What is albuterol?
Albuterol is the active ingredient found inside the Ventolin inhaler responsible for its therapeutic effect. Albuterol, which is also known as salbutamol, is an adrenergic bronchodilator. One Ventolin inhaler contains 90mcg (or 100mcg when measured internationally) of albuterol.
What is albuterol used for?
Albuterol is prescribed to patients with asthma or certain types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These are conditions that affect the lungs.
What does albuterol do?
Using albuterol will help treat or prevent bronchospasm, including exercise-induced bronchospasm. A bronchospasm causes symptoms such as difficulties breathing, chest tightness, or coughing or wheezing.
How does albuterol work?
A bronchial spasm occurs when muscles in the airway become swollen, which causes airways to become narrow and limits the amount of oxygen received by the lungs. To effectively treat or prevent bronchospasm, albuterol works on the narrow airways by relaxing the muscles; this allows them to open up wider. Now that the airways are expanded, air can now flow more easily through to the lungs, reducing symptoms of the bronchospasm.
How to use albuterol inhaler?
To use the inhaler, shake the HFA canister for 5 seconds; ensure it is shaken well before use each time. Prime the inhaler by pumping two sprays in the opposite direction of your face. Exhale deeply before putting the inhaler to your mouth; do not exhale into the inhaler. While pressing down on the canister, deeply and gently breathe in the medication. Hold your breath for 10 seconds and exhale. Allow 60 seconds to pass before doing a second dose, if required. If you are unsure how to use the albuterol (Ventolin) inhaler; contact your doctor for directions.
How long does albuterol last?
The exact amount of time albuterol effects last varies between each individual; effects typically last four to six hours and for others, longer than 8 hours.
How long do albuterol side effects last?
Most side effects occur while your body adjusts to the new medication which can sometimes take a few days to a few weeks and sometimes months; the exact amount of time will vary depending on how your body responds to treatment. Your health care professional may be able to inform you on how you can treat or prevent unwanted side effects. If side effects become unmanageable or begin to worry you, contact your doctor.
How often can you use albuterol inhaler?
Only your doctor can accurately tell you how often you can use this medication. Though commonly, adults and children at least 4 years old may use two puffs every 4-6 hours.
How long does albuterol stay in your system?
With a short half-life of only 6 hours, albuterol will take about 30 hours to clear out of your system after your last dose, which is just over one day.
How much does albuterol cost?
In the United States, albuterol is typically inexpensive as both a generic and when sold as the Ventolin inhaler. However, the generic is not covered by most medicare plans and the Ventolin inhaler is considered a tier 3 drug so while it may not be expensive, it will still likely cost more than other drugs within tier 1 and 2. At My Drug Center, we offer both the Ventolin inhaler and the generic albuterol inhaler at an affordable and low cost of $0.08-$0.12 per dose, available in multiples of 200 doses up to 1200 doses.
What are the side effects of albuterol?
The most common side effects associated with albuterol consist of chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, dizziness, feeling shaky or nervous, or headache. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.
How long is albuterol good for?
Each inhaler should have a specific expiration date printed commonly on the box or foil packaging; there may also be one on the inhaler canister. If you have troubles finding the expiration date, call your pharmacist and ask when the prescription was filled. In general, albuterol inhalers last for roughly one year after they have been prescribed.
How many puffs are in an albuterol inhaler?
Each albuterol inhaler contains 200 doses of albuterol, which is commonly around a one month supply for most.
Which inhaler to use first albuterol or Flovent?
When prescribed both albuterol and Flovent (fluticasone), you would generally take your Flovent dose first and immediately after take your albuterol dose, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.