Albuterol (Albuterol Sulfate) - Summary

ALBUTEROL SUMMARY

ALBUTEROL
TABLETS, USP
2 mg and 4 mg

Albuterol tablets contain albuterol sulfate, USP, the racemic form of albuterol and a relatively selective beta₂-adrenergic bronchodilator.

Albuterol tablets are indicated for the relief of bronchospasm in adults and children 6 years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Albuterol

Bronchodilator effects of exercise hyperpnea and albuterol in mild-to-moderate asthma. [2009.08]
In asthmatic patients, either bronchodilatation or bronchoconstriction may develop during exercise. In 18 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, we conducted two studies with the aims to 1) quantify the bronchodilator effect of hyperpnea induced by incremental-load maximum exercise compared with effects of inhaled albuterol (study 1, n=10) and 2) determine the time course of changes in airway caliber during prolonged constant-load exercise (study 2, n=8)...

High-dose continuous nebulized levalbuterol for pediatric status asthmaticus: a randomized trial. [2009.08]
OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of high-dose continuous levalbuterol (LEV), the single active (R)-enantiomer of racemic albuterol (RAC), in the treatment of status asthmaticus... CONCLUSIONS: Substituting high-dose continuous LEV for RAC did not reduce the time on continuous therapy and had similar adverse effects in children who had failed initial treatment with RAC.

Safety of daily albuterol in infants with a history of bronchospasm: a multi-center placebo controlled trial. [2009.07.16]
INTRODUCTION: Inhaled short-acting bronchodilators are recommended for the quick relief of bronchospasm symptoms in children including those less than five years of age. However, limited safety data is available in this young population... CONCLUSION: This study provides additional albuterol HFA safety information for the treatment of children aged birth </=24 months with a history of bronchospasm.

Home use of albuterol for asthma exacerbations. [2009.06]
BACKGROUND: To reduce symptoms and emergency department (ED) visits, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines recommend early treatment of acute asthma symptoms with albuterol and oral corticosteroids. Yet, ED visits for asthma are frequent and often occur several days after onset of increased symptoms, particularly for children from low-income, urban neighborhoods. OBJECTIVES: To describe home use of albuterol and identify factors associated with appropriate albuterol use... CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers reported that they would use albuterol to treat their child's worsening asthma symptoms, but many described inappropriate use. Detailed evaluation of proper albuterol use at home may provide insight into how health care professionals can better educate and support parents in their management of acute exacerbations and more effective use of AAPs.

The effects of nebulized albuterol on esophageal function in asthmatic patients. [2008.10]
CONCLUSIONS: Nebulized albuterol induces a dose-dependent reduction in LES basal pressure in asthmatic patients. These effects raise the possibility that gastroesophageal reflux may occur after bronchodilator therapy.

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Clinical Trials Related to Albuterol

Safety and Tolerability Study of Levalbuterol HFA and Racemic Albuterol HFA in Pediatrics Subjects With Asthma [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and tolerability of levalbuterol HFA metered dose inhaler (MDI) versus racemic albuterol HFA MDI in pediatric subjects 4-11 years of age with asthma

Controlled, 12-Week Study of Albuterol HFA Versus the Active Control, Proventil(R)-HFA in Asthmatic Patients [Active, not recruiting]
This 12-week clinical study evaluates the safety and efficacy of Albuterol Sulfate HFA Inhalation Aerosol (Albuterol-HFA, or: A004), Armstrong's proposed HFA formulation of metered dose inhaler (MDI) of Albuterol (Treatment T), in comparison with:

1. Placebo control: (HFA propellant only, Treatment P); and

2. Active control: 3M/Key's Proventil-HFA (Treatment R).

The treatments will be given as self-administered oral inhalations in adult and adolescent patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, for 12-weeks. Dosing regimen throughout the 12-week study is two actuations four times daily (QID).

Study of Levalbuterol and Racemic Albuterol in Pediatric Subjects With Reactive Airways Disease (RAD) [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of two dose levels of levalbuterol compared with one dose level of racemic albuterol in pediatric subjects aged birth to 48 months old.

Chronic-Dose Safety and Efficacy Study of Albuterol-HFA-MDI In Pediatric Asthmatics [Active, not recruiting]

Safety and Tolerability Study of Levalbuterol HFA Compared to Racemic Albuterol HFA in Subjects With Asthma [Completed]

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Albuterol review by 25 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		asthma
Dosage & duration:		2 puffs pid (dosage frequency: when necessary and before exercise) for the period of years and years
Other conditions:		environmental allergies
Other drugs taken:		allegra
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I could breathe, and if I took it before exercise, I wouldn't need it during.
Side effects:		none noticed
Comments:		I have been taking albuterol for years. I take it when I feel tight in my chest as well as before exercising. I rarely use it, whereas I used to nee dit almost every day. Now... once every month or two, unless I'm exercising.

Albuterol review by 42 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		asthma
Dosage & duration:		one inhalation (dosage frequency: as needed) for the period of over 20 years
Other conditions:		allergies
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Having had asthma since I was a child, I have been using various medications for a long time. Thankfully I do not need to use albuterol daily, as I know some people do, but I use it as needed when I am experiencing an asthma attach. This happens on average once a month, less in warmer months, more during the winder. As far as being effective albuterol, and the name brand inhaler is the best, and to my knowledge, still the only small inhaler that really works. I'm sure it has saved lives. With one inhalation I am able to breath again within minutes, this is even if I am having a bad attack, and am really strugling. So it is very effective
Side effects:		But, when I use albuterol I experience mild chest pains afterward. Not immediately, but typically later that day or the next. They don't last long, just a sharp pain or two, but it does occur fairly often. In my case, since I don't use albuterol regularly, it's well worth it.
Comments:		Inhalation, pump spray

Albuterol review by 58 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Marginally Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		chronic bronch/asthma
Dosage & duration:		take two puffs as needed (dosage frequency: 30 day supply) for the period of about one week
Other conditions:		high blood pressure
Other drugs taken:		Advair, Singulair, Lisprinodril
		Reported Results
Benefits:		A little better than nothing.
Side effects:		None - it didn't really work. Always left gasping, although not as bad, never clears up the beginning of an attack.
Comments:		Had to go to Drs. office for a treatment and steroid pack. Requested another named inhaler. Got Pro-Air... Currently looking online to Canada to try and find the original Albuteral inhaler. With all of the factories, truck engines and exhaust, hairsprays, how much actual damage does an inhaler do, comparitively speaking???