Airsupra

Generic name: albuterol and budesonide
Dosage form: inhalation aerosol, for oral inhalation use
Drug class: Antiasthmatic combinations

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 13, 2023.

What is Airsupra?

Airsupra is a prescription combination rescue inhaler for as-needed use to reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations.

Airsupra combines two medicines, a short/rapid-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (SABA) medicine called albuterol sulfate, and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) medicine called budesonide in one oral inhaler, delivered into the airways as a propelled spray.

SABA medicines such as albuterol help to relax the smooth muscles of the airways, causing the airways to widen, leading to easier breathing.

ICS medicines such as budesonide help to decrease inflammation in the lungs. Inflammation in the lungs can lead to breathing difficulties.

What is Airsupra used to treat?

Airsupra is used as needed as a rescue inhaler to treat or prevent symptoms of asthma (tightening of the airways, wheezing, cough and shortness of breath).

Airsupra is also used to help prevent sudden severe breathing problems (asthma attacks).

Airsupra is administered as a dose of 2 inhalations (puffs) as needed. Do not use more than 12 inhalations (6 doses) in a 24-hour period.

Airsupra is not to be used as maintenance treatment for asthma. If you are currently taking medicine long-term to maintain control of asthma symptoms, you should continue to take that medicine as directed by your healthcare provider.

It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children.

Who should not use Airsupra?

You should not use Airsupra if you:

are allergic to albuterol sulfate, budesonide, or any of the other ingredients in Airsupra. See the end of this page for a complete list of ingredients.

Before using Airsupra

Before you start treatment, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have heart problems.
have high blood pressure (hypertension).
have convulsions (seizures).
have thyroid problems.
have diabetes.
have low potassium levels in your blood.
have an immune system problem.
have or had tuberculosis of your respiratory tract.
have had any type of viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal infection, or herpes simplex infection of theeye (ocular herpes simplex) that has not been treated.
have been exposed to chickenpox or measles or you have not received vaccines against these diseases.
have or are at risk for weak bones. You are at risk for weak bones if you:
- are inactive for a long period of time
- have a family history of osteoporosis
- are a woman going through menopause (“the change of life”) or are past menopause
- smoke or use tobacco
- are elderly
- do not eat well (poor nutrition)
- use medicines that cause bone thinning (such as seizure medicines or corticosteroids) for a long time
have eye problems such as increased pressure in the eye, glaucoma, or cataracts.
have liver problems.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Airsupra may harm your unborn baby.
- Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who use asthma medicines during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, contact the MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies conducted by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists at 1-877-311-8972 or visit https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/asthma/.
are breastfeeding. It is not known if the medicines in Airsupra pass into your breast milk and if they can harm your baby. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take Airsupra while breastfeeding.

What other drugs will affect Airsupra?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Airsupra and certain other medicines may affect each other causing side effects.

Especially, tell your healthcare provider if you take:

medicines known as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
diuretics
other inhaled medicines or asthma medicines
digoxin
beta blockers
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
tricyclic antidepressants

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines, if you are not sure. Know the medicines that you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.

How should I use Airsupra?

Read the step-by-step instructions at the end of this page.

Before you start treatment, make sure your healthcare provider has taught you how to use the inhaler and that you understand how to use it correctly.
Use Airsupra exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Do not use Airsupra more often than prescribed (no more than 12 puffs which equals 6 doses) within a 24-hour period.
Do not change or stop other inhaled medicines or asthma medicines (oral or inhaled) without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away if:
- your breathing problems get worse.
- you need to use Airsupra more often than usual.
- Airsupra does not work as well to relieve your asthma.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Asthma

2 actuations of albuterol 90 mcg/budesonide 80 mcg by oral inhalation as needed for asthma symptoms.

Comment:
- Do not take more than 6 doses (12 inhalations) in a 24-hour period.
- Prime inhaler prior to first use. Re-prime when inhaler has not been used for more than 7 days, is dropped, or after cleaning.
- Discard when the dose counter displays 0.

Use:
- for the as-needed treatment or prevention of bronchoconstriction and to reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients with asthma 18 years of age and older.

Airsupra side effects

Airsupra can cause serious side effects, including:

worsening trouble breathing, coughing, and wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm). If this happens, stop using Airsupra and call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away. Paradoxical bronchospasm is more likely to happen with your first use of a new canister of medicine.
heart problems, including faster heart rate and higher blood pressure.
possible death in people who use too much Airsupra.
serious allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away if you have:
- skin rash, redness, or swelling
- severe itching
- swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- chest pain
changes in laboratory blood levels. Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) may cause abnormal heart rhythms. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your potassium levels during treatment.
weakened immune system and increased chance of getting infections. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs and symptoms of infection including:
- fever
- pain
- aches
- chills
- feeling tired
- nausea and vomiting
fungal infection in your mouth and throat (thrush). This is a common side effect. Rinse your mouth with water, if available, without swallowing after using Airsupra to help reduce your chance of getting thrush.
reduced adrenal function (adrenal insufficiency). Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not make enough steroid hormones. This can happen when you start taking a medicine containing an ICS (such as Airsupra). When your body is under stress from fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection or surgery, adrenal insufficiency can get worse. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:
- feeling tired
- lack of energy
- weakness
- nausea and vomiting
- low blood pressure
bone thinning or weakness (osteoporosis). Your healthcare provider should check you for this during treatment.
eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts. You should have regular eye exams during treatment.

Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have symptoms of any of the serious side effects listed above.

Common side effects include:

headache
cough
hoarseness

Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the side effects. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to AstraZeneca at 1-800-236 9933.

How should I store Airsupra?

Store Airsupra inhaler at room temperature between 68ºF to 77ºF (20ºC to 25ºC). Keep in a dry place away from heat and sunlight.
Store the inhaler in the unopened foil pouch and only open when ready for use.
Do not put a hole in the inhaler's canister.
Do not use or store Airsupra near heat or a flame. Temperatures above 120ºF (49ºC) may cause the canister to burst.
Do not throw the canister into a fire or an incinerator.
Throw away Airsupra 12 months after you open the foil pouch or when the dose indicator reaches zero “0”; whichever comes first.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.

General information about the safe and effective use of Airsupra

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use this medicine for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give it to other people, even if they have the same condition that you have. It may harm them.

You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information that is written for healthcare professionals.

What are the ingredients in Airsupra?

Active ingredients: micronized albuterol sulfate and micronized budesonide.
Inactive ingredients: hydrofluoroalkane (HFA 134a) and porous particles 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and calcium chloride.

Instructions for Use

Before using your Airsupra inhaler

1. Write the Use by Date
Write the Use By Date (12 months after you open the foil pouch) on the actuator label using permanent ink.

2. Prime your Airsupra inhaler before first use
Take the cover off the mouthpiece by squeezing both sides of the cover while pulling it down.
Shake the inhaler well.
Hold your Airsupra inhaler facing away from you and press down firmly on the top of the puff indicator to spray 1 test-puff into the air.
Repeat the priming steps for a total of 4 test-puffs.
Shake your Airsupra inhaler before each test-puff.
Extra puffs are provided for priming. Do not skip priming.

When and how to re-prime your Airsupra inhaler
Re-prime your inhaler:

if it is not used for more than 7 days.
if it is dropped.
after rinsing white actuator.

To re-prime your inhaler:

Take the cover off the mouthpiece and spray 2 test-puffs into the air.
Shake your Airsupra inhaler before each test-puff.
Shake before each test-puff.
Extra puffs are provided for priming. Do not skip priming.

How to use your inhaler – Inhaling your medicine

1. Check
Take the cover off the mouthpiece. Check the mouthpiece for foreign objects and remove objects before use.
Check inside mouthpiece.

2. Shake and Inhale
Shake well
Breathe out fully
Place the mouthpiece into your mouth and close your lips around the mouthpiece.
Start to breathe in deeply and slowly while spraying 1 puff.
Continue breathing in until you cannot anymore.
Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Hold your breath for as long as you can or up to 10 seconds.

3. Repeat
Immediately repeat the shake and inhale step to take a second puff.
2 puffs equals 1 dose.

4. Place the mouthpiece cover back on
Place the mouthpiece cover back on the mouthpiece.

5. Rinse
Rinse your mouth with water, if available (Do not swallow the water).

Weekly rinse – Rinsing your actuator 1 time each week

Rinse the white actuator 1-time each week so that the medicine does not build up and block the spray through the mouthpiece.
Do not allow the canister to get wet.
Re-prime your Airsupra inhaler after rinsing.

1. Remove canister.

2. Rinse through both ends
Rinse each end of the actuator with warm water for 30 seconds (60 seconds total). Shake off as much water as you can. Do not use soap. Do not dry with a towel or tissue.
Look into the mouthpiece and actuator to make sure any medicine build-up has been completely washed away. If there is any build-up, repeat the weekly rinse step 2 again.
Check inside mouthpiece and actuator.

3. Air-dry
Let the actuator air-dry, such as overnight.

4. Re-assemble and re-prime
Re-assemble Airsupra when the actuator is fully dry.
First, place the mouthpiece cover back on. After the mouthpiece cover is on, gently press the canister down into actuator. Do not insert the canister while the mouthpiece cover is off.
Re-prime the inhaler by following the Re-prime steps above.

Emergency inhaler use when wet
If you need to use the inhaler before it is dry:

shake off as much excess water as you can
insert the canister into the actuator
shake and spray 2-test puffs into the air away from your face
take the prescribed dose
rinse the actuator again following the Weekly Rinse steps.

Storing your inhaler

Store your inhaler at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Do not store in a humid environment, such as a bathroom.
Keep your inhaler and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Throwing away your Airsupra inhaler

Throw away your Airsupra inhaler in the household trash:

when the dose indicator reaches zero “0” or 12 months after you open the foil pouch, whichever comes first.

Do not reuse or use the actuator with medicine canisters from other inhalers.
Do not puncture or throw the canister into a fire or incinerator.

Ordering a new Airsupra inhaler