Airsupra (Albuterol and Budesonide) for Asthma

Airsupra (albuterol and budesonide) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults 18 years and older with asthma. It is used as needed to treat or prevent airway tightening and to help reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

How Airsupra Works and How It’s Taken

Airsupra is a rescue inhaler that contains two medicines: albuterol and budesonide. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that helps relax the muscles around the airways, which helps open the airways. Budesonide is an inhaled corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation in the airways.

Together, these medicines can help make breathing easier during asthma symptoms. In asthma, this helps treat or prevent bronchoconstriction (tightening of the airways) and may help reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations.

Doctors prescribe Airsupra when adults 18 years and older with asthma need an as-needed medication to treat or prevent bronchoconstriction and help reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

Airsupra is supplied as a pressurized metered-dose inhaler that delivers a combination of albuterol and budesonide. It is an inhalation aerosol that is taken by mouth as needed for asthma symptoms.

Typical Dosing for Asthma

The recommended dose of Airsupra for asthma is albuterol 180 micrograms and budesonide 160 micrograms. This dose is given as two inhalations of Airsupra 90 micrograms/80 micrograms as needed for asthma symptoms.

Do not take more than six doses, or 12 inhalations, in a 24-hour period.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Airsupra Side Effects

In clinical studies of Airsupra used as needed for asthma in adults 18 years and older, the most common side effects occurred in about 1 percent to 5 percent of people. These include:

Headache
Oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth or throat)
Cough
Dysphonia (hoarseness or voice changes)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Airsupra can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Deterioration of asthma — Asthma symptoms may get worse, or you may need more doses than usual.
Paradoxical bronchospasm — Unexpected tightening of the airways can be life-threatening.
Cardiovascular effects — Increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure, or abnormal heart rhythms may occur.
Hypersensitivity reactions — Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, swelling of the face, mouth, or throat, rash, hives, or trouble breathing, can occur.
Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) — Low potassium levels may affect the heart.
Increased risk of infections or worsening of existing infections — Airsupra may increase the risk of infections or worsen existing infections.
Oropharyngeal candidiasis — Oral thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth or throat, can occur.
Adrenal suppression or hypercorticism — Effects from too much corticosteroid exposure, including adrenal gland problems, can occur.
Decreased bone mineral density — Bone thinning may occur over time.
Glaucoma and cataracts — Eye problems that may affect vision can occur.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Airsupra

AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Airsupra, offers the Airsupra Savings Card Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0.

The Airsupra Savings Card Program provides a savings card that can be downloaded and presented at the pharmacy. To download the savings card, visit the Airsupra savings card download page.

To learn more, visit the Airsupra Savings Card Program or call 866-480-0030.

What To Know Before Taking Airsupra

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to albuterol and budesonide or any ingredients in Airsupra. Do not use Airsupra if you have had a serious allergic reaction to albuterol, budesonide, or any of its ingredients.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
Diuretics
Other inhaled or asthma medicines
Beta-blockers
Digoxin
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Tricyclic antidepressants

Before using Airsupra, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have:

Heart problems
High blood pressure
Seizures
Thyroid problems
Diabetes
Low potassium levels in your blood
An immune system problem
Tuberculosis of the respiratory tract or a history of tuberculosis of the respiratory tract
An untreated viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infection
Herpes simplex infection of the eye
Been exposed to chickenpox or measles, or have not received vaccines for these diseases
Weak bones or risk factors for weak bones
Eye problems, such as increased eye pressure, glaucoma, or cataracts
Liver problems

Do not put a hole in the Airsupra canister. Do not use or store it near heat or a flame. High heat may cause the canister to burst. Do not throw the canister into a fire or incinerator.

There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who use asthma medicines during pregnancy. To learn more, visit MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies or call 877-311-8972.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Airsupra, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Airsupra?

In studies of adults with asthma, Airsupra lowered the risk of severe asthma attacks compared with albuterol alone.

In one study, Airsupra reduced the risk of a first severe asthma attack by 28 percent over at least 24 weeks. In another study, it reduced that risk by 46 percent over 12 to 52 weeks.

In a 12-week lung function study, bronchodilation (opening of the airways) started within 30 minutes in 51 percent of people who used Airsupra. After a single dose on day 1, the median time to the start of bronchodilation was 7.5 minutes. The average duration was about 186.9 minutes.

How long does Airsupra take to work for asthma?

In a 12-week clinical study, the median time to the start of bronchodilation was 7.5 minutes after a single dose of Airsupra on day 1. The average duration of bronchodilation was about 186.9 minutes.

Individual responses may vary. If Airsupra does not relieve your symptoms as expected or you need to use it more often than usual, contact your doctor.

Should I take Airsupra for asthma if I have an infection?

Airsupra contains budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid. Inhaled corticosteroids should be used with caution, if at all, in people with active or inactive tuberculosis of the respiratory tract, untreated fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, or herpes simplex infection of the eye.

People taking medicines that suppress the immune system may be more likely to get infections. They should avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and contact their doctor if exposure occurs.

Talk with your doctor if you have an infection or a history of these conditions before using Airsupra.