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Salbutamol inhaler

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What would you like to know about the salbutamol inhaler?
  • How to use it correctly
  • Dose and timing
  • Side effects
  • Whether it is safe for you or a child
  • When frequent use needs medical review

In asthma

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GINA 2025 asthma salbutamol reliever inhaler recommendations

Salbutamol (albuterol) inhaler is a short-acting bronchodilator, often called a reliever or “rescue” inhaler. It relaxes airway muscles to rapidly ease wheeze, chest tightness, cough, and breathlessness. It usually starts working within 3-5 minutes and lasts about 4-6 hours.

In asthma

  • Use it when symptoms occur, or before exercise if your clinician has advised this.
  • It treats immediate narrowing of the airways, but does not treat the underlying airway inflammation.
  • Do not rely on salbutamol alone as long-term asthma treatment. Current GINA guidance advises that asthma treatment should include an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), because SABA-only treatment is linked with greater risk of severe attacks and asthma-related death. See the GINA 2026 strategy report.

Typical use

Follow the label and your written asthma plan. A common reliever dose from a 100 microgram inhaler is 1-2 puffs when needed. If you need it frequently, your asthma may not be controlled and your preventer treatment and inhaler technique need review.
Correct technique for a pressurised metered-dose inhaler:
  1. Shake the inhaler.
  2. Breathe out fully, away from the device.
  3. Seal lips around the mouthpiece.
  4. Start breathing in slowly and deeply, then press once.
  5. Hold your breath for up to 10 seconds.
  6. If a second puff is prescribed, wait about 30-60 seconds.
  7. A spacer can make delivery more effective, especially for children or if coordinating the puff is difficult.

Side effects

Common temporary effects include:
  • Tremor or shaky hands
  • Fast heartbeat or palpitations
  • Feeling nervous, headache
  • Muscle cramps
Seek urgent help if symptoms are severe, getting worse, you cannot speak full sentences, lips/fingers turn blue or grey, you feel exhausted or confused, or the inhaler is not giving sustained relief. During a serious attack, use your personal asthma action plan and seek emergency care promptly.
Needing salbutamol repeatedly over a day, waking at night with asthma, or using it on most days warrants a prompt medical review.
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