proventil-hfa
Proventil-Hfa (Albuterol Sulfate) is a beta2-adrenergic agonist used to treat Asthma, Bronchial Spasm.
Albuterol Sulfate · by Kindeva
Available as a generic: Albuterol Sulfate
⚠ FDA reports a current shortage of the solution form (available) — see drug shortages →Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Albuterol Sulfate
- Drug class
- Beta2-Adrenergic Agonist
- Form
- Spray/Inhaler, metered
- Strength
- Albuterol Sulfate EQ 0.09MG BASE/INH
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- asthma, bronchial spasm
- Manufacturer
- Kindeva
- Half-life
- about 5 to 6 hours (how long it stays in your system)
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$11.12 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA020503
What is Proventil-Hfa?
From the FDA label:The active component of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol is albuterol sulfate, USP racemic α 1 [( tert- Butylamino)methyl]-4-hydroxy- m -xylene-α,α'-diol sulfate (2:1)(salt), a relatively selective beta 2 -adrenergic bronchodilator having the following chemical structure: Albuterol sulfate is the official generic name in the United States. The World Health Organization recommended name for the drug is salbutamol sulfate. The molecular weight of albuterol sulfate is 576.7, and the empirical formula is (C 13 H 21 NO 3 ) 2 •H 2 SO 4 . Albuterol sulfate is a white to off-white crystalline solid. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol is a pressurized metered-dose aerosol unit for oral inhalation. It contains a microcrystalline suspension of albuterol sulfate in propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), ethanol, and oleic acid. Each actuation delivers 120 mcg albuterol sulfate, USP from the valve and 108 mcg albuterol sulfate, USP from the mouthpiece (equivalent to 90 mcg of albuterol base from the mouthpiece). Each canister provides 200 inhalations. It is recommended to prime the inhaler before using for the first time and in cases where the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks by releasing four “test sprays” into the air, away from the face. This product does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the…
How to use
For treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm or prevention of asthmatic symptoms, the usual dosage for adults and children 4 years of age and older is two inhalations repeated every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a larger number of inhalations is not recommended. In some patients, one inhalation every 4 hours may be sufficient. Each actuation of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol delivers 108 mcg of albuterol sulfate (equivalent to 90 mcg of albuterol base) from the mouthpiece. It is recommended to prime the inhaler before using for the first time and in cases where the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks by releasing four “test sprays” into the air, away from the face. Exercise Induced Bronchospasm Prevention: The usual dosage for adults and children 4 years of age and older is two inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. To maintain proper use of this product, it is important that the mouthpiece be washed and dried thoroughly at least once a week. The inhaler may cease to deliver medication if not properly cleaned and dried thoroughly (see PRECAUTIONS, Information for Patients section). Keeping the plastic mouthpiece clean is very important to prevent medication buildup and blockage. The inhaler may cease to deliver medication if not properly cleaned and air dried thoroughly. If the mouthpiece becomes blocked, washing the mouthpiece will…
Side effects
Adverse reaction information concerning Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol is derived from a 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy study which compared Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, a CFC 11/12 propelled albuterol inhaler, and an HFA-134a placebo inhaler in 565 asthmatic patients. The following table lists the incidence of all adverse events (whether considered by the investigator drug related or unrelated to drug) from this study which occurred at a rate of 3% or greater in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol treatment group and more frequently in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol treatment group than in the placebo group. Overall, the incidence and nature of the adverse reactions reported for Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol and a CFC 11/12 propelled albuterol inhaler were comparable. Adverse Experience Incidences (% of patients) in a Large 12-week Clinical Trial* *This table includes all adverse events (whether considered by the investigator drug related or unrelated to drug) which occurred at an incidence rate of at least 3% in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol group and more frequently in the Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol group than in the HFA-134a placebo inhaler group. Body System/ Adverse Event (Preferred Term) Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol (N=193) CFC 11/12 Propelled Albuterol Inhaler (N=186) HFA-134a Placebo Inhaler…
Warnings
Important safety information
1. Paradoxical Bronchospasm: Inhaled albuterol sulfate can produce paradoxical bronchospasm that may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted. It should be recognized that paradoxical bronchospasm, when associated with inhaled formulations, frequently occurs with the first use of a new canister. 2. Deterioration of Asthma: Asthma may deteriorate acutely over a period of hours or chronically over several days or longer. If the patient needs more doses of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol than usual, this may be a marker of destabilization of asthma and requires re-evaluation of the patient and treatment regimen, giving special consideration to the possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids. 3. Use of Anti-inflammatory Agents: The use of beta-adrenergic-agonist bronchodilators alone may not be adequate to control asthma in many patients. Early consideration should be given to adding anti-inflammatory agents, e.g., corticosteroids, to the therapeutic regimen. Cardiovascular Effects: Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, like other beta-adrenergic agonists, can produce clinically significant cardiovascular effects in some patients as measured by pulse rate, blood pressure, and/or symptoms. Although such effects are uncommon after administration of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol at recommended doses, if they occur, the drug may need to be discontinued. In addition, beta-agonists have been reported to produce ECG changes, such as flattening of the T wave, prolongation of the QTc interval, and ST segment depression. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. Therefore, Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, like all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. 4. Do Not Exceed Recommended Dose: Fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs in patients with asthma. The exact cause of death is unknown, but cardiac arrest following an unexpected development of a severe acute asthmatic crisis and subsequent hypoxia is suspected. 5. Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of albuterol sulfate, as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema.
Who should not take Proventil-Hfa
Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to albuterol or any other Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol components.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
The expected symptoms with overdosage are those of excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or occurrence or exaggeration of any of the symptoms listed under ADVERSE REACTIONS , e.g., seizures, angina, hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia with rates up to 200 beats per minute, arrhythmias, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, palpitation, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, and insomnia. Hypokalemia may also occur. As with all sympathomimetic medications, cardiac arrest and even death may be associated with abuse of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol. Treatment consists of discontinuation of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol together with appropriate symptomatic therapy. The judicious use of a cardioselective beta-receptor blocker may be considered, bearing in mind that such medication can produce bronchospasm. There is insufficient evidence to determine if dialysis is beneficial for overdosage of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol. The oral median lethal dose of albuterol sulfate in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg (approximately 6800 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for adults on a mg/m 2 basis and approximately 3200 times the maximum recommended daily inhalation dose for children on a mg/m 2 basis). In mature rats, the subcutaneous median lethal dose of albuterol sulfate is approximately 450 mg/kg (approximately 3000 times the maximum…
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
1. Beta-Blockers: Beta-adrenergic-receptor blocking agents not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, but may produce severe bronchospasm in asthmatic patients. Therefore, patients with asthma should not normally be treated with beta-blockers. However, under certain circumstances, e.g., as prophylaxis after myocardial infarction, there may be no acceptable alternatives to the use of beta-adrenergic blocking agents in patients with asthma. In this setting, cardioselective beta-blockers should be considered, although they should be administered with caution. 2. Diuretics: The ECG changes and/or hypokalemia which may result from the administration of nonpotassium-sparing diuretics (such as loop or thiazide diuretics) can be acutely worsened by beta-agonists, especially when the recommended dose of the beta-agonist is exceeded. Although the clinical significance of these effects is not known, caution is advised in the coadministration of beta-agonists with nonpotassium-sparing diuretics. 3. Albuterol-Digoxin: Mean decreases of 16% and 22% in serum digoxin levels were demonstrated after single-dose intravenous and oral administration of albuterol, respectively, to normal volunteers who had received digoxin for 10 days. The clinical significance of these findings for patients with obstructive airway disease who are receiving albuterol and digoxin on a chronic basis is unclear; nevertheless, it would be prudent to carefully evaluate the serum digoxin levels in patients who are currently receiving digoxin and albuterol. 4. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or Tricyclic Antidepressants: Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol should be administered with extreme caution to patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of such agents, because the action of albuterol on the cardiovascular system may be potentiated.
How long does Albuterol Sulfate stay in your body?
The elimination half-life of albuterol sulfate is about 5 to 6 hours — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. FDA labels give closely matching values by route: after an oral 4 mg tablet or syrup, albuterol "is eliminated with a half-life of about 5 hours"; after inhalation the terminal plasma half-life is roughly 4.6 to 6 hours. Half-life is not the same as how long the inhaler works — bronchodilation from a rescue inhaler fades in about 4 to 6 hours even though drug is still measurable. In children 4 to 11, the inhaled terminal half-life was shorter, about 166 minutes (2.8 hours). Kidney impairment: in 5 subjects with creatinine clearance 7 to 53 mL/min the label reports renal disease had NO effect on half-life, but albuterol clearance fell 67%, so systemic exposure rises and high doses warrant caution — most albuterol is cleared renally (80% to 100% of the dose as parent drug or its primary metabolite). Liver impairment and older adults: not studied, so no adjusted value exists. The label names no active metabolite that outlasts the parent — albuterol is metabolized mainly by the sulfotransferase SULT1A3 to a sulfate conjugate the label treats as an elimination product, not an active drug. Extended-release oral albuterol tablets are no longer marketed in the US, so no current label states a different half-life for an ER form.
This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: DailyMed — Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, FDA prescribing information, Section 12 Clinical Pharmacology.
Drug class
How this class works, per Beta2-Agonists - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Proventil-Hfa ranks — best-rated beta2-adrenergic agonist for:
Dosage forms
Spray/Inhaler, metered
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Proventil-Hfa treat?
- Proventil-Hfa (Albuterol Sulfate) may be used to treat asthma, bronchial spasm, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Proventil-Hfa work?
- Proventil-Hfa is a beta2-adrenergic agonist. Beta2-adrenergic agonists bind to beta-2 receptors on the muscle that wraps the airways, triggering a signal (via cAMP) that relaxes that muscle. The airways widen, making it easier to breathe in conditions like asthma and COPD.
- How much does Proventil-Hfa cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $11.12 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Proventil-Hfa?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Proventil-Hfa. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Proventil-Hfa?
- Proventil-Hfa is marketed by Kindeva. You can see Kindeva's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Proventil-Hfa a brand-name or generic drug?
- Proventil-Hfa is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Albuterol Sulfate. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Albuterol Sulfate are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Proventil-Hfa available over the counter?
- No. Proventil-Hfa is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Proventil-Hfa come in?
- Proventil-Hfa is currently marketed as spray/inhaler, metered, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Proventil-Hfa?
- Proventil-Hfa is classified as beta2-adrenergic agonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Proventil-Hfa FDA-registered?
- Proventil-Hfa is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020503. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Proventil-Hfa safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Proventil-Hfa. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Proventil-Hfa?
- Proventil-Hfa's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Adverse reaction information concerning Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol is derived from a 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy study which compared Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, a CFC 11/12 propelled albuterol inhaler, and an HFA-134a placebo inhaler in 565 asthmatic patients.… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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