What Is Airsupra? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Airsupra is a prescription rescue inhaler that combines Albuterol (a bronchodilator) and Budesonide (an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid) to treat asthma symptoms and reduce exacerbations in adults 18 and older.

What Is Airsupra?

Airsupra is the brand name for a combination of Albuterol sulfate (90 mcg) and Budesonide (80 mcg) per actuation, delivered as a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). It is manufactured by AstraZeneca and was FDA-approved in January 2023.

It belongs to the drug class known as antiasthmatic combinations — specifically, a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (SABA) combined with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Airsupra is not a controlled substance.

What makes Airsupra unique is that it's the first rescue inhaler to include an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid alongside the standard bronchodilator. Traditional rescue inhalers like ProAir, Ventolin, and Proventil contain only Albuterol — they open your airways but don't address the underlying inflammation that causes asthma symptoms.

There is currently no generic version of Airsupra available.

What Is Airsupra Used For?

Airsupra is FDA-approved for two uses in patients aged 18 and older:

1. As-needed treatment or prevention of bronchoconstriction — Use it when you feel asthma symptoms coming on (wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath) or before activities that trigger your symptoms, like exercise.
2. Reduction of the risk of exacerbations — Clinical trials showed that using Airsupra as a rescue inhaler reduced the risk of severe asthma flare-ups compared to using Albuterol alone.

Airsupra is not approved for children under 18 and is not indicated for COPD or other lung conditions.

How Is Airsupra Taken?

Airsupra comes as a metered-dose inhaler containing 120 inhalations per canister (10.7g).

Standard Dosing

• Take 2 inhalations (puffs) as needed when asthma symptoms occur
• Can also be used before activities that trigger symptoms
• Maximum dose: 12 inhalations (6 doses) per 24 hours

How to Use the Inhaler

1. Shake well before each use
2. Prime before first use — release 4 test sprays into the air, away from your face
3. Re-prime if not used for more than 7 days or if dropped
4. Breathe out fully, then inhale slowly while pressing down on the canister
5. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly
6. Wait about 1 minute between puffs if taking 2 inhalations
7. Rinse your mouth with water after use — spit, don't swallow — to reduce the risk of thrush

Storage

• Store in the foil pouch until ready to use
• Discard 12 months after opening the foil pouch or when the dose counter reaches 0, whichever comes first

Who Should Not Take Airsupra?

Do not use Airsupra if you have a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to Albuterol sulfate, Budesonide, or any of the inactive ingredients in the inhaler.

Use with caution — and discuss with your doctor first — if you have:

• Heart problems or high blood pressure
• Seizure disorders
• Thyroid problems
• Diabetes (Albuterol can raise blood sugar)
• Low potassium levels
• Liver problems (Budesonide is processed by the liver)
• Tuberculosis, herpes eye infections, or other untreated infections

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. It's unknown whether Airsupra harms a developing fetus or passes into breast milk. For more details on potential risks, read our side effects guide.

How Much Does Airsupra Cost?

Without insurance, Airsupra costs between $479 and $737 per inhaler, depending on the pharmacy. It's one of the more expensive rescue inhalers on the market because it's brand-only with no generic alternative.

Insurance Coverage

Approximately 80% of commercially insured patients are in plans that cover Airsupra. However, some insurers:

• Require prior authorization
• Require step therapy (trying standard Albuterol first)
• Place it on a specialty tier with higher copays

Medicare Part D coverage varies by plan.

Ways to Save

• SUPRA Savings Card — Commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0, with maximum savings of $130 per inhaler. Enroll at airsupra.com/savings-card or call 1-866-480-0030. Not valid for government insurance.
• AZ&Me Prescription Savings Program — For uninsured patients or those on Medicare Part D who can't afford their medication. Based on income eligibility. Apply at azandmeapp.com.
• AstraZeneca Direct — Launched October 2025, eligible patients can order Airsupra for about $249 per inhaler (roughly 50% off list price) with home delivery via azpatientdirect.com.

For a complete breakdown of savings options, see our guide to saving money on Airsupra.

Final Thoughts

Airsupra represents a meaningful shift in how rescue inhalers work — combining quick-acting relief with anti-inflammatory protection in a single device. For adults with asthma who want more than just symptom relief from their rescue inhaler, it's worth discussing with your doctor.

The main barriers are cost and availability. There's no generic, the cash price is steep, and not every pharmacy stocks it. But with savings programs and tools like Medfinder to check pharmacy stock, most patients can access it if it's the right fit for their treatment plan.

Want to understand how Airsupra works at a deeper level? Read our mechanism of action explainer.