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]
GSK will cap their inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured no later than Jan. 1, 2025. Watch this page for more information on the coming price cap.
[43]Albuterol/Budesonide – Airsupra [44]
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 [45]
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Cough
Hoarseness
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use (PDF) [46]
Patient Information (PDF) [47]
As of June 1, 2024, AstraZeneca has capped inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured. Here are ways you may be able to save on this medicine:
- Commercially insured and covered: You can pay as little as $0 for AIRSUPRA and BREZTRI and pay no more than $35 for SYMBICORT and BEVESPI using the savings cards provided on brand websites.
- Commercially insured but AstraZeneca inhaler is not covered in your plan: You or your health care providers can request a prior authorization or ask your doctor about a therapeutic alternative.
- Uninsured: if eligible, you can use the $35 uninsured savings card accessible on the US Patient Support [52] site.
- Government insured (Medicare/Medicaid): Federal law prohibits people on government programs from using a savings card, which is why they may be directed to AZ&Me [53]. Qualifications for AZ&Me [53] are based on where you live, insurance status, and income.
- For additional questions or more information, visit AstraZeneca’s patient support site [52] or call: 1-800-236-9933
[54]References
Medical Review [55] August 2018.
[56]
[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.
