Two medicines, side by side
Albuterol vs alogliptin
Albuterol is labeled for asthma; alogliptin for type 2 diabetes. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of albuterol since 1981 and of alogliptin since 2013. Pharmacies paid $0.288 per albuterol sulfate 2 mg tablet and $4.96 per alogliptin 12.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and alogliptin a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the albuterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2026); the alogliptin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 28, 2025).
Highlights of the albuterol record
Albuterol (Ventolin) · label of April 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAlbuterol Inhalation Solution is indicated for the relief of bronchospasm in patients 2 to 12 years of age with asthma (reversible obstructive airway disease).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 1, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 40 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.288 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- Resolved
- Recalls
- 20
Highlights of the alogliptin record
Alogliptin (Nesina) · label of February 28, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsNESINA ® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. NESINA is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: Should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 25, 2013
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $4.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Albuterol label of April 30, 2026, Alogliptin label of February 28, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do albuterol and alogliptin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and alogliptin a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor.
Generics: albuterol since 1989; alogliptin none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Albuterol | Alogliptin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | beta2-Adrenergic Agonist | Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Increased concentrations of the incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are released into the bloodstream from the small intestine in response to meals. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Elimination NESINA was eliminated with a mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of approximately 21 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 1, 1981 | January 25, 2013 |
| First generic approved | January 30, 1989 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 40 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.288 per tablet (Albuterol sulfate 2 mg tablet) | $4.96 per tablet (Alogliptin 12.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -38% | +9% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | Resolved | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 292,136 | 3,409 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to albuterol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions