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Overview: Albuterol is a medicine that is used for people who have a hard time breathing. It works by relaxing the muscles in your lungs. Common side effects include shakiness, nervousness, headache, or a feeling of skipped heartbeats. Albuterol comes as a liquid or a tablet that you take by mouth. Before taking albuterol, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you take.

Uses

What is albuterol used for?

Albuterol is commonly used in people who have a hard time breathing due to certain lung conditions, such as asthma.

Albuterol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does albuterol work (mechanism of action)?

Albuterol works to relax the muscles in your lungs, making it easier to breathe. 

How is albuterol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Proventil
  • Ventolin
  • Vospire ER

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 2 mg/5 mL oral syrup
  • 2 mg and 4 mg oral tablets

See also: Albuterol inhaled

How should I store albuterol?

Albuterol should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of albuterol?

The most common side effects of albuterol are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Tremor, shakiness, or nervousness
  • Headache
  • Feeling of skipped heartbeats
  • Chest pain
  • Fast heartbeat

There may be other side effects of albuterol that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of albuterol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of albuterol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Albuterol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking albuterol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Sudden Breathing Problems. Albuterol may cause the muscles around your airways to tighten (bronchospasm) right after you use it, instead of relaxing these muscles. In some cases, this can be serious. Stop taking albuterol and contact your health care provider right away if your breathing gets worse instead of better right after using albuterol.

Heart Effects. Albuterol may increase your risk of certain effects on the heart, such as raising your heart rate or blood pressure. If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Also call your health care provider or get medical attention right away if you have chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or if you feel your heartbeat more than usual.

Low Potassium Levels (Hypokalemia). Albuterol can cause a low potassium level, which can be serious and may lead to death. Your health care provider may check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low potassium level.

  • Weakness
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Muscle cramps or twitching
  • Constipation

Severe Skin Reactions. Rarely, albuterol can cause severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and erythema multiforme in children, that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop taking albuterol and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you or your child have any of the following symptoms.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use albuterol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take albuterol.

  • Albuterol
  • Proventil
  • Ventolin
  • Vospire ER
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific albuterol products they stock.

What should I know about albuterol before using it?

Do not take albuterol unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share albuterol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep albuterol out of the reach of children.

Tell your health care provider right away if your breathing problems have gotten worse or you feel like you need to take albuterol more often than before. Do not increase your dose or how often you take albuterol without first talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may give you another medicine to help.

If you are taking albuterol liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

What should I tell my health care provider before using albuterol?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if albuterol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Thyroid problems
  • Diabetes
  • Low potassium levels

Other Medicines and Supplements. Albuterol may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking albuterol, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how albuterol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if albuterol passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop albuterol.

Interactions

Does albuterol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between albuterol and foods or drinks.

There are no known interactions between albuterol and alcohol.

Does albuterol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking albuterol.

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed and others), which is a medicine commonly used for nasal congestion
  • A stimulant, such as amphetamine or lisdexamfetamine, which is a medicine commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • A tricyclic antidepressant within the past two weeks, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with albuterol. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much albuterol?

If you or someone else has used too much albuterol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of albuterol?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

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