Airsupra dosage, forms, and strengths

Medically reviewed by Samantha Marr, DNP
Board-Certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Updated Oct 23, 2024  •  Published May 29, 2024
Datos Verificados

Key takeaways

  • Airsupra is an asthma rescue inhaler that relieves or prevents asthma symptoms.

  • Airsupra also contains a corticosteroid, so Airsupra can be used as needed to prevent sudden asthma attacks.

  • Airsupra should not be used as a daily asthma maintenance treatment.

  • The standard dosage of Airsupra is two puffs as needed for asthma symptoms.

  • Because Airsupra contains a steroid, rinse your mouth with water after each dose to prevent oral fungal infections (thrush).

Airsupra is a brand-name asthma rescue inhaler used as needed to relieve asthma symptoms. Airsupra combines two drugs that help widen airways. The first drug is Albuterol, a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) that relaxes muscles in the airways. The second is Budesonide, a corticosteroid that reduces swelling in the airways. As an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), budesonide works to prevent asthma attacks or exacerbations. Airsupra can be used as needed for asthma symptoms but is not appropriate for daily asthma maintenance treatment. When using Airsupra, take two puffs from the metered inhaler when experiencing asthma symptoms, for a maximum of six times daily.

Airsupra forms and strengths

Airsupra is an inhalation aerosol that comes in a metered dose inhaler (MDI). Each canister contains enough medicine for 120 inhalations (60 doses).

  • Metered dose inhaler: 90 mcg albuterol/80 mcg budesonide per actuation

Airsupra dosage for adults

Airsupra is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat or prevent asthma symptoms or attacks. It is not appropriate as a maintenance treatment for asthma. Airsupra can be used by any adult except for people allergic to albuterol, budesonide, or any of the ingredients in the aerosol.

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Airsupra dosage chart
Indication Starting dosage Standard dosage Maximum dosage
Treatment or prevention of asthma symptoms or asthma exacerbations 2 actuations (180 mcg/160 mcg) as needed 2 actuations (180 mcg/160 mcg) as needed 12 actuations (6 doses) per 24-hour period

Airsupra dosage for asthma symptoms

Airsupra is FDA approved to treat or prevent asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest pain, coughing, or wheezing on an as-needed basis. It can also be used on an as-needed basis to help prevent a sudden asthma attack or asthma exacerbations. 

Airsupra combines two medicines designed to open airways in the lungs. Asthma constricts airways through narrowing and inflammation, so Airsupra combines two medicines designed to open airways in the lungs. The albuterol sulfate in an Airsupra dose relaxes the muscles in the airways, and the budesonide blocks the inflammatory response throughout the lungs. The combined effects make breathing easier, relieving asthma symptoms.

People with asthma can use Airsupra as needed, provided that no more than six doses (12 puffs) are taken daily. Each metered dose inhaler comes with enough medicine for 60 doses. 

  • Standard Airsupra dosage for the relief or prevention of asthma symptoms: 2 puffs (180 mcg/160 mcg) taken as needed 

Airsupra dosage for children

Airsupra is not FDA approved for use in children. 

Airsupra dosage restrictions

Airsupra does not need dosage modifications for people with kidney disease or liver impairment. However, healthcare professionals will be cautious about using Airsupra in people with liver problems or who are older than 65 years of age because of the increased risk of side effects.

Airsupra dosage for pets 

The use of Airsupra for animals has not been tested, but the individual drugs (albuterol and budesonide) have been studied. A veterinarian can prescribe an albuterol/budesonide inhaler like Airsupra, but it’s unlikely. Among inhaled corticosteroids, budesonide is not a standard treatment for animals. Other corticosteroids, such as fluticasone, are the preferred treatments and may be prescribed separately with albuterol. 

Like humans, dogs and cats can suffer from asthma. Long-term maintenance treatment is typically the standard approach for pets with asthma, but albuterol is often used in cats to treat asthma attacks. Airway constriction is less of a problem with dogs. The standard albuterol dose in cats is one puff from an albuterol-metered inhaler delivered through a suitable spacer. 

How to take Airsupra

Airsupra is delivered through a standard metered inhaler. Here are the basic instructions for operation: 

  • Use the medication as directed. Do not use more than prescribed.

  • Take only one dose at a time. If it doesn’t work, take another dose as instructed by the prescriber.

  • Do not take more than six doses (12 puffs) daily.

  • If symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, call a doctor or get medical attention.

  • Read the Instructions for Use (IFU) included with the medicine.

  • Know the actuator's various parts, including the dose indicator on the cartridge.

  • Priming the inhaler:

    • Before using the inhaler, write the Use By date on the back and prime the inhaler.

    • To prime the inhaler, remove the mouthpiece.

    • Shake the inhaler.

    • Point the inhaler away from you and squeeze out a single test puff.

    • Shake the inhaler and squeeze out a test puff three more times.

    • The inhaler is ready to use.

  • You do not need to re-prime the inhaler unless:

    • The inhaler isn’t used for more than seven days.

    • The inhaler is dropped.

    • The actuator has just been rinsed (once per week).

  • Re-priming only requires two test puffs.

  • Taking a dose:

    • Remove the mouthpiece. Check for foreign objects in the mouthpiece and remove them if necessary.

    • Shake the inhaler well.

    • Breathe out of your mouth.

    • Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and form a tight seal around it with your lips.

    • Breathe in slowly and deeply while squeezing out one puff.

    • Continue breathing in until you can’t do it any longer.

    • Hold your breath for up to ten seconds.

    • Take a second puff the same way.

    • Rinse your mouth out with water. Spit the water out. Do not swallow it.

  • Rinsing the inhaler:

    • Rinse the actuator weekly to remove debris or build-up in the mouthpiece. 

    • Remove the canister and put it aside. Do not allow the canister to get wet.

    • Remove the cover over the mouthpiece.

    • Run water through the mouthpiece for 30 seconds. Do not use soap.

    • Run water through the top of the actuator for 30 seconds.

    • Shake out as much water as possible. Do not dry it with a towel.

    • Look through the mouthpiece and the actuator top to ensure all the medicine buildup is rinsed out. If it isn’t, run water through it again.

    • Let the actuator air-dry overnight.

  • Using a wet inhaler:

    • If you need to use the inhaler while it’s still wet, shake off as much water from the actuator as possible.

    • Insert the cartridge.

    • Take the dose.

    • Remove the cartridge and set it aside.

    • Rinse the actuator again.

  • Watch the dose indicator:

    • Each cartridge contains 120 puffs, enough medicine for 60 doses.

    • When the puff indicator is in the yellow zone, it’s time to order a new inhaler.

    • Do not try to use the inhaler if the puff indicator reads “0.”

    • Throw away the inhaler when the puff indicator reads “0” or the Use By date has passed. Do not try to reuse the actuator with other cartridges.

  • Store the inhaler at room temperature. Keep it away from humid environments like bathrooms.

Airsupra dosage FAQs

How long does it take Airsupra to work?

In clinical trials, Airsupra improved lung function within 7.5 minutes of taking a doseand over 50% of people experienced bronchodilation within 30 minutes of taking Airsupra. For the prevention of asthma exacerbation, Airsupra reduces the incidence of asthma exacerbations by 28% relative to inhaled albuterol only.

What happens if I miss a dose of Airsupra?

Take an Airsupra dose when experiencing asthma symptoms such as trouble breathing, wheezing, and coughing. If the dose is missed at the start of your symptoms, take it as soon as possible. 

How long can you take Airsupra?

Airsupra can be taken for as long as it works without causing side effects. However, long-term use of an inhaled corticosteroid like budesonide can cause serious problems such as adrenal gland problems, glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis, or symptoms of overexposure to corticosteroids (hypercorticism). In those cases, people may need to switch to a rescue inhaler that doesn’t include a corticosteroid.

How do I stop taking Airsupra?

Airsupra can be stopped anytime, but talk to your provider before doing so because a suitable rescue inhaler needs to be prescribed to handle asthma symptoms. A healthcare provider may agree that Airsupra needs to be stopped if there are any serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), low potassium (hypokalemia), immune system problems, worsening of asthma, severe asthma attacks (paradoxical bronchospasm), or any of the long-term side effects of using an inhaled corticosteroid. Many of these side effects are due to budesonide, so people may need to switch to a rescue inhaler that doesn’t include a steroid. Certain adverse reactions, like heart rate problems and low potassium, are side effects of albuterol. These can be addressed by switching to another short-acting bronchodilator. 

What is the maximum dosage for Airsupra?

Airsupra is taken as needed to relieve asthma symptoms or prevent asthma exacerbations. Take up to six doses (12 actuations) in 24 hours.

Can you overdose on Airsupra?

If too much Airsupra is taken, call a poison helpline or get medical attention. If you’re using the Airsupra inhaler too often, contact your provider.

Overusing inhaled albuterol could cause serious problems such as a racing heartbeat, high blood pressure, low potassium, heart attack, or death. Symptoms of an albuterol overdose can include a racing heartbeat, abnormal heartbeats, headache, tremor, dry mouth, muscle cramps, dizziness, and seizures. 

Chronic overuse of inhaled budesonide will have long-term side effects, such as adrenal gland dysfunction. 

What interacts with Airsupra?

If taken at the recommended dosage, oral inhalation use of Airsupra delivers only tiny doses of the active ingredients and very little of these drugs enter the bloodstream. However, drug interactions are still possible, so tell your provider about all the medications and supplements you take, including: 

Is it safe to take Airsupra during pregnancy?

Both inhaled albuterol and inhaled budesonide can be used during pregnancy. There is no clear evidence that either drug affects pregnancy or the health of the fetus.

Is it safe to take Airsupra while breastfeeding?

There is no data on the effects of Airsupra on the nursing infant or breast milk production. There is also no data on the levels of albuterol in human breast milk. Inhaled budesonide does appear in human breast milk. The benefits of breastfeeding a baby should be considered along with the mother’s need for Airsupra with their healthcare provider.

Sources

Medically reviewed by Samantha Marr, DNP
Board-Certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Samantha Marr, DNP, APN, AGPCNP-BC, CCRN, is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2014 at Georgetown University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at Rutgers University in 2021. Currently, Marr works as a nurse practitioner in the Medical ICU in Morristown, New Jersey. She also is the APN with the Post-ICU Care Services team providing risk assessments and early identification of ICU patients at risk of developing Post-ICU Syndrome. She is a Certified Critical Care Nurse and was a former ICU nurse for seven years where she worked as the chair of many unit-based committees to help lead and train other nurses.

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