Pro Air and albuterol are both short-acting beta-agonist inhalers used for the treatment of asthma and COPD. While they contain the same active drug, albuterol, there are some key differences between Pro Air and generic albuterol.
What is Pro Air?
Pro Air HFA is the brand name for albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol. It is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals and was approved by the FDA in 2015. Pro Air contains 90 mcg of albuterol sulfate per inhalation.
Pro Air uses hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) as its propellant. The medication comes in an pressurized metered dose inhaler (MDI) that delivers a pre-measured dose of albuterol with each actuation. It does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are ozone-depleting substances found in older inhalers.
What is albuterol?
Albuterol (also known as salbutamol outside the USA) is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist. It works by relaxing the muscles around the airways, allowing the airways to open up and making breathing easier.
Albuterol provides quick relief of asthma symptoms and bronchospasm caused by conditions like exercise-induced bronchospasm and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is one of the most commonly prescribed rescue medications for asthma.
The usual dosage for albuterol inhalers is 1-2 puffs every 4-6 hours as needed. The effects of inhaled albuterol last for 4-6 hours.
Are Pro Air and albuterol the same medication?
Yes, Pro Air and albuterol contain the exact same active drug – albuterol sulfate. So in terms of the core medicine that treats asthma symptoms, Pro Air and albuterol are identical.
The main differences between Pro Air vs generic albuterol are:
- Branding – Pro Air is a branded version, while albuterol is the generic name
- Inactive ingredients – The inactive components and propellants may differ
- Inhaler device – Pro Air uses a different type of inhaler device compared to some generic versions
- Cost – Brand name Pro Air is usually more expensive than generic albuterol
Pro Air vs albuterol ingredients
The active ingredient in both Pro Air and albuterol inhalers is albuterol sulfate. Each actuation (puff) of Pro Air contains 108 mcg of albuterol sulfate, which is equivalent to 90 mcg of albuterol base.
Generic albuterol inhalers also contain 90 mcg of albuterol base per puff. So the medications provide the same dose of the active drug.
However, Pro Air and generic albuterol inhalers differ in their inactive ingredients:
| Ingredients | Pro Air | Generic albuterol |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Albuterol sulfate | Albuterol sulfate |
| Inactive ingredients | Norflurane (propellant) | Varies, may include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) |
The main inactive ingredient difference is the type of propellant used. Pro Air uses norflurane, while some generic albuterol inhalers may still use CFC propellants.
Pro Air vs albuterol inhaler devices
In addition to formulation differences, Pro Air and generic albuterol use different inhaler devices:
- Pro Air – Uses a Teva-branded metered-dose inhaler device
- Generic albuterol – May use different types of inhaler devices depending on the manufacturer, including:
- Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)
- Nebulizer solutions
The different devices may produce small variations in the amount of medication delivered to the lungs. Your doctor may recommend one type of inhaler device over another depending on factors like your age, medication technique, and lung function.
Is Pro Air better than generic albuterol?
There is no definitive evidence that Pro Air works better than generic immediate-release albuterol for treating asthma symptoms. Both medications contain the same active drug and provide the same clinical effects.
Some users report that brand name medications like Pro Air feel stronger or work better than generics. However, studies show that generic albuterol performs equivalently to brand name albuterol in terms of bronchodilation and safety.
One potential advantage of Pro Air is that it uses an environmentally-friendly HFA propellant, whereas some generic albuterol inhalers may still use ozone-depleting CFC propellants.
Pro Air vs albuterol cost
The most significant difference between Pro Air and generic albuterol is cost. Pro Air is substantially more expensive than generic albuterol.
The table below compares average retail prices for Pro Air vs albuterol inhalers without insurance coverage:
| Medication | Retail cost* |
|---|---|
| Pro Air HFA (8.5g inhaler) | $85 |
| Generic albuterol HFA (8.5g inhaler) | $25-40 |
*Prices are national averages for the cash/uninsured cost of a single inhaler as of October 2022. Actual costs vary between pharmacies.
Due to the large price difference, most doctors prescribe generic albuterol instead of brand name Pro Air. Therapeutically, generic albuterol works just as well for a fraction of the cost.
If cost is a concern, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about switching to a less expensive generic albuterol inhaler. Just make sure it contains the same active drug and dose as your current inhaler.
Pro Air vs albuterol side effects
Pro Air and generic albuterol cause the same side effects because they contain the same medication. Common side effects of albuterol include:
- Shakiness
- Nervousness
- Headache
- Rapid heartbeat
- Muscle cramps
Rare but more serious side effects can include chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, pounding heart, and shortness of breath. Seek prompt medical care if you experience severe side effects after using Pro Air or albuterol.
Pro Air vs albuterol: Which should I use?
For most patients, generic albuterol provides equal asthma relief compared to the brand name Pro Air. The active drug and therapeutic effect are the same between the two medications.
Generic albuterol is also significantly cheaper than Pro Air, making it the preferred option for many patients and healthcare providers.
However, some people find that they prefer using branded inhalers like Pro Air over generics. If you feel your current generic albuterol inhaler isn’t working as well, talk to your doctor. They may recommend switching to Pro Air or another branded inhaler option.
Make sure to use the inhaler device properly so you get the full effects of the medication. Using a spacer may also improve drug delivery to your lungs.
Conclusion
In summary, Pro Air and albuterol contain the same active ingredient – albuterol sulfate. Both medications provide fast relief for asthma symptoms when used as prescribed.
The main differences are cost (Pro Air is more expensive), propellants, and the delivery device. But there is no evidence Pro Air relieves asthma better than generic albuterol.
Talk to your doctor if your current albuterol inhaler isn’t giving you the symptom relief you need. They can determine if you need a change in medication, dosage, or delivery device.