Asthma
Asthma Medicines
There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled with the right treatment plan. Your treatment plan will include avoiding asthma triggers [3] and taking certain medicines [2].
Learn more about asthma treatments and management basics in our FREE self-paced online course for people with asthma [4].
Notes: “Flu” is listed as a side effect for some medicines. But these medicines do NOT cause the flu. The flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. [5] “Flu” may be listed as a side effect because it was reported as one during a drug’s clinical trials, and the FDA requires that it be listed as it was reported. But it may mean “flu-like symptoms” or “respiratory infections.” It is very important that you take your prescribed medicines as directed and get a flu shot every year. If you have any questions about side effects, talk to your health care provider.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America does not endorse a particular medicine or product.
Albuterol Sulfate – AccuNeb [12]
Albuterol Sulfate – AccuNeb
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: AccuNeb®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonists
Form: Nebulizer Solution
Prescribing Info: viatris.com [13]
Possible Side Effects:
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Chest pain
Shakiness
Nervousness
Notes/Resources:
How to Correctly Use Your Asthma Devices [14] – See Nebulizer Instructions
[15]Albuterol Sulfate – Generic [16]
Albuterol Sulfate – Generic
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: ciplaalbuterolhfa.com [17]
Possible Side Effects:
Sore throat
Upper respiratory tract infection, including viral infection
Cough
Muscle pain
Heart pounding/racing/fluttering (palpitations)
Chest pain
Fast heart rate
Shakiness
Nervousness
Dizziness
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use [18]
[19]Albuterol Sulfate – Generic [20]
Albuterol Sulfate – Generic
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: http://www.proventilhfa.com/ [21]
Possible Side Effects:
Tremor
Nervousness
Fast heartrate
Chest pain
Heart pounding/racing/fluttering (palpitations)
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use [18]
[22]Albuterol Sulfate – Generic [23]
Albuterol Sulfate – Generic
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Nebulizer solution
Prescribing Info: viatris.com [13]
Possible Side Effects:
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Nervousness
Chest pain
Shakiness
Notes/Resources:
How to Correctly Use Your Asthma Devices [14] – See Nebulizer Instructions
Albuterol Sulfate – ProAir Digihaler [25]
Albuterol Sulfate – ProAir Digihaler
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: ProAir® Digihaler®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: digihaler.com [27]
Possible Side Effects:
Back, body, or chest pain
Upset stomach or vomiting
Headache
Dizziness
Sinus headache
Sore throat
Runny nose
Heart pounding/racing (palpitations)
Fast heart rate
Shakiness
Nervousness
Urinary tract infection
*Do not use if you have a milk allergy
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use [28]
[29]Albuterol Sulfate – ProAir HFA [30]
Albuterol Sulfate – ProAir HFA
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: ProAir® HFA
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: http://www.proairhfa.com/ [31]
Possible Side Effects:
Chest pain
Headache
Fast heartrate
Shakiness
Dizziness
Sort throat
Runny nose
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use [32]
[33]Albuterol Sulfate – ProAir RespiClick [34]
Albuterol Sulfate – ProAir RespiClick
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: ProAir® RespiClick®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://proair.com/respiclick [35]
Possible Side Effects:
Back, body, or chest pain
Upset stomach or vomiting
Headache
Dizziness
Sinus headache
Sore throat
Runny nose
Heart pounding/racing (palpitations)
Fast heart rate
Shakiness
Nervousness
Urinary tract infection
*Do not use if you have a milk allergy
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use [36]
[37]Albuterol Sulfate – Proventil HFA [38]
Albuterol Sulfate – Proventil HFA
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: Proventil® HFA
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: http://www.proventilhfa.com/ [21]
Possible Side Effects:
Tremor
Nervousness
Fast heartrate
Chest pain
Heart pounding/racing/fluttering (palpitations)
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use [39]
[22]Albuterol Sulfate – Ventolin HFA [40]
Albuterol Sulfate – Ventolin HFA
Drug Name: Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: Ventolin® HFA
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: http://www.ventolin.com/ [41]
Possible Side Effects:
Sore throat
Upper respiratory tract infection, including viral infection
Cough
Muscle pain
Heart pounding/racing/fluttering (palpitations)
Chest pain
Fast heart rate
Shakiness
Nervousness
Dizziness
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use [42]
Copay Assistance Programs
If you have commercial insurance: You may be eligible for the GSK Copay Assistance Program [43].
If you have Medicare or no insurance: You may qualify for the GSK Patient Assistance Program [44]. This program can help you receive certain GSK prescription medicines and vaccines at no cost.
For more information, visit GSK Patient Assistance Program & Savings Offers [45] or call 888-825-5249.
GSK has capped the cost of their inhalers to $35 if you have commercial or private insurance. Learn more about the price cap. [46]
[47]Albuterol/Budesonide – Airsupra [48]
Albuterol/Budesonide – Airsupra
Drug Name: Albuterol/Budesonide
Brand Name: AIRSUPRA™
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine
Form: Pressurized metered-dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: Airsupra.com [49]
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Cough
Hoarseness
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use (PDF) [50]
Patient Information (PDF) [51]
Recall Alert
Certain lots of Airsupra have been recalled for a defective delivery system. Learn more [52]
Copay Assistance Programs
If you have commercial insurance: If you have employer-provided or individual private (commercial) insurance, you may be able to get AIRSUPRA for as low as $0 with the SUPRA Savings Card [53].
If you have government insurance: For people with Medicare Part D coverage, the average out-of-pocket cost is $89 per month. For people with Medicaid, the out-of-pocket costs range from $.99-$13 per month. Some states offer even lower copays or eliminate the copay altogether. If you have Medicare Part D and cannot afford AIRSUPRA, you may be eligible for the patient assistance program, AZ&Me [54].
If you have no insurance: If you do not have health insurance or your insurance does not cover AIRSUPRA, you will pay the amount determined by your pharmacy. You may also be eligible for the patient assistance program, AZ&Me [54].
Learn more on the Cost Assistance with AIRSUPRA [55] website or call 866-480-0030.
[56]References
Medical Review [57] August 2018.
[58]
[4]
Knowing how to manage asthma is important for better health and quality of life. We offer an online course called ASTHMA Care for Adults [4]. This comprehensive program covers a full range of topics everyone with asthma needs to know. This self-paced online course is presented in different formats, such as videos, animations, handouts and more.
