ProAir alternatives: quick relief and longer-term options
If ProAir (albuterol) isn’t working well for you, or you want other options, there are several safe, commonly used alternatives. Some give the same fast relief, others help prevent attacks over time. Which one fits you depends on your diagnosis, how often you use a rescue inhaler, and your side effects. Talk with your doctor before switching.
Fast-acting rescue inhalers
Most rescue inhalers are short-acting beta-agonists. Generic albuterol inhalers (often sold as Ventolin or Proventil) work like ProAir and are usually less expensive. If albuterol causes shakiness or a racing heart, levalbuterol (brand name Xopenex) can be easier on those symptoms for some people. Another option for COPD flare-ups is ipratropium (Atrovent), which works differently and may be used alongside a short-acting beta-agonist.
Rescue inhalers are for sudden symptoms only. If you’re needing one more than twice a week for daily symptoms, that’s a sign you need a change in your daily controller therapy—not just a new rescue inhaler.
Controller inhalers and combination treatments
Controller medications reduce inflammation and prevent attacks over time. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) like fluticasone (Flovent) or budesonide are the backbone for many people with asthma. For people who need extra help, combination inhalers pair an ICS with a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA). Common combos include Symbicort and Breo—these are not for immediate relief but cut down attacks and rescue inhaler use when taken regularly.
If you have moderate to severe asthma, biologic injections (for example, treatments targeting allergic or eosinophilic asthma) may be suggested by a specialist. Those are prescription-only and used when inhalers aren’t enough.
Nebulizers are another route. They deliver the same medications as inhalers but in a machine that turns medicine into a mist. Nebulizers are useful for people who have trouble with inhaler technique or during severe flare-ups at home.
Side effects differ across options—tremor and palpitations from short-acting beta-agonists, throat irritation or hoarseness with steroids, and dry mouth with anticholinergics. Always weigh benefits and side effects with your clinician.
Practical tips: get a confirmed diagnosis (spirometry or peak flow), keep an action plan, and track how often you need rescue meds. If cost is an issue, ask about generic albuterol, manufacturer coupons, or pharmacy discount programs. If you consider buying medication online, use licensed pharmacies, keep your prescription, and avoid sites that don’t require a prescription.
Want a quick next step? Note how often you use ProAir in a week and bring that number to your next visit. That simple fact helps your provider decide whether a different rescue inhaler, a controller change, or specialist referral is the right move.
