How Much Albuterol Is Too Much? Full Guide to Albuterol Dosage

Albuterol can be a life-saving medication, especially for people diagnosed with asthma or COPD. However, just like any medication, there is such a thing as too much albuterol. So, how much albuterol is too much? And what happens if you use your inhaler too much? Read on for everything you need to know about albuterol dosing and how often to use albuterol inhaler devices.

Full guide to albuterol dosage

You are likely wondering: “How often can I take albuterol?” It’s essential to understand how to use albuterol so that you can also understand how much albuterol is too much. What is the proper albuterol dose? Use the table below as a guide for how often you can use albuterol inhaler devices and how many puffs of albuterol to use each time.

Inhaler type/solution strength	Recommended Dosage	Dosage adjustments & considerations
ProAir® HFA, 90mcg	Adults: The recommended dose for adults is 1 to 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours or 2 puffs 15 to 30 min before exercise Children: Dosage is the same as adult dosage; not indicated for children under 4 years old	One puff may be sufficient for relief of bronchospasm
Proventil® HFA, 90mcg	Adults: 1 to 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours or 2 puffs 15 to 30 min before exercise Children: Dosage is the same as adult dosage; not indicated for children under 4 years old	One puff may be sufficient for relief of bronchospasm
Ventolin® HFA, 90mcg	Adults: 1 to 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours or 2 puffs 15 to 30 min before exercise Children: Dosage is the same as adult dosage; not indicated for children under 4 years old	One puff may be sufficient for relief of bronchospasm

How often can you use an albuterol inhaler?

How often can you take an albuterol inhaler medication? It’s important to follow your physician’s specific guidance regarding instructions for use. However, metered dose inhalers (MDIs) that contain albuterol have general manufacturer’s recommendations to take one to two puffs every 4 to 6 hours as needed to help with bronchospasm (excess asthma symptoms), or two puffs 30 minutes before exercising. If you feel like you need to take more puffs of albuterol more frequently, you may need to see a healthcare provider to evaluate your asthma management plan.

Albuterol inhaler max dose per day

How many times can I use my albuterol inhaler in one day? If you’re having an asthma flare, it’s essential to know how much is too much albuterol. This can motivate you to seek help from a medical provider if you are finding yourself close to exceeding the maximum dose. The maximum daily dose of an albuterol inhaler is 12 puffs. Each puff delivers 90mcg of albuterol, so the maximum dose of albuterol is 1080 mcg, or just over 1 mg.

The rule of two

Your albuterol inhaler is known as a “rescue” inhaler, and it should only be used periodically, as needed—not daily. To help guide your inhaler usage and determine if you may need additional therapy along with your occasional albuterol inhaler, you can use “the rule of twos.” According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), this rule means that your asthma is well-controlled if:

• You use your albuterol inhaler less than two times per week during the daytime
• You use your albuterol inhaler less than two times per month during the nighttime
• You generally have no limits on your physical activities

The rule of four

How many times can I use my albuterol inhaler in one day? As a further guide for inhaler usage, you can also keep the “rule of four” in mind. This rule can help you decide whether you need to seek medical attention fast during an asthma flare. If you find yourself needing to use your inhaler more frequently than every 4 hours, or if you exceed four doses in 24 hours (which nears the maximum dose of albuterol), then you should seek help from a professional to manage your asthma flare.

How many puffs of albuterol should you take at once?

When using your albuterol inhaler, it’s essential to pay attention to the number of puffs you’re taking. Each puff has a specific amount of albuterol medication, 90 micrograms. This is why taking just the recommended number of puffs is important. The manufacturer of an albuterol inhaler typically advises one to two puffs at a time. Each puff should have at least 1 minute in between to let the medication reach its optimal effect. However, follow your healthcare provider’s directions for the answer to the question of “how often can I take albuterol?”

What happens if you take too much albuterol? Signs of albuterol overdose

What happens if you take too much albuterol? Can you OD on albuterol? Albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist. This means that it binds to specific receptors of the bronchiole smooth muscle cells to exert its bronchodilating effect. However, beta adrenergic receptors can be found in other areas of the body, outside the lungs. So, if you have too much albuterol, symptoms can result that are associated with an overdose of albuterol, including the following.

Nervousness and tremors

Experts note that nervousness, shaking, and tremors can occur at any age, but they are most likely to happen in young children. These happen due to the effect of albuterol on the motor nerves.

Headache

This can happen due to albuterol’s effects on the blood vessels. If your blood vessels dilate (widen) within your brain, it can cause a headache.

Dizziness

Albuterol can increase your heart rate or affect your heart rhythm, which can make you feel dizzy.

Hypokalemia

If you take too much albuterol, you may experience a condition of low potassium, known as hypokalemia. This is because stimulating beta-adrenergic receptors can cause your cells to take up potassium from your blood. Albuterol is sometimes used as a helpful therapy in patients who have a medical condition of too much potassium in their blood, known as hyperkalemia.

Practical tips to take albuterol safely

To make sure you are getting the proper albuterol inhaler dose for adults or children, it’s important to follow these tips.

Follow your doctor’s advice

Even though an albuterol inhaler comes with standard dosing recommendations, nothing beats the personalized care of your physician. Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice closely when it comes to how often to use albuterol inhaler devices.

Take your albuterol the same way every time

It’s essential to use your inhaler the same way every time, to make sure you receive a standard dose of medication.

Wait a full minute in between doses

If you’re planning on two puffs of albuterol before exercise, or to help control bronchospasm symptoms during a flare, make sure to wait a full minute in between puffs. This can ensure that you’re getting the full amount of medication and letting it take effect in the intended way (as opposed to quickly taking two doses in rapid succession).

So, how much albuterol is too much?

When you’re having trouble breathing, it’s tempting to take as much albuterol as you can, as fast as possible. Albuterol is a powerful bronchodilating medication that can certainly open your airways and improve breathing symptoms. However, it’s important not to exceed the recommended dose. Taking too much albuterol can cause unwanted symptoms and make you feel worse. If you feel like your asthma is not controlled enough after taking your recommended dose of albuterol, seek professional help immediately.

FAQs

 

Is albuterol bad for you?

No, albuterol is a fast-acting bronchodilating medicine that can have life-saving properties when used appropriately. Albuterol is not bad for you, but there is an albuterol inhaler maximum daily dose that should be followed to avoid excessive medication. It is possible to take too much albuterol and experience unwanted symptoms.

I accidentally took 3 puffs of albuterol. What should I do?

If you have accidentally taken 3 puffs of albuterol, it's essential to seek medical attention (but don’t panic). Taking an extra dose of the medication means that you have taken 270 micrograms of albuterol instead of 180 micrograms. You may feel a bit more jittery or shaky than usual, but the symptoms should improve.

How long does an inhaler overdose last?

The half-life of albuterol is a few hours, after which symptoms should start to improve.

I accidentally took 5 puffs of albuterol. What should I do?

If you have accidentally taken 5 puffs of albuterol, it's essential to seek medical attention (but don’t panic). Taking extra doses of the medication means that you have taken 450 micrograms of albuterol instead of 180 micrograms. You may feel a bit more jittery or shaky than usual, but the symptoms should improve. For reference, the maximum recommended daily dosage of albuterol is more than 1,000 micrograms.

Can you overdose on an albuterol inhaler?

Yes, it is possible to overdose on albuterol inhaler medication. Like any medication, albuterol has a maximum recommended adult dose of 12 puffs in 24 hours. Exceeding this dose can cause symptoms that can range from mild to severe. If you’re worried you’ve overdosed on albuterol, seek professional help immediately, or call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

What’s the usual recommended albuterol inhaler dose for adults?

The typically recommended albuterol inhaler dose for adults is one to two puffs every 4 to 6 hours. While this is typical, special circumstances can apply. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s specific recommendations for albuterol dosing to make sure your regimen is tailored to your specific health status.

Can you give an albuterol nebulizer every 2 hours to a child?

An albuterol nebulizer solution is typically prescribed every 4 to 8 hours, depending on a child’s age. However, in special circumstances, the frequency of albuterol nebulization can be increased. If you find yourself in the position of having to give nebulized albuterol every 2 hours to a child, make sure to do so in partnership with your child’s medical provider. Otherwise, seek immediate medical attention for further care.

How often can I use my albuterol inhaler for bronchitis?

If you’ve been prescribed an albuterol inhaler for bronchitis, make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions for proper use. A diagnosis of bronchitis is not a formal indication for an albuterol inhaler; however, albuterol is commonly used to help relieve constriction from reactive airway symptoms in bronchitis.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482272/

https://acaai.org/resource/what-is-the-rule-of-twos-for-asthma/

https://dakotaallergy.com/blog/how-much-albuterol-is-too-much/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482272/

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/albuterol-salbutamol-drug-information?search=albuterol%20inhaler&source=panel_search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=panel&kp_tab=drug_general&display_rank=1