Albuterol Dosage

Overview Side Effects Dosage Interactions For Professionals More...

This dosage information may not include all the information needed to use Albuterol safely and effectively. See additional information for Albuterol.

The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Usual Adult Dose for Asthma - Acute

Metered-dose inhaler: 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours.
May increase to 400 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours, if necessary.

Nebulizer: 2.5 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed. (2.5 to 5 mg once followed by 2.5 mg every 20 minutes for acute bronchospasm).

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Acute

Metered-dose inhaler: 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours.
May increase to 400 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours, if necessary.

Nebulizer: 2.5 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed. (2.5 to 5 mg once followed by 2.5 mg every 20 minutes for acute bronchospasm).

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchospasm Prophylaxis

Metered-dose inhaler: 2 puffs (180 or 216 mcg) 15 minutes before exercise.
Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled 15 minutes before exercise.

Usual Adult Dose for Asthma - Maintenance

Metered-dose inhaler: 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a large number of inhalations is not recommended.

Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours.
May increase to 400 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours, if necessary.

Tablets: 2 to 4 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day. May increase stepwise to a maximum of 8 mg orally 4 times a day.

Extended-release tablets: 4 to 8 mg orally every 8 hours. May increase to a maximum of 16 mg orally twice a day.

Syrup: 2 to 4 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day. Doses > 4 mg should be given 4 times a day. May increase up to 8 mg orally 4 times a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Maintenance

Metered-dose inhaler: 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a large number of inhalations is not recommended.

Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours.
May increase to 400 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours, if necessary.

Tablets: 2 to 4 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day. May increase stepwise to a maximum of 8 mg orally 4 times a day.

Extended-release tablets: 4 to 8 mg orally every 8 hours. May increase to a maximum of 16 mg orally twice a day.

Syrup: 2 to 4 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day. Doses > 4 mg should be given 4 times a day. May increase up to 8 mg orally 4 times a day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Asthma - Acute

Less than 1 year:

Nebulizer: 0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours with subsequent doses titrated based on clinical response.

1 year to 4 years:

Nebulizer: 1.25 to 2.5 mg every 4 to 6 hours with subsequent doses titrated based on clinical response.

5 years or older:

Metered-dose inhaler (HFA): 2 puffs (216 mcg) every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours.
May increase to 400 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours, if necessary.

5 years to 11 years:

Nebulizer: 2.5 mg every 4 to 6 hours with subsequent doses titrated based on clinical response.

12 years or older:

Nebulizer: 2.5 to 5 mg every 6 hours as needed.

Metered dose inhaler (non-HFA): 2 puffs every (180 mcg) every 4 to 6 hours.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bronchospasm Prophylaxis

Over 4 years:

Metered-dose inhaler (HFA): 2 puffs (216 mcg)15 minutes before exercise.
Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled 15 minutes before exercise.

12 years or older:

Metered-dose inhaler (non-HFA): 2 puffs (180 mcg) 15 minutes before exercise.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Asthma - Maintenance

2 years to 5 years:

Syrup or tablets: 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg 3 times daily. Do not exceed 12 mg a day.

Over 4 years:

Metered-dose inhaler (HFA): 2 puffs (216 mcg) every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a large number of inhalations is not recommended.

Inhalation capsules: 200 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours.
May increase to 400 mcg inhaled every 4 to 6 hours, if necessary.

6 years to 11 years:

Syrup or tablets: 2 to 6 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day. May increase stepwise to a maximum of 24 mg/day in divided doses.

Extended-release tablets: 4 to 12 mg orally every 12 hours. May increase to a maximum of 12 mg orally twice a day.

12 years or older:

Syrup or tablets: 2 to 8 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day. Doses > 4 mg should be given 4 times a day. May increase up to 8 mg orally 4 times a day.

Extended-release tablets: 4 to 8 mg orally every 8 hours. May increase to a maximum of 16 mg orally twice a day.

Metered-dose inhaler (non-HFA): 2 puffs (180 mcg) every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a large number of inhalations is not recommended.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Dose Adjustments

Doses should be adjusted based on patient response and tolerance. Patients can be switched to extended release with the same total daily dose administered twice a day.