Two medicines, side by side
Albuterol vs amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Albuterol is labeled for asthma; amphetamine/dextroamphetamine for adhd. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of albuterol since 1981 and of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine since 1960. Pharmacies paid $0.288 per albuterol sulfate 2 mg tablet and $0.233 per dextroamp-amphetamin 10 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 amphetamine/dextroamphetamine a central nervous system stimulant.
Check it at the source: the albuterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2026); the amphetamine/dextroamphetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026).
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 amphetamine and dextroamphetamine record
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) · label of August 4, 2026
ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SACCHARATE, AMPHETAMINE ASPARTATE, DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE AND AMPHETAMINE SULFATE TABLETS has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDextroamphetamine Saccharate, Amphetamine Aspartate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate and Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets (Mixed Salts of a Single Amphetamine Product) are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 19, 1960
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.233 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 23
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Albuterol label of April 30, 2026, Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine label of August 4, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do albuterol and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine a central nervous system stimulant.
Only the amphetamine/dextroamphetamine label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: albuterol since 1989; amphetamine/dextroamphetamine since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: albuterol none; amphetamine/dextroamphetamine CII.
| Albuterol | Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma | ADHD |
| Pharmacologic class | beta2-Adrenergic Agonist | Central Nervous System Stimulant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) for d-amphetamine was shorter than the t 1/2 of the l-isomer (9.77 to 11 hours vs. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 1, 1981 | January 19, 1960 |
| First generic approved | January 30, 1989 | February 11, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 40 labelers | 25 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.288 per tablet (Albuterol sulfate 2 mg tablet) | $0.233 per tablet (Dextroamp-amphetamin 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -38% | -0.5% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | Resolved | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 23 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 292,136 | 41,250 |
| DEA schedule | none | CII |
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 do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine label, warningsIf concomitant use of dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets with other serotonergic drugs or CYP2D6 inhibitors is clinically warranted, initiate dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets with lower doses, monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome during drug …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to albuterol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions