# Is Albuterol addictive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 30, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720 "2007-12-30T19:04:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720/21 "2012-05-30T16:46:52Z")
I’m aware it’s a zombie, but funny timing, as I was just ruminating with my wife last night in that I wonder why albuterol isn’t OTC? Despite the post above, I’ve never ran into anyone who uses albuterol inhalers to remark or complain about addictive, dependent or withdrawal symptoms. There’s OTC drugs I find equivalent, or even more potent to metabolic/physiological effects such as heart rate, drowsiness or even allergies (my daughter is allergic to Ibuprofen/Aspirin/Salicylic Acid) . Benadryl is evil (although necessary), and as I mentioned above, 5 years ago, congestion relief nose sprays like Afrin™ creates a significantly large and quick dependency. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720/22 "2012-05-30T17:01:20Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > I wonder why albuterol isn’t OTC? One big reason is that many folks would just use albuterol for their asthma, rather than getting directed by medical providers to use maintenance meds, which will reduce longterm morbidity and mortality from asthma. Albuterol alone opens up the airways for a short while, but does nothing for the chronic inflammation in the bronchioles, nor for the thick mucus plugging them up. Those factors are what trigger future attacks and actual gradual lung destruction. Any asthmatic who uses albuterol (or other rescue inhaler) more than once a week really needs a maintenance medication to keep the bronchioles healthy. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720/23 "2012-05-30T19:03:44Z")
What QtM said. I use Albuterol, if you can call it actual “use”. In another thread today I said that due to my maintenance drug (Advair) I almost never, ever use it. Can’t remember the last time I took a puff. Afrin - been there, done that. Now I have maintenance for my nose and lungs. You can pry my Benadryl out of my cold dead hands though. To the zombifyer - have you tried Maxair (Pirbuterol)? I was on that before my insurance stopped covering it. ---
**Author:** ![Rhaegar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Rhaegar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhaegar)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720/24 "2012-05-30T19:29:45Z")
I have never heard of Albuterol being addictive. Using too much of it though can cause jitteriness, palpitations and even low potassium levels. Perhaps your child is just overly fearful of having an asthmatic attack, or she may just enjoy pushing on the actuator. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720/25 "2012-05-30T19:43:18Z")
Albuterol isn’t addictive. But some people may use it in a compulsive fashion. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720/26 "2012-05-30T21:09:49Z")
Understood. I only really need to use mine if I’m around cats. Major cat allergies going on all up in here, so it’s nothing chronic in and of itself. Still, I have to get a 'script from my GP anytime I need a refill or it expires. PITA. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720/27 "2012-05-31T00:03:41Z")
My doctor gave me 3 available refills for Albuterol, so I’m guessing it can’t be particularly addictive. It’s also, frankly, the most miraculous medicine I’ve ever had. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albuterol-addictive/431720.md?page=1)