How Long Does Albuterol Take to Work? Plus, 5 More Tips for Maximizing Your Rescue Inhaler

Have you ever felt the suffocating grip of an asthma attack? When every breath feels like a battle, relief can’t come fast enough. Or maybe you’re living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and every breath feels like trying to breathe through a straw. 

These symptoms can be uncomfortable and sometimes scary. Enter albuterol (ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA), a handy, go-to tool for quick relief. 

Albuterol comes in several formulations, including in metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Oral tablets and a liquid solution you breathe through a nebulizer are also available. The medication works by relaxing muscles in your lungs to open up your airways. But just how fast does albuterol start to work?

Below, we’ll answer this and cover five more pharmacist-backed tips to help maximize the benefits of your albuterol prescription.

1. It doesn’t take too long for albuterol to work

For most people, inhaled forms of albuterol start working within a few minutes. This is compared to about 30 minutes for the oral form of the medication.

These onset times are relatively quick, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always breathe better right away. The severity of your symptoms can determine how quickly you feel better. If your symptoms are serious, for example, you might not see improvement within a few minutes after using an inhaled form. And you may require more doses.

How you prepare and use your inhaler or nebulizer can make a difference in its effectiveness, too. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to your pharmacist about how to use your albuterol inhaler or nebulizer. They can provide tips for setting up the device and using proper inhalation techniques.

However, if albuterol doesn’t help like it used to, or if your asthma or COPD worsens, make sure to tell your prescriber. They can help you find a maintenance medication (for asthma or COPD) to manage your symptoms better.

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2. Albuterol comes in several different devices

As mentioned, albuterol comes in several dosage forms. Here are a few device-specific pointers.

Metered-dose inhalers

Albuterol MDIs — such as ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, and Ventolin HFA — all contain liquid medication. The inhaler device turns the liquid into a breathable mist.

You may see the abbreviation HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) on the packaging of an albuterol MDI. HFA is the propellant that helps deliver the medication into the lungs as a fine mist.

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Because of this propellant system, you have to inhale while you press down to release the medication. These types of inhalers can be difficult to use because they require some coordination. Fortunately, spacer devices make it easier to use MDI inhalers. Spacers give you extra time to breathe in the medication, so you don’t have to worry about timing it perfectly.

Dry powder inhalers

ProAir Digihaler, ProAir RespiClick, and other DPIs are easier to use than MDIs for some people. DPIs don’t use a propellant to get the medication into your lungs. Once the device is set up and you’re ready, you inhale a deep, fast breath of the powder into your lungs. 

At the same time, the need to inhale a deep breath can be a problem with DPIs. People experiencing an asthma attack or COPD flare might not be able to take a big breath in.

Albuterol inhalation solution 

Albuterol inhalers generally shouldn’t be used by children under the age of 4, because they can be difficult. As an alternative, albuterol liquid, given in a nebulizer, can be a good choice for young children or people who have trouble using inhalers. A nebulizer machine changes the liquid into a fine mist that’s inhaled into the lungs.

Keep in mind: Nebulizers are typically more expensive and less convenient than inhalers. They’re also larger, need electrical power, and have longer treatment times compared to portable inhalers.

Albuterol oral tablets

Albuterol oral tablets are another option for children and other people who have trouble using inhalers. But oral albuterol tablets take longer to work than inhaled albuterol. This is because they need to be absorbed into the bloodstream before reaching the lungs to help you breathe better.

The choice between inhalers, oral tablets, and nebulizer solutions should be a shared decision between you and your healthcare professional. This decision should take into account your age, insurance status, and personal preferences.

3. Try not to use albuterol too often

Excessive use of albuterol may be a sign that your asthma or COPD is poorly managed. When symptoms of asthma are well controlled, albuterol typically only needs to be used occasionally to relieve breathing symptoms (or to provide pre-exercise support). The typical albuterol dosage is two inhalations by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Using it more frequently than prescribed can lead to an increased risk of side effects, which we discuss later on.

If you’re struggling to manage your breathing symptoms, talk with your healthcare professional right away. They can evaluate your lung function and make appropriate treatment changes if needed. Albuterol is just one of the many asthma and COPD medications available.

4. Regular cleanings help keep inhalers and nebulizers working as they should

It’s important to clean your inhalers or nebulizers regularly to remove any buildup of medication residue. This helps prevent clogs inside the device and keeps them working properly, so you get your full dose. Regular cleanings also help prevent bacteria and mold from growing and spreading to the medication inside.

Keep in mind: As a general rule, it’s recommended to clean your inhaler after every 7 to 14 uses to prevent contamination and ensure it works properly.

Metered-dose inhalers

MDIs can be taken apart and cleaned. Run the plastic inhaler device under warm water for at least 30 seconds. (Don’t use soap when cleaning your inhaler.) After that, let it air dry completely before replacing the cartridge and cap. It’s important that you don’t expose the medication cartridge to water.

Dry powder inhalers

DPIs can’t be taken apart and cleaned in the same way that MDIs can. That means you shouldn’t use water to clean a DPI. Moisture can cause the powder inside to clump together and cause the inhaler not to work correctly. Instead, use a dry or damp (not wet) cloth to wipe the mouthpiece. Then, allow the inhaler to air dry completely before using it again.

Nebulizers

Like MDIs, nebulizers can be taken apart and cleaned. Rinse the nebulizer cup, mouthpiece, and face mask with water after each use. Then, dry the parts with a paper towel. Your healthcare professional may advise you to occasionally perform a deeper cleaning or soak using dishwashing soap or a vinegar solution. Make sure to follow their directions if so.

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Remember: The cleaning instructions for different types of MDIs, DPIs, and nebulizers are slightly different. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for your device and ask your pharmacist for help if you have questions.

5. Keep an eye out for these albuterol side effects

Albuterol is generally well tolerated. But it can cause side effects. Many of the common side effects typically go away over time. Other side effects can be more serious and should be discussed with your healthcare provider right away.

The most common albuterol side effects include:

• Tremors

• Nervousness

• Headache

• Fast heart rate

• Throat irritation

Although rare, the following side effects are serious and should be reported to your healthcare professional immediately:  

• Worsening asthma or COPD symptoms

• Chest tightness

• Wheezing

• Elevated blood pressure

Seek emergency treatment if you experience allergic reactions (hives, rash, or itching), swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or trouble breathing.

6. Albuterol is different from levalbuterol

Albuterol and levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) work similarly to open up the airways in the lungs. They both start working within a few minutes and are effective options for managing breathing issues.

The difference between the two is their chemical structure. Albuterol contains a mixture of the active and inactive forms of the medication, while levalbuterol contains only the active form. Despite this difference, they have similar rates of side effects, and one medication isn’t widely considered better than the other. 

However, in many cases, albuterol is a preferred choice due to cost and familiarity. Most insurance plans prefer to cover albuterol over levalbuterol.

How to save on albuterol

There are ways to save on albuterol, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication:

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx may be able to help you save over 75% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic albuterol HFA’s price at certain pharmacies may be as low as $28.23 with a free GoodRx coupon.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for one of albuterol’s patient assistance programs, which offer the medication free of charge.

You may qualify for other savings opportunities, too. For instance, ProAir Digihaler’s manufacturer offers a free trial voucher for new users. Ask your pharmacist about ways to save money on albuterol.

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Written by:

Nikki Javit, PharmD

Nikki Javit, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist with certifications in international travel medicine, immunization delivery, and pharmacogenomics. She received her bachelor’s of science in biology from Indiana University Bloomington and her doctor of pharmacy degree from Butler University.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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