Ventolin HFA 90 mcg Inhaler: Fast-Acting Asthma Relief
| Product dosage: 2mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per pill | Price | Buy |
| 60 | $1.10 | $66.18 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $1.01 | $99.27 $91.25 (8%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 120 | $0.94 | $132.36 $112.31 (15%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 180 | $0.82 | $198.54 $148.40 (25%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 360 | $0.63
Best per pill | $397.08 $225.62 (43%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| Product dosage: 4mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per pill | Price | Buy |
| 30 | $1.57 | $47.13 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 60 | $1.39 | $94.26 $83.23 (12%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $1.20 | $141.39 $108.30 (23%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 120 | $1.00 | $188.51 $120.33 (36%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 180 | $0.92 | $282.77 $166.45 (41%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 270 | $0.81 | $424.16 $217.59 (49%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 360 | $0.74
Best per pill | $565.54 $264.72 (53%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Ventolin HFA (albuterol sulfate) 90 mcg Inhaler is a prescription metered-dose inhaler indicated for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in patients 4 years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease. It is also indicated for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm. This short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (SABA) works by relaxing the muscles in the airways, allowing for improved breathing within minutes. It is a cornerstone rescue medication in asthma management protocols and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Features
- Contains albuterol sulfate, a selective short-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist (SABA).
- Delivers 90 mcg of albuterol (from the valve) per inhalation.
- Metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a built-in dose counter for tracking remaining medication.
- Formulated with the propellant hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), which is non-CFC and ozone-safe.
- Each canister contains 200 inhalations.
- Requires patient priming before first use and if not used for an extended period.
Benefits
- Provides rapid relief from acute asthma symptoms and bronchospasm, often within minutes of inhalation.
- Helps prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) when used approximately 15-30 minutes prior to physical activity.
- Restores airway patency, improving airflow and making breathing easier during an attack.
- Portable and easy to use, allowing for quick administration of medication when and where it is needed.
- The integrated dose counter helps patients and caregivers monitor medication supply and avoid unexpected depletion.
- Serves as an essential component of an overall asthma action plan for managing breakthrough symptoms.
Common use
Ventolin HFA is primarily used as a rescue inhaler for the acute relief of bronchospasm. This includes sudden episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing associated with asthma. It is also commonly prescribed for prophylactic use to prevent bronchospasm triggered by exercise (exercise-induced bronchospasm). It is not intended for regular daily use to control chronic asthma; increasing use may signify deteriorating asthma control, which requires re-evaluation of the patient’s maintenance therapy regimen by a healthcare provider.
Dosage and direction
The dosage of Ventolin HFA should be individualized to the patient’s needs and severity of condition. It is crucial to prime the inhaler before first use or if it has not been used for more than 2 weeks by releasing 4 test sprays into the air away from the face.
- Treatment of Bronchospasm (ages 4 and older): The usual dose is 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
- Prevention of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (ages 4 and older): 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.
Patients must be instructed on proper inhaler technique to ensure effective delivery of the medication to the lungs. This includes shaking the canister well before each use, exhaling fully away from the mouthpiece, placing the mouthpiece between the lips, activating the canister while beginning a slow, deep inhalation, holding breath for 10 seconds if possible, and waiting at least 30-60 seconds before a second inhalation. The mouthpiece should be cleaned regularly to prevent medication buildup and blockage.
Precautions
- Ventolin HFA can produce paradoxical bronchospasm (life-threatening worsening of breathing) immediately after administration. If this occurs, treatment should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.
- Excessive use of adrenergic aerosols is potentially fatal. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
- Significant cardiovascular effects, including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate (tachycardia), palpitations, and ECG changes, have been reported. Use with extreme caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders (e.g., coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension).
- Use with caution in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus, and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines.
- Large doses of intravenous albuterol have been reported to aggravate preexisting diabetes and ketoacidosis.
- Potentially serious hypokalemia may result from beta2-agonist therapy, which may be potentiated by concomitant treatments (e.g., xanthine derivatives, steroids, diuretics). This effect is usually transient and may not require supplementation.
- Do not spray in the eyes.
Contraindications
Ventolin HFA is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to albuterol sulfate or any other component of the formulation (including the HFA propellant).
Possible side effect
Like all medicines, Ventolin HFA can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Common side effects may include:
- Headache
- Nervousness or tremor
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Palpitations
- Throat or nasal irritation
- Muscle cramps
- Cough
- Dizziness
Less common but more serious side effects require immediate medical attention:
- Paradoxical bronchospasm (worsened breathing)
- Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., hives, rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing)
- Significant increase in blood pressure
- Seizures
Drug interaction
Concomitant use of Ventolin HFA with other adrenergic drugs (e.g., other inhaled SABAs, epinephrine, decongestants) may lead to additive sympathomimetic effects and an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects. Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, atenolol) may not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists but may also produce severe bronchospasm in asthmatic patients. Therefore, beta-blockers should generally be avoided in patients with bronchospastic disease. Diuretics or non-potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., loop or thiazide diuretics) can potentiate the ECG changes or hypokalemia that may occur with high doses of albuterol. Ventolin HFA should be administered with caution to patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or tricyclic antidepressants, as the action of albuterol on the vascular system may be potentiated.
Missed dose
Ventolin HFA is used on an as-needed basis for symptom relief or prophylaxis before exercise. It is not intended for scheduled dosing, so the concept of a “missed dose” does not typically apply. If it is used for scheduled dosing as directed by a physician and a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped. The patient should not double the dose to make up for a missed one.
Overdose
Overdosage with albuterol is expected to produce exaggeration of its pharmacologic adverse effects. Symptoms may include seizures, angina, hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia with rates up to 200 beats per minute, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, palpitation, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia. Cardiac arrest and death may occur. Treatment consists of discontinuation of Ventolin HFA together with appropriate symptomatic and supportive therapy. The judicious use of a cardioselective beta-receptor blocker may be considered, bearing in mind the risk of inducing bronchospasm in an asthmatic patient.
Storage
Store at controlled room temperature 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Do not puncture or incinerate the canister, even when empty. Do not store near heat or an open flame. Exposure to temperatures above 120°F may cause bursting. Keep out of reach of children. The contents of the canister are under pressure.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The information provided is based on the manufacturer’s prescribing information but may not be exhaustive.
Reviews
(Note: As an expert medical document, this section provides a summary of the drug’s profile rather than individual patient testimonials.)
Ventolin (albuterol) has been a mainstay in asthma treatment for decades and is widely regarded by the medical community as a highly effective and fast-acting rescue medication. Its efficacy in rapidly reversing acute bronchoconstriction is well-documented in clinical literature. The transition from the CFC-propelled formulation to the current HFA version maintained its therapeutic profile while complying with environmental regulations. The addition of a dose counter is consistently noted as a significant safety and usability improvement, helping to prevent use of an empty inhaler. It remains a first-line recommended SABA in major international asthma management guidelines, including those from GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) and the NIH.