Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide) is a prescription drug that’s used to manage asthma in adults. It also lowers the risk of an asthma attack. Airsupra comes as an aerosol that you inhale through your mouth via the Airsupra inhaler.
Airsupra basics
Airsupra contains the active ingredients albuterol and budesonide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Albuterol belongs to a group of drugs called short-acting beta-2 agonists. Budesonide belongs to a group of drugs called inhaled corticosteroids.
Airsupra is a brand-name medication that’s not available as a generic drug.
Airsupra is used to treat and help prevent bronchospasm (tightening of the muscles that line your airways) and other symptoms of asthma. It’s also used to lower the risk of an asthma attack.
Asthma is a condition caused by inflammation that affects the lining of the airways. Inflammation causes swelling and bronchospasms. It also increases the amount of mucus in the airways. This makes it hard to breathe and causes other asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing.
The Airsupra inhaler delivers aerosol doses of Airsupra directly to the airways by spraying the drug into the mouth for inhalation. This quickly manages asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways and relaxing the muscles lining them.
Like most drugs, Airsupra may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Airsupra may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Airsupra. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Airsupra can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Airsupra’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Airsupra that have been reported include:
- cough
- headache
- hoarse voice
- oral thrush (yeast infection in your mouth or throat)
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Airsupra can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Airsupra, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Airsupra that have been reported include:
- adrenal insufficiency (adrenal glands not producing enough cortisol)
- paradoxical bronchospasm (bronchospasm that occurs shortly after you take a dose of Airsupra)
- heart problems, including high blood pressure and fast heart rate
- low potassium level
- increased risk of infection
- osteoporosis
- eye problems, including cataracts and glaucoma
Allergic reactionSome people may have an allergic reaction to Airsupra. While allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Airsupra, it has been reported since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Airsupra. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Airsupra that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Form and strength
Airsupra comes in a metered-dose inhaler in one strength: 90 micrograms (mcg) albuterol/80 mcg budesonide per inhalation.
Recommended dosage
For the short-term treatment or prevention of asthma symptoms, you’ll take two inhalations (puffs) of Airsupra as needed.
You should not use more than 12 puffs (six doses) of Airsupra during a 24-hour period. If you feel the need to use Airsupra this frequently, talk with your doctor. Your asthma symptoms may require a different treatment.
How to use
Your doctor will explain how to use Airsupra. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Airsupra comes in a metered-dose inhaler. To use it, you’ll press down on the canister at the same time that you breathe in through the mouthpiece. You can view step-by-step instructions in Airsupra’s prescribing information. Your doctor or pharmacist will also show you how to use Airsupra when you’re first prescribed the drug.
Questions about using Airsupra
Below are some common questions about using Airsupra.
- Should I take Airsupra with food? Food doesn’t affect how Airsupra works. You can use a dose of Airsupra regardless of when you last ate. But you should not use the drug when you have food or liquid in your mouth.
- Will I need to use Airsupra long term? Yes, you’ll likely use Airsupra long term if you and your doctor agree the drug is working well for you.
Overdose
Do not use more Airsupra than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects. The maximum dosage of Airsupra is 6 doses (12 puffs of the inhaler) in a 24-hour period.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- high blood pressure or low blood pressure
- irregular heart rate
- feeling nervous or anxious
- muscle tremor or cramps
- high blood sugar
- high level of acid in the blood
- seizures
What to do in case you take too much Airsupra
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Airsupra. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below is important information you should consider before taking Airsupra.
Interactions
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.
Airsupra can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.
Before taking Airsupra, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
Drug interactions
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Airsupra. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Airsupra. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
| certain antibiotics | • clarithromycin • ciprofloxacin (Cipro) |
| certain antifungals | • ketoconazole • itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) |
| certain antiretrovirals | • ritonavir (Norvir) • nelfinavir (Viracept) |
| cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf) | – |
| certain drugs for heart conditions | • diltiazem (Cardizem CD, others) • verapamil (Verelan, others) |
| beta-blockers | • atenolol (Tenormin) • propranolol (Inderal LA and Inderal XL) |
| diuretics (water pills) | • furosemide (Lasix) • bumetanide (Bumex) |
| digoxin (Lanoxin) | – |
| monoamine oxidase inhibitors | • phenelzine (Nardil) • isocarboxazid (Marplan) |
Airsupra and alcohol
Alcohol is not known to interact with Airsupra. It’s likely safe to consume alcohol during your Airsupra treatment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Airsupra during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Airsupra treatment.
If you and your doctor decide you’ll use Airsupra while pregnant, consider joining the pregnancy registry for asthma drugs. Pregnancy registries help doctors and patients make safe treatment decisions during pregnancy. You can learn more or join the registry online or by calling 877-311-8972.
Warnings
Airsupra can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Airsupra is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Airsupra. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- current or past tuberculosis (TB) infection
- type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- heart condition
- high blood pressure
- weakened immune system
- low potassium level
- seizures
- thyroid gland problems
- untreated infection
- exposure to measles or chickenpox and have not received vaccinations against these infections
- previous allergic reaction to Airsupra
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Airsupra.
Does Airsupra cause long-term side effects?
It’s possible. Examples of long-term side effects reported in Airsupra’s studies include:
- osteoporosis
- increased risk of infection
Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Airsupra and how long they may last.
Will Airsupra cure my asthma?
No, Airsupra does not cure asthma. There’s currently no cure for this condition. However, Airsupra works to manage the symptoms of asthma. It can also help prevent an asthma attack.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Airsupra treatment, talk with your doctor.
Is Airsupra used for cough?
Airsupra is not approved to treat cough. But your doctor may prescribe it off-label for this use. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Airsupra is approved to treat symptoms of asthma, which sometimes include cough. But it’s not approved for use to treat cough that isn’t related to asthma.
To learn more about treatment options for cough, including Airsupra, talk with your doctor.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Airsupra. What you’ll pay for Airsupra may depend on several things, including your treatment plan and the pharmacy you choose.
AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Airsupra, offers a Supra Savings Card to help you save money on your prescriptions of the drug.
Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Airsupra, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to Airsupra:
- other short-acting beta-2 agonists, such as:
- albuterol
- levalbuterol (Xopenex)
- inhaled corticosteroids, such as:
- budesonide (Pulmicort)
- beclomethasone (Qvar RediHaler)
- combination inhalers, such as:
- fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (Advair)
- mometasone/formoterol (Dulera)
- budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort)
Disclaimer: Healthline 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.