Key takeaways

  • Albuterol inhaler is approved by the FDA to treat and help prevent bronchospasm in adults and children ages 4 years and older with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • The typical dose is two puffs once every 4 to 6 hours for bronchospasm, or two puffs 15 to 30 minutes before exercise to help prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.
  • The maximum dosage per day is 12 puffs. If you believe you’ve taken too much, call your healthcare professional or seek emergency care right away.

Albuterol is a generic drug prescribed to treat and help prevent certain breathing problems in adults and some children. Albuterol comes as an aerosol that you inhale. The dosage can vary depending on the condition the drug is being used to treat.

Albuterol inhaler is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses:

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of the albuterol inhaler, including its strength and how to take the medication. See this article for a comprehensive look at albuterol.

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

Albuterol is available as an aerosol that comes in a canister. You inhale the drug through a metered-dose inhaler. Albuterol metered aerosol is another term for this form of the drug.

One albuterol canister contains 8.5 grams (g) of the drug or 200 metered puffs. Each puff contains 90 micrograms (mcg) of albuterol, the active ingredient.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used 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. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage according to your condition and possibly other factors.

Dosage for bronchospasm caused by certain lung diseases

Doctors may prescribe an albuterol inhaler to treat and help prevent bronchospasm caused by certain lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD. A bronchospasm narrows the airways, which makes it difficult to breathe.

The albuterol inhaler dose for adults is usually two puffs. You can take a maximum of two puffs once every 4 to 6 hours.

Dosage for the prevention of bronchospasm caused by exercise

The albuterol inhaler is also approved to help prevent bronchospasm caused by exercise. In this case, the recommended dose for adults is two puffs, taken once, 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Can children use the albuterol inhaler?

Albuterol inhalers are also approved to treat and help prevent bronchospasm in children ages 4 years and older. The dosage for children is the same as the dosage for adults, described just above.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

You’ll inhale albuterol into your mouth and lungs through the metered-dose inhaler. The inhaler delivers one puff at a time. Be sure to inhale the number of puffs your doctor prescribes for your condition.

Before using your albuterol inhaler for the first time, you’ll need to prime (prepare) it. You’ll shake the inhaler and release three sprays into the air, away from your face. You’ll also need to prime your inhaler if you haven’t used it in more than 2 weeks.

If you have questions about how to use your albuterol inhaler, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to these step-by-step instructions in the “Instructions for Use” section of the drug’s prescribing information.

A step-by-step guide to using the albuterol inhaler

  1. Before each inhalation, shake the inhaler well.
  2. Sit or stand up straight and tilt your head back slightly.
  3. Breathe out all the way, pushing as much air from your lungs as you can away from the mouthpiece.
  4. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and close your lips tightly around it.
  5. Press down on the top of the canister once, then begin breathing in slowly and deeply through your mouth for 3 to 5 seconds.
  6. Hold your breath for as long as you can, for up to 10 seconds.
  7. Breathe out slowly.
  8. Wait 1 minute if your doctor prescribed a second puff, then shake and repeat the steps.

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It’s important that you don’t take more albuterol inhaler than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of overuse

Overuse effects can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of albuterol

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much albuterol inhaler. 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 the albuterol inhaler’s dosage.

An albuterol inhaler is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that albuterol is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

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

For bronchospasms caused by certain lung conditions, the maximum recommended dosage is two inhalations (180 mcg) once every 4 to 6 hours. This means you may take up to 12 inhalations (puffs) per day if your doctor recommends it.

To prevent bronchospasm triggered by exercise, the maximum dosage is two inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.

Your doctor can provide more information about the maximum daily dosage for your condition. It’s important to use the albuterol inhaler exactly as your doctor prescribes. Taking more inhalations or using the inhaler more frequently than prescribed can increase your risk of albuterol side effects and overdose.

If you have questions about your albuterol inhaler dosage, talk with your doctor.

Albuterol starts working within 5 to 15 minutes after taking an inhalation. The effects may last up to 6 hours.

If the albuterol inhaler isn’t relieving your symptoms, talk with your doctor right away. They can review your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan that meets your needs.

If you’ve been prescribed an albuterol inhaler, it’s important to take it exactly as your doctor prescribes. This is typically one or two puffs every 4 to 6 hours, or you can take a puff 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.

Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current drug information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.