Albuterol shortage: practical steps when your rescue inhaler is hard to find

Not being able to refill a rescue inhaler feels scary. If albuterol is low at local pharmacies, you can still take smart, safe steps to protect your breathing and avoid a crisis. Here’s what to do right now and how to plan while stocks are limited.

Quick practical steps today

Call several nearby pharmacies before you go. Stocks can vary between chains and independents. Ask the pharmacist if a pharmacy has a generic (often called salbutamol outside the U.S.) or a different brand in stock. If you have multiple pharmacies near you, one may have a single canister saved for emergencies.

Contact your prescriber. Tell them you can’t get your inhaler. They can authorize an alternative rescue medicine, send out a prescription to a different pharmacy, or give guidance on safely extending your supply. Don’t change doses or ration without asking a clinician.

Sign up for alerts. Manufacturers and some pharmacies offer back-in-stock texts or emails. The FDA (or your local drug regulator) often lists current shortages and expected timelines. Bookmark that page and check it once a day rather than hunting in person each hour.

Alternatives and safety tips

Your doctor might suggest levalbuterol (a related bronchodilator) or use of nebulized bronchodilator solution if available. These require prescriptions and sometimes different equipment, so ask your provider and pharmacist about how to use them safely.

Improve how much you get from each puff. Using a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler reduces wasted medicine and helps the drug reach your lungs. If you don’t have a spacer, ask the pharmacist which portable spacers are suitable right now.

Be ready with an action plan. If you have an asthma or COPD action plan, review it. Keep rescue numbers and when to seek emergency care handy. If symptoms worsen — increased shortness of breath, trouble speaking, bluish lips, or no relief after rescue doses — seek emergency care right away.

Be careful buying online. Only use licensed pharmacies that require a prescription and show clear contact info and credentials. Avoid sellers offering to ship prescription inhalers without a prescription. If you order online, check reviews and pharmacy verification services before buying.

Keep your routine meds up to date. Take your daily controller medication exactly as prescribed. Good control reduces the need for rescue inhaler use and stretches your supplies during shortages.

If you want more detail about other inhaler options and real-world tips, see our piece on budesonide-formoterol and daily inhaler routines. Above all, stay in touch with your care team — they can arrange safe alternatives and help you avoid risky substitutions.