Proair (albuterol sulfate) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to treat or prevent bronchospasm in adults and some children. Proair comes as an inhaler that’s taken only when needed. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to help prevent or treat.

Proair is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to:

Proair belongs to a drug class called beta-agonists. Proair is available in a generic form.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Proair, including its strengths and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Proair, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Proair provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Proair, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Proair’s forms, strengths, and dosages.

Proair forms

Proair comes in three forms:

Proair strengths

Proair HFA, Proair Respiclick, and Proair Digihaler all come in strengths of 90 micrograms (mcg) per inhalation.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed for adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for preventing or treating bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease

Doctors may prescribe Proair to prevent or treat bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease.

Your dose of Proair will be the same whether you’re using Proair HFA, Proair Respiclick, or Proair Digihaler. If your doctor prescribes Proair for your condition, your starting dosage will likely be 2 puffs every 4–6 hours.

Some people may need to take only 1 puff every 4 hours to manage their bronchospasm. Taking higher doses or taking them more often than this is not recommended. Your doctor will recommend the dosage that’s best for prevention or treatment of your bronchospasm.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for helping prevent bronchospasm caused by exercise

Proair is also approved to help prevent bronchospasm that’s caused by exercise. Your dose of Proair will be the same whether you’re using Proair HFA, Proair Respiclick, or Proair Digihaler.

In this case, the recommended starting dosage of Proair is 2 puffs taken 15–30 minutes before exercising.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Children’s dosage

Proair can be used to treat or prevent bronchospasm from reversible obstructive airway disease in children ages 4 years and older. Your child’s dosage of Proair will be the same whether they’re prescribed Proair HFA, Proair Respiclick, or Proair Digihaler.

In this case, the recommended dosage is the same as it is for adults. Your child will take 2 puffs every 4–6 hours. In some cases, 1 puff every 4 hours may be enough to manage your child’s symptoms. Your child’s doctor will recommend the best dosage for them.

This medication can also be used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm in children ages 4 years and older. Your child’s dosage of Proair will be the same whether they’re using Proair HFA, Proair Respiclick, or Proair Digihaler. In this case, the recommended dosage is 2 puffs taken 15–30 minutes before exercising.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Proair is meant to be used as a long-term treatment only when you need it to prevent or treat bronchospasm. Although you may use the drug long term, you likely won’t need to use it every day.

If you and your doctor determine that Proair is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term to manage symptoms of bronchospasm.

Before you start taking Proair, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Proair dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Proair to treat

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Proair dosage.

How you’ll use your Proair inhaler depends on which form of the drug you’re using. All three medications are inhaled, so you’ll breathe the drug into your lungs.

However, the specific directions on how to use each inhaler depend on which form you’re using. Before you start treatment with Proair, your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to use your Proair inhaler.

If you have questions about how to use Proair, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see step-by-step instructions for Proair HFA, Proair Respiclick, or Proair Digihaler.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

Proair is taken only when you need it to prevent or treat bronchospasm. You may take the medication only when you’re already having difficulty breathing.

If you’re taking Proair to prevent bronchospasm and you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t use more Proair than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Proair can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Proair

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Proair. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Proair.

Can Proair be used for COPD? If so, what’s the dosage?

Yes, Proair may be prescribed off-label for breathing problems related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what the FDA approved it for.

Because Proair isn’t approved for COPD, the drug’s manufacturer doesn’t provide recommended dosages for this use. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you’d like to learn more about Proair for COPD, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Proair to start working?

Proair starts to work right after taking your dose. This medication is also called a rescue inhaler, so it should help you start breathing better right away.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Proair treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Proair for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Proair without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Proair that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Proair. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.