Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide) is a brand-name drug prescribed for asthma in adults. Airsupra comes as an inhaler that’s typically taken as needed to help manage asthma symptoms. The dosage can vary depending on certain factors.

Airsupra is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help manage asthma in adults. Specifically, this drug is prescribed to:

Airsupra contains two active drugs: albuterol and budesonide. Albuterol belongs to a drug class called beta-agonists. Budesonide belongs to a drug class called corticosteroids. Airsupra is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Airsupra, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Airsupra, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Airsupra provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Airsupra, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Airsupra’s form, strength, and dosages.

Airsupra form

Airsupra comes as an aerosol in a metered-dose inhaler. This drug is also known as a rescue inhaler.

Airsupra strength

Airsupra comes in one strength. Each inhalation or “puff” of Airsupra contains 90 micrograms (mcg) of albuterol and 80 mcg of budesonide. An inhaler contains 120 puffs.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for asthma

Doctors may prescribe Airsupra to help manage symptoms of asthma. You’ll only use Airsupra as needed to help manage your symptoms.

If your doctor prescribes Airsupra, your starting dose will likely be two puffs (180 mcg albuterol/160 mcg budesonide) as needed for your asthma symptoms.

You can use Airsupra at any time of day to help manage your asthma symptoms. For this reason, there’s no recommended daily dosage for this drug. However, you should not take more than six doses (12 puffs) of Airsupra in a 24-hour period.

If you’re interested in taking an asthma medication with a more routine dosing schedule, talk with your doctor.

Long-term treatment

Airsupra is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Airsupra is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Before you start taking Airsupra, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

Airsupra comes as an aerosol in a metered-dose inhaler. You’ll take your dose of Airsupra by inhaling the medication into your mouth and lungs.

Before using Airsupra for the first time, you’ll need to prime the inhaler. You can do this by spraying the inhaler four times into the air, away from your face. It’s important to shake the device well before each spray.

You should also prime your inhaler if you haven’t used it in the last 7 days. In this case, you’ll only need to spray the inhaler twice.

To use your inhaler:

  1. Exhale fully, then place the mouthpiece in your mouth.
  2. Inhale deeply while spraying one puff into your mouth.
  3. Try to hold your breath for as long as you can, up to 10 seconds.
  4. Repeat this process for the second puff.

After using Airsupra, be sure to rinse your mouth with water. Do not swallow the water. Rinsing your mouth can help prevent a side effect of this medication called oral thrush.

It’s important that you do not use more than six doses (12 puffs) of Airsupra in 24 hours.

If you have questions about how to use Airsupra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For step-by-step instructions on how to use Airsupra, see the prescribing information.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

It’s important that you do not use more Airsupra than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Symptoms of an overdose

Airsupra contains two active drugs: albuterol and budesonide. An overdose of Airsupra may cause overdose symptoms of one or both of these drugs.

Overdose symptoms of albuterol can include:

If taken excessively over time, budesonide can cause hypercortisolism (high cortisol levels). Symptoms may include:

For more information about possible side effects of albuterol, including overdose symptoms, see this article. To learn more about possible side effects of budesonide, read this article on Pulmicort’s side effects. (Pulmicort is the brand-name version of inhaled budesonide.)

If you take more than the recommended amount of Airsupra

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Airsupra. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Airsupra.

How long does it take for Airsupra to start working?

Airsupra starts to work within a few minutes after taking your dose. It should be used when you have symptoms of bronchoconstriction (tightening of the airways). As such, it’s expected to work quickly.

If you’re unsure about when to use Airsupra to help manage your asthma symptoms, talk with your doctor.

What is the recommended maximum dosage of Airsupra?

The maximum recommended dosage of Airsupra is six doses (12 puffs) in a 24-hour period. Airsupra is a rescue inhaler. As such, you should only use Airsupra as needed to help manage asthma symptoms. This medication should not be used on a regular basis to prevent asthma symptoms.

In clinical trials, there were no additional benefits seen with more than six doses per day. In fact, it’s possible to experience serious side effects from taking too much of this medication. For details about possible overdose symptoms with this drug, see the “Airsupra and overdose” section above.

If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Airsupra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If it seems like you’re using Airsupra frequently to help manage your symptoms of asthma, talk with your doctor. They may recommend taking another medication to help prevent your asthma symptoms.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Airsupra for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Airsupra without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Airsupra that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Airsupra. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.