around your airways. This triggers a chain of steps inside the muscle cells that lets them relax. The airways open, from the windpipe down to the smallest tubes.

It also reduces the release of irritating substances from mast cells in the airways. The heart has some beta-2 receptors too, so albuterol can affect heart rate and blood pressure in some people.

How Albuterol is taken (dosage)

▾

How albuterol is taken depends on the product, so follow your own label and prescriber.

  • Inhalers and powders: breathed in through the mouth, usually every 4 to 6 hours for bronchospasm, or 15 to 30 minutes before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.
  • Nebulizer solution: unit-dose vials are given through a nebulizer over about 5 to 15 minutes.
  • Tablets and syrup: taken by mouth.
  • Do not take more than directed.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Albuterol prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For oral inhalation only Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adults and children 4 years of age and older: 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours by oral inhalation. In some patients, 1 inhalation every 4 hours may be sufficient. ( 2.1 ) Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in adults and children 4 years of age and older: 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise by oral inhalation. ( 2.2 ) ProAir Digihaler does not require priming. ( 2.3 ) Do not use with a spacer or volume holding chamber. ( 2.3 ) Keep the inhaler clean and dry at all times. Routine maintenance is not required. If the mouthpiece needs cleaning, gently wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth or tissue as needed. Never wash or put any part of the inhaler in water. ( 2.3 ) Discard 13 months after opening the foil pouch, when the dose counter displays 0, or after the expiration date on the product, whichever comes first. ( 2.3 ) ProAir Digihaler contains a built-in electronic module which detects, records, and stores data on inhaler events for transmission to the mobile App. Use of the App is not required for administration of medication to the patient. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Bronchospasm The recommended dosage is 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours by oral inhalation. More frequent administration or a larger number of inhalations is not recommended. In some patients, 1 inhalation every 4 hours may be sufficient. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm The recommended dosage is 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise by oral inhalation. 2.3 Administration and Maintenance Information Administer ProAir Digihaler by oral inhalation only. ProAir Digihaler inhaler does not require priming. Do not use ProAir Digihaler with a spacer or volume holding chamber. Keep the inhaler clean and dry at all times. Never wash or put any part of your inhaler in water. Routine maintenance is not required. If the mouthpiece needs cleaning, gently wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth or tissue as needed. 2.4 Dose Counter ProAir Digihaler inhaler has a dose counter attached to the actuator. When the patient receives the inhaler: For the 200 dose canister, the number 200 will be displayed. For the 30 dose canister, the number 30 will be displayed. The dose counter will count down each time the inhaler is actuated.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Albuterol side effects in detail

▾

Common side effects

  • Throat irritation
  • Viral respiratory infections
  • Upper respiratory inflammation
  • Cough
  • Musculoskeletal pain

When to get medical help

  • Get help right away if breathing gets worse right after a dose (paradoxical bronchospasm). This can be life threatening, so stop the medicine.
  • Call your doctor if you need more doses than usual. This can mean your asthma is getting worse.
  • Get emergency help for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips or throat, rash, or trouble breathing.
  • Tell your doctor about fast or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, or big changes in blood pressure.
  • Do not use more than recommended. Deaths have been reported with excessive use of inhaled drugs like this in people with asthma.
  • Low potassium (hypokalemia) and changes in blood sugar can occur.

The most common side effects reported with albuterol HFA inhaler in trials were:

  • Throat irritation
  • Viral respiratory infections
  • Upper respiratory inflammation
  • Cough
  • Musculoskeletal pain

Get help right away for worsening breathing after a dose, signs of a serious allergic reaction, or heart symptoms such as chest pain or a racing heartbeat.

Albuterol warnings and precautions

▾
  • Paradoxical bronchospasm: airways may tighten after a dose, which can be life threatening. Stop the medicine and seek help.
  • Worsening asthma: needing more doses than usual can mean asthma is getting worse and needs re-evaluation.
  • Not a replacement for anti-inflammatory medicine: albuterol alone may not control asthma, and a corticosteroid may be needed.
  • Heart effects: pulse, blood pressure and ECG changes can occur. Use caution with heart disease, irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure.
  • Excessive use: deaths have been reported with overuse. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
  • Allergic reactions: hives, swelling and anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) can occur. ProAir Digihaler contains lactose, which may contain trace milk proteins.
  • Potassium and blood sugar: low potassium and blood sugar changes can occur.

Albuterol interactions: what it interacts with

▾

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all your medicines. Key ones to watch:

  • Other short-acting airway-opening or adrenergic drugs: can add to the effects and the heart risks.
  • Beta-blockers: can block albuterol's effect and cause severe bronchospasm in people with asthma.
  • Non-potassium-sparing water pills (loop or thiazide): can worsen low potassium or ECG changes.
  • Digoxin: albuterol may lower digoxin levels, so levels may be checked.
  • MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: can boost albuterol's effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Albuterol prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

Other short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators should not be used concomitantly with ProAir Digihaler. If additional adrenergic drugs are to be administered by any route, they should be used with caution to avoid deleterious cardiovascular effects.

Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Other short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators should not be used concomitantly with ProAir Digihaler. If additional adrenergic drugs are to be administered by any route, they should be used with caution to avoid deleterious cardiovascular effects. Other short-acting sympathomimetic aerosol bronchodilators and adrenergic drugs: May potentiate effect. ( 7 ) Beta-blockers: May decrease effectiveness of ProAir Digihaler and produce severe bronchospasm. Patients with asthma should not normally be treated with beta-blockers. ( 7.1) Diuretics, or non-potassium sparing diuretics: May potentiate hypokalemia or ECG changes. Consider monitoring potassium levels. ( 7.2 ) Digoxin: May decrease serum digoxin levels. Consider monitoring digoxin levels. ( 7.3 ) Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: May potentiate effect of albuterol on the cardiovascular system. Consider alternative therapy in patients taking MAOs or tricyclic antidepressants. ( 7.4 ) 7.1 Beta-Blockers Beta-adrenergic-receptor blocking agents not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as ProAir Digihaler, but may produce severe bronchospasm in asthmatic patients. Therefore, patients with asthma should not normally be treated with beta-blockers. However, under certain circumstances, e.g., as prophylaxis after myocardial infarction, there may be no acceptable alternatives to the use of beta-adrenergic-blocking agents in patients with asthma. In this setting, consider cardioselective beta-blockers, although they should be administered with caution. 7.2 Diuretics The ECG changes and/or hypokalemia which may result from the administration of non-potassium sparing diuretics (such as loop or thiazide diuretics) can be acutely worsened by beta-agonists, especially when the recommended dose of the beta-agonist is exceeded.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿32 supplements and herbs with documented Albuterol interactions, ranked by severity Check Albuterol against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Albuterol

▾
  • Do not use ProAir Digihaler if you are allergic to albuterol or have a severe milk protein allergy.
  • Check first if you have heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, seizures, an overactive thyroid or diabetes.
  • People with kidney problems clear albuterol more slowly, so caution is advised with high doses.
  • Pregnancy: use during labor should be limited to cases where the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant.
  • Breastfeeding: albuterol levels after inhaled doses are low, but discuss it with your doctor.
  • Children: inhaler products are for ages 4 and older, tablets 6 and older, syrup 2 and older, and nebulizer solutions vary by product.
  • Older adults: doses are usually started low.

Albuterol overdose: if you take too much

▾

Too much albuterol can cause chest pain, high blood pressure, a very fast heartbeat, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness and trouble sleeping. Seizures, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and low potassium can also occur. Cardiac arrest and death have been linked to abuse. Treatment is to stop the medicine and treat symptoms, so get emergency help right away.

Pharmacodynamics: what Albuterol does in the body

▾

In a study of an albuterol powder inhaler, a single dose opened the airways significantly better than placebo and about as well as ProAir HFA. At high cumulative doses, it caused changes in blood sugar, potassium, heart rate and blood pressure. It also prolonged the QT interval (a heart rhythm measure on an ECG), as other beta-2 agonists do.

Pharmacokinetics: how your body processes Albuterol

▾

After inhalation, albuterol is absorbed quickly, with peak blood levels about half an hour later. Its effective half-life is about 5 hours. It is broken down mainly by an enzyme called sulfotransferase. Most of it leaves through the kidneys (80% to 100%). With kidney impairment, clearance dropped by about 67%.

How to store Albuterol

▾

store near heat or open flame. Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C); excursions permitted from 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) . Store the inhaler with the mouthpiece down.

📄 Written from Albuterol’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

32

Supplements & herbs that interact with Albuterol

32 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Albuterol in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 1
  • Moderate · 22
  • Minor · 9
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major BLACK TEA Moderate CAFFEINE Moderate COCOA Moderate COFFEE Moderate COFFEE CHARCOAL Moderate COLA NUT Moderate EPHEDRA Moderate +24 more
Every supplement checked against Albuterol — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 1 major · 22 moderate · 9 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Albuterol against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

2

Nutrient depletion considerations

Albuterol has been associated with lower levels of 2 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

Evidence & significance mix
  • Higher significance · 1
  • Moderate · 1
MAGNESIUM Insignificant Depletion POTASSIUM Moderate Depletion
See the full Albuterol nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

🩺 Albuterol: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Albuterol — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is albuterol used for?

▾
Albuterol opens up your airways when the muscles around them tighten (bronchospasm), as in asthma. Inhalers and powders are also used before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Which use and age range applies depends on the specific product you were given.

How do I use my albuterol inhaler?

▾
It is breathed in through your mouth. The usual pattern for bronchospasm is a couple of puffs every 4 to 6 hours, and before exercise it is used 15 to 30 minutes ahead. Some inhalers need priming and weekly washing, but ProAir Digihaler and ProAir RespiClick need neither and must never be put in water. Follow your own label.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
The most common are throat irritation, cough, upper respiratory irritation, viral respiratory infections and muscle or bone aches. These are usually manageable. Call me or your doctor if anything bothers you or doesn't go away.

When should I worry or get help?

▾
Get help right away if your breathing gets worse after a dose, or if you have hives, swelling of the face or throat, or chest pain or a racing heartbeat. Also call your doctor if you need it more often than usual, because that can mean your asthma is getting worse.

Can I take it with my other medicines?

▾
Tell me about everything you take. Beta-blockers can block albuterol and cause severe bronchospasm in people with asthma. Water pills, digoxin, MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and other airway-opening or adrenergic drugs can also interact.

Is it safe during pregnancy?

▾
Studies in people haven't consistently shown a risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. Poorly controlled asthma is itself risky in pregnancy, so staying controlled matters. Talk with your doctor, especially near labor, when albuterol should be used only if the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.

Is Albuterol available over the counter?

▾
Albuterol is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.

When was Albuterol first available?

▾
Albuterol has been available in the United States since at least 1986, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.

Who makes Albuterol?

▾
Albuterol is supplied by 77 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including A-S Medication Solutions, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., Remedyrepack Inc..

💬 Answers drafted from Albuterol’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 More about Albuterol on HelloPharmacist

📊Albuterol supplement interactions32 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerAlbuterol vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Albuterol NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

💊 Albuterol forms and strengths (how it comes)

Albuterol is available in 5 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Inhaler

By mouth · Inhaled
Brands Albuterol Sulate albuterol sulfate HFA Proair ProAir Digihaler Proventil HFA Ventolin Ventolin Hfa
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Albuterol Sulfate HFA and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol are used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people 4 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.
  • Albuterol Sulfate HFA and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol are also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm in people 4 years and older.
Important instructions
  • Albuterol Sulfate HFA and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol are for oral inhalation only, generally every 4 to 6 hours for bronchospasm.
  • Albuterol Sulfate HFA and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol are used 15 to 30 minutes before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.
  • Albuterol Sulfate HFA and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol need priming before first use or after a period of not being used, with sprays released into the air away from the face.
  • Albuterol Sulfate HFA and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol should have the actuator washed with warm water at least once a week and air dried completely.
Available strengths 2 strengths
90 mcg 108 mcg
139 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Inhalation solution (nebulizer)

Inhaled
Brands Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, 0.5% is used for relief of bronchospasm in people 12 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease and acute attacks of bronchospasm.
  • Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution (unit-dose vials) is used for relief of bronchospasm in children 2 to 12 years of age with asthma.
Important instructions
  • Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution unit-dose vials are given by nebulization, using the whole vial, over about 5 to 15 minutes.
  • Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution in children 2 to 12 is generally used 3 or 4 times daily as needed, and more frequent use is not recommended.
Available strengths 6 strengths
0.63 mg/3 mL 0.83 mg/mL 1.25 mg/3 mL 2.5 mg/0.5 mL 2.5 mg/3 mL 5 mg/mL
106 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Albuterol tablets are used for relief of bronchospasm in adults and children 6 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.
Important instructions
  • Albuterol tablets are taken by mouth. Follow your prescriber's directions and the product label.
Available strengths 2 strengths
2 mg 4 mg
49 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Oral solution

By mouth · Intrabronchial
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Albuterol Sulfate Syrup is used for relief of bronchospasm in adults and children 2 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.
Available strengths 4 strengths
0.63 mg/3 mL 1.25 mg/3 mL 2 mg/5 mL 2.5 mg/3 mL
20 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Inhalation powder

Inhaled
Brands ProAir Digihaler ProAir RespiClick
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • ProAir Digihaler is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people 4 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.
  • ProAir RespiClick is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm and to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm in people 4 years and older.
Important instructions
  • ProAir Digihaler and ProAir RespiClick are for oral inhalation only and do not require priming.
  • Do not use ProAir Digihaler or ProAir RespiClick with a spacer or volume holding chamber.
  • Keep ProAir Digihaler and ProAir RespiClick clean and dry. Wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth if needed, and never put any part in water.
  • ProAir Digihaler and ProAir RespiClick should be discarded 13 months after opening the foil pouch, when the dose counter shows 0, or after the expiration date.
Available strengths 1 strength
90 mcg
7 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

🖼️ What Albuterol products look like

Images from the FDA-filed labels on DailyMed — packaging and, where the labeler provides one, the tablet or capsule itself. Appearance varies by manufacturer; your pharmacy's product may differ.

Albuterol label image: albuterol-tablets-1.jpg (DailyMed)
albuterol-tablets-1.jpg
Albuterol label image: albuterol-tablets-2.jpg (DailyMed)
albuterol-tablets-2.jpg
Albuterol label image: albuterol-tablets-3.jpg (DailyMed)
albuterol-tablets-3.jpg
Albuterol label image: label.jpg (DailyMed)
label.jpg

Source: DailyMed label media (National Library of Medicine).

📊 Albuterol on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Albuterol appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

77 companies list 342 Albuterol product records with the FDA, mostly as inhaler, inhalation solution (nebulizer), tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1986. Brand names on the directory include VoSpire ER, Proventil Syrup, Proventil Tablets and 13 more; the rest are generics.

5
Dose forms ⓘ
77
Manufacturers
14
Brand names
342
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1986
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (21) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

A-S Medication Solutions9%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.8%
Remedyrepack Inc.8%
Proficient Rx LP5%
Aurobindo Pharma Limited4%
RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc.4%
Other makers62%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Albuterol is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Albuterol is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Albuterol is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

19,527,981
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$719.2M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Albuterol prescribed? Of the 1,600 medications we measure, Albuterol ranks #1 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 100% of them.

Where Albuterol ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #1 of 1,600
#1 Albuterol 19,527,981 Rx #2 Albuterol Oral Inhalat... 19,477,774 Rx #3 Ibuprofen 13,722,924 Rx #4 Atorvastatin 12,123,513 Rx #5 Cetirizine 12,078,490 Rx #6 Gabapentin 11,834,341 Rx #7 Amoxicillin 11,452,147 Rx #8 Fluticasone 11,068,970 Rx #9 Ondansetron 10,434,600 Rx #10 Fluticasone Nasal Spra... 9,154,113 Rx #11 Metformin 9,119,008 Rx

Utilization by Albuterol product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 200 actuation / 0.09 mg/actuation metered dose inhaler is the most-dispensed Albuterol product — about 39% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

NDA020983 200 ACTUAT albuterol 0.09 MG/ACTUAT Metered Dose Inhaler Most dispensed

7,548,039 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 39% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $429.9M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $57 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 13 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2123076

NDA021457 200 ACTUAT albuterol 0.09 MG/ACTUAT Metered Dose Inhaler

4,554,331 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 23% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $134.4M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $30 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 24 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2123072

albuterol 0.83 MG/ML Inhalation Solution

3,602,917 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 18% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $58.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $16 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 19 of 80 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 630208

NDA020503 200 ACTUAT albuterol 0.09 MG/ACTUAT Metered Dose Inhaler

3,078,848 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 16% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $72.6M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $24 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 21 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2123111

albuterol 0.417 MG/ML Inhalation Solution

348,922 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $10.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $30 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 8 of 19 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 351136

albuterol 0.21 MG/ML Inhalation Solution

204,349 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $6.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $30 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 17 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 351137

200 ACTUAT albuterol 0.09 MG/ACTUAT Dry Powder Inhaler

64,756 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $5.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $79 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1649560

albuterol 5 MG/ML Inhalation Solution

51,308 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $1.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $22 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 9 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 245314

albuterol 0.4 MG/ML Oral Solution

47,755 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $671,728 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $14 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 20 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 755497

NDA020983 60 ACTUAT albuterol 0.09 MG/ACTUAT Metered Dose Inhaler

23,503 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $826,695 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $35 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 8 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 801092

albuterol 2 MG Oral Tablet

1,226 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $56,085 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $46 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 35 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197316

albuterol 4 MG Oral Tablet

1,226 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $52,666 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $43 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 36 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197318

Sensor 200 ACTUAT albuterol 0.09 MG/ACTUAT Dry Powder Inhaler

180 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $17,896 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $99 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2166796

Other Albuterol products — combination packs and listings not yet matched to a specific clinical product (kept visible so every prescription is accounted for)

621 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Albuterol prescriptions shown $3,600 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $5.80 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 65 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity.

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Albuterol, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 63 of 352 listed Albuterol NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Albuterol products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Albuterol — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 200 of 342 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 342 Albuterol NDCs →

🚨 Albuterol recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

No recall of any Albuterol product is on record in the FDA enforcement database.

✅No recalls found for Albuterol in the FDA database

Source: openFDA drug enforcement (recall) reports.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Albuterol RxCUI 435 9 dose forms · 25 strengths
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Extended Release Oral Capsule RxCUI 379496 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 4 MG RxCUI 153741 8 MG RxCUI 153742
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Extended Release Oral Tablet RxCUI 370543 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 12 HR albuterol 4 MG RxCUI 359144 12 HR albuterol 8 MG RxCUI 359145
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Inhalation Powder RxCUI 2108233 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.1 MG RxCUI 252298 0.2 MG RxCUI 307779 0.4 MG RxCUI 104514
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Inhalation Solution RxCUI 2108226 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.21 MG/ML RxCUI 351137 0.417 MG/ML RxCUI 351136 0.83 MG/ML RxCUI 630208 2 MG/ML RxCUI 247840 5 MG/ML RxCUI 245314
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 370790 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.1 MG/ML RxCUI 386998 0.5 MG/ML RxCUI 199924 1 MG/ML RxCUI 248066
  8. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 544499 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.4 MG/ML RxCUI 755497
  9. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 370542 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 2 MG RxCUI 197316 4 MG RxCUI 197318 8 MG RxCUI 392321

Look up RxCUI 435 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Albuterol brand names

Albuterol is sold under 16 brand names in the FDA directory — VoSpire ER, Proventil Syrup, Proventil Tablets, Ventolin Syrup and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

VoSpire ER Proventil Syrup Proventil Tablets Ventolin Syrup Ventolin Tablets Volmax Proair Proventil Ventolin Ventolin Hfa albuterol sulfate HFA Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution ProAir Digihaler ProAir RespiClick Proventil HFA Albuterol Sulate

🏭 Who makes Albuterol: manufacturers and labelers

40 companies list Albuterol products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are A-S Medication Solutions, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., Remedyrepack Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

A-S Medication Solutions 26 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 23 Remedyrepack Inc. 23 Proficient Rx LP 16 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 13 RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 11 Teva Respiratory, LLC 10 Ritedose Pharmaceuticals, LLC 10 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 9 Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. 9 American Health Packaging 9 HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 8 Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation 8 Chartwell RX, LLC 8 Cardinal Health 107, LLC 7 Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 7 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 7 Bryant Ranch Prepack 7 Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC 7 Asclemed USA, Inc. 6 Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. 6 Cipla USA Inc. 4 Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 4 Luoxin Aurovitas Pharma (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. 4

…and 16 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Albuterol drug class (RxNorm)

Albuterol belongs to the beta2-Adrenergic Agonist class.

Pharmacologic class beta2-Adrenergic Agonist
Drug family (ATC) Selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists, Selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists
How it works Adrenergic beta2-Agonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Sources for this Albuterol page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Apr 26, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Albuterol.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Albuterol after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
103
NDC products indexed
342
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
77
Linked representative label ⓘ
GlaxoSmithKline LLC
Linked label effective
Apr 26, 2024
Composite sections available
21
Linked SPL Set ID
d92c5d6b-ff10-4087-36a2-1cfc464cb967
Linked SPL Document ID
08d3613c-b059-4e06-b42c-591a129f1649
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 103 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. GlaxoSmithKline LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.