Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to albuterol
10 other medicines are given the same way (respiratory (inhalation)) and in the same FDA class as albuterol or labeled mainly for the same use (asthma); 6 are in its class, beta2-adrenergic agonists: fluticasone and salmeterol, budesonide and formoterol, fluticasone and vilanterol, formoterol and mometasone and 2 more; the others include 2 corticosteroids and 1 catecholamine (FDA labels read October 8, 2026). In the same class, the lowest pharmacy cost is $1.07 per unit (Fluticasone-salmeterol 100-50) (what pharmacies paid in the NADAC survey; strengths differ).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as albuterol?
Asthma lists all 37 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (respiratory (inhalation)) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuterolbeta2-adrenergic agonist | this medicine | 33 labelers | $0.288 per tablet 2 mg tablet | No | Resolved |
| Fluticasone and salmeterolbeta2-adrenergic agonist · same class | Asthma | 8 labelers | $1.07 per unit 100-50 | No | A presentation being discontinued |
| Budesonide and formoterolbeta2-adrenergic agonist · same class | Asthma | 2 labelers | $17.26 per gram 160-4.5 | No | No current entry |
| Fluticasone and vilanterolbeta2-adrenergic agonist · same class | Asthma | none listed | $3.90 per unit 100-25 | No | No current entry |
| Formoterol and mometasonebeta2-adrenergic agonist · same class | Asthma | none listed | $25.22 per gram 100 mcg-5 mcg inhaler | No | No current entry |
| Budesonide and formoterol and glycopyrrolatecholinergic muscarinic antagonist · same class | Asthma | none listed | $61.41 per gram 160-9-4.8 mcg | No | No current entry |
| Fluticasone and umeclidinium and vilanterolbeta2-adrenergic agonist · same class | Asthma | none listed | $11.12 per unit 100-62.5-25 | No | No current entry |
| Budesonidecorticosteroid | Asthma | 13 labelers | $0.676 per mL 0.5 mg/2 mL suspension | No | No current entry |
| Beclomethasonecorticosteroid | Asthma | 2 labelers | $20.57 per gram 40 mcg | No | No current entry |
| Ciclesonide | Asthma | none listed | $42.97 per gram 160 mcg inhaler | No | No current entry |
| Epinephrinecatecholamine | Asthma | none listed | n/a | No | A presentation being discontinued |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Albuterol: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls
- Albuterol vs budesonide
- two records side by side
- Beclomethasone vs albuterol
- two records side by side