Albuterol sulfate is a bronchodilator that aids in the prevention and treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, symptoms like wheezing, breathing difficulty and chest tightness, according to MedlinePlus. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes bronchial pathways to constrict in response to external irritants, allergies or exercise. Albuterol is available in liquid form for administration via an inhaler or nebulizer. Considered a "fast-acting" medication, albuterol is available in two strengths.
0.75 mg
Albuterol sulfate is available in a unit-dose vial of 0.75mg with sodium chloride and sulfuric acid in a 3mL isotonic, sterile and aqueous solution, according to Drugs.com. This equates to 0.63mg of the compound albuterol, or salbutamol coined by the World Health Organization, with the remaining comprised of sodium choloride and sulfuric acid. Isotonicity refers to the equalizing function of the sodium choloride with the albuterol sulfate, while sulfuric acid balances the pH of the solution. The unit-dose vial is a metered inhaler or a single-dose container for a nebulizer.
1.5 mg
Albuterol is also available in 1.25mg strength in which 1.25 mg constitutes the compound albuterol and the remaining of sodium chloride and sulfuric acid, according to Drugs.com. Like the lesser strength of 0.75mg, the 1.5mg variety is also available in the metered dose inhaler and nebulizer vile. Neither strengths require dilution prior to administration, but are ready-to-use medications. The actual amount delivered to the lungs depends primarily on the apparatus used, the lung capacity of the asthmatic and the performance of the compressor, Drugs.com says.
Dosing
Taking albuterol inhalations requires a prescription. Individuals who use a fast-acting inhaler like albuterol to relieve the onset of sudden symptoms more than three times a week, usually indicates the need for a preventative medication like corticosteroids, according to MayoClinic.com. For individuals with COPD such as emphysema and experience severe symptoms, two puffs, four times a day is the general dosing instruction. Nonetheless, both asthma and COPD sufferers require long-term preventative medications to treat symptoms in tandem with albuterol.
