Albuterol Syrup Uses

Albuterol syrup uses are mainly for the treatment of airway spasms in adults and children with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although there is no cure for asthma, symptoms of the condition can be controlled with albuterol. While the medication is primarily used for the treatment of airway problems, there are also possible "off-label" albuterol syrup uses, including the treatment of high potassium in the blood and difficulty breathing associated with respiratory infections.

 

What Is Albuterol Syrup Used For?

Albuterol syrup (albuterol sulfate) is a prescription medication used to treat asthma and other similar lung problems in adults and children as young as two years old. It is part of a class of asthma drugs known as beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short.
 

Albuterol Syrup for Bronchospasm From Asthma or COPD

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways, which are the tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). The inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When the airways react, they narrow and less air flows to your lungs. This is called bronchospasm and causes asthma symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing.
 
Although there is no asthma cure, the symptoms of asthma can be controlled. Albuterol is one of the most commonly used medications used for asthma treatment. While albuterol is often inhaled (using an inhaler or nebulizer), it can also be taken orally, such as with albuterol syrup.
 
Asthma is not the only cause of bronchospasm. Albuterol syrup can also treat bronchospasm due to other lung problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
 
(Albuterol Syrup Uses Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;