Albuterol Prescription Online

Albuterol Sulfate - Overview

Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) medication used in the treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Push Health can help people who need albuterol medication connect with a medical provider who can prescribe albuterol medication, including branded and generic MDI inhalers and nebulizers, when appropriate to do so.

What Is Albuterol Used For?

Albuterol prescription medication, available as a generic and also marketed under brand names such as ProAir HFA, Proventil and Ventolin, belongs to a class of drugs known as beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonists. Albuterol relaxes smooth muscle in the airways which results in dilation of the bronchial passages. Effects usually begin within minutes and last 3-6 hours.

Albuterol medication is typically administered via an inhaler (metered-dose inhaler or MDI), frequently with counters, or a nebulizer. Albuterol medication can be administered as an intravenous drug although it is not typically done as nebulized albuterol is effective and convenient to administer.

Albuterol is considered a rescue medication, not a daily controller. Frequent need for albuterol (e.g. more than twice a week for symptoms) often indicates that a reassessment is needed. Long term albuterol prescription medication use may not be suitable for every patient.

Can I Buy Albuterol Online?

Generic albuterol inhalers and branded versions require a prescription and albuterol over the counter (OTC) versions are not available. Through Push Health, people can request an albuterol inhaler prescription from a licensed medical provider and get an albuterol prescription when appropriate.

Albuterol - Dosage and Cost

Albuterol prescription medication is used to treat asthma and COPD. Typical adult albuterol inhaler dosing (subject to the judgment of a medical provider):

• Symptom relief: 1-2 puffs every 4-6 hours as needed
• EIB prevention: 2 puffs 15-30 minutes before exercise

Forms:

• Metered-dose inhaler (MDI / HFA) - portable and commonly used with outpatients
• Nebulizer solution - useful for anyone who has difficulty with using an inhaler

Generic albuterol HFA inhalers are generally affordable (often $25-60 or less with discount programs). Insurance, pharmacy coupons, and prescription savings cards may help lower the cost further. Albuterol requires a prescription and is not available over the counter in the United States.

Albuterol - Brand Differences

ProAir HFA utilizes the ingredient albuterol while Xopenex HFA features levalbuterol. Major differences include the dose in each actuation and reported side effects. Albuterol prescription inhalers are often used with ipratropium bromide (Atrovent HFA), a complementary asthma medication that is often administered at the same time to provide additional bronchodilation during an acute asthma exacerbation independently. Albuterol medication is also used in the combination medications Combivent and DuoNeb.

Is Albuterol A Steroid?

Some people wonder if albuterol is a steroid medication. While albuterol is sometimes given in conjunction with a steroid medication, albuterol sulfate itself is not a steroid. Instead, albuterol is a type of beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist. However, albuterol is often prescribed with other steroid medications such as prednisone or fluticasone (Arnuity Ellipta and Flonase).

Albuterol for COPD

Albuterol prescription medication is used in the management of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD represents a group of lung diseases - including emphysema and chronic bronchitis - that cause obstructed airflow and make breathing difficult over time. Common COPD symptoms include chronic cough, increased mucus production, shortness of breath during everyday activities, and wheezing. In COPD, albuterol works by relaxing the smooth muscle surrounding the bronchial passages, widening the airways and reducing airflow resistance. This provides relief from breathlessness and bronchospasm. Short-acting bronchodilators such as albuterol are recommended by guidelines for as-needed relief of COPD symptoms. Because albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator, its effects typically begin within minutes of inhalation and last three to six hours, making it well suited to on-demand use during symptomatic episodes.

Albuterol for Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction

In addition to its use as a rescue inhaler, albuterol medication is specifically indicated for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). This condition is characterized by a narrowing of the airways triggered by physical activity that can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath during or shortly after exercise. EIB is common among people with asthma but can also occur in people without a formal asthma diagnosis.

Symptoms often occur during activities involving cold or dry air such as outdoor running or winter sports. For prevention of exercise-induced symptoms, albuterol is typically taken as 2 inhalations approximately 15 to 30 minutes before physical activity. This pre-treatment approach allows the medication to take effect and keep the airways open before exertion begins. The protective effect of a pre-exercise albuterol dose typically lasts up to four hours.

Athletes and active individuals who experience EIB should discuss their symptoms and exercise routine with a medical provider as the appropriate dosing strategy can vary from person to person. Patients who have not been diagnosed with asthma but experience symptoms specifically during or after exercise may still benefit from an albuterol prescription for use before physical activity.

How to Get an Albuterol Prescription with Push Health

1. Complete a simple health form. Answer questions about your health history and whether you need a new albuterol prescription or a refill.
2. Connect with a licensed provider. A medical professional will review your information and connect with you to determine which albuterol medication might be right for you, including inhalers or nebulizers.
3. Get an albuterol prescription. When appropriate, an albuterol inhaler prescription will be routed to the pharmacy of your choice for pick up or delivery.
4. Get your inhaler or nebulizer solution. Generic albuterol HFA inhalers typically cost $25-60 at most pharmacies.

The entire process is private, secure, and designed to save you time and office visits. No health insurance or subscription is required.

Albuterol - Side Effects

Generic albuterol prescription medication and the branded version can both cause side effects but both types of albuterol medication are typically tolerated well. Common side effects that are sometimes experienced while using albuterol medication include a rapid heart rate, palpitations, tremulousness and stomach discomfort in addition to changes in skeletal muscle strength. Changes in muscle strength have also been reported with high dose albuterol prescription medication use. Patients using MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, and certain diuretics, should discuss the pros and cons of albuterol use with their medical provider. Anyone who has demonstrated hypersensitivity or an allergy to albuterol prescription medication should not use the medication. All questions and concerns that come up about using albuterol nebulizers or inhalers should be directed to one's pharmacist and licensed medical provider prior to use.

More Albuterol Information

• Albuterol - Medline