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.

See all Albuterol indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Albuterol

Active albuterol or placebo, sham acupuncture, or no intervention in asthma. [2011.07.14]
BACKGROUND: In prospective experimental studies in patients with asthma, it is difficult to determine whether responses to placebo differ from the natural course of physiological changes that occur without any intervention. We compared the effects of a bronchodilator, two placebo interventions, and no intervention on outcomes in patients with asthma... CONCLUSIONS: Although albuterol, but not the two placebo interventions, improved FEV(1) in these patients with asthma, albuterol provided no incremental benefit with respect to the self-reported outcomes. Placebo effects can be clinically meaningful and can rival the effects of active medication in patients with asthma. However, from a clinical-management and research-design perspective, patient self-reports can be unreliable. An assessment of untreated responses in asthma may be essential in evaluating patient-reported outcomes. (Funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.).

Comparative efficacy of inhaled albuterol between two hand-held delivery devices in horses with recurrent airway obstruction. [2011.07]
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Studies investigating the clinical efficacy of albuterol administered with the same propellant and commercially available delivery devices in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) are not currently available. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of aerosolised albuterol administered to horses with RAO by means of 2 commercially available, hand-held delivery devices... CONCLUSIONS: Aerosolised albuterol is an effective bronchodilator in horses with recurrent airway obstruction. There is no statistically significant difference between the 2 commercially available aerosol delivery devices in terms of efficacy. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Aerosolised albuterol is effectively delivered using currently available devices leading to maximal bronchodilation in horses with RAO at an average dose of 540 microg. (c) 2011 EVJ Ltd.

Efficacy of racemic albuterol versus levalbuterol used as a continuous nebulization for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. [2011.03]
OBJECTIVE: To compare racemic albuterol (RAC) with levalbuterol (LEV) in continuous form for the treatment of acute pediatric asthma exacerbations in the emergency department... CONCLUSIONS: At the doses used, RAC appears to be superior to LEV with respect to changes in FEV1 and asthma score. There was no significant difference between the drugs with respect to admission rates or side-effect profile.

Active albuterol or placebo, sham acupuncture, or no intervention in asthma. [2011]
on outcomes in patients with asthma... CONCLUSIONS: Although albuterol, but not the two placebo interventions, improved

Efficacy of racemic albuterol versus levalbuterol used as a continuous nebulization for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. [2011]
emergency department... CONCLUSIONS: At the doses used, RAC appears to be superior to LEV with respect to

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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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Reports of Suspected Albuterol Side Effects

Hallucination (57),  Dyspnoea (54),  Drug Ineffective (33),  Asthma (24),  Malaise (23),  Pneumonia (22),  Maternal Exposure During Pregnancy (16),  Memory Impairment (16),  Headache (14),  Loss of Consciousness (14), more >>

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 47 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Extremely Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Astham
Dosage & duration:		1 Puff (dosage frequency: once a day) for the period of over several days
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		None
		Reported Results
Benefits:		There were no treatment benefits, only side effects.Albuterol HFA made it so difficult for me to breathe, I had to use the discontunued albuterol (in the light blue dispenser)to recover. I'm very worried I won't survive the change.
Side effects:		Albuterol HFA made it so difficult for me to breathe, I had to use the discontunued albuterol (in the light blue dispenser)to recover. I'm very worried I won't survive the change.
Comments:		Prescribed as needed up to for times a day.