FDA Flags Shortage of Key Drug Used to Treat Breathing Problems

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Md., on Aug. 29, 2020. Andrew Kelly/Reuters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged a shortage of albuterol, a medication used to treat some breathing conditions, including asthma, after its manufacturer stopped producing it.

“FDA is working to address a shortage of a particular form of albuterol ... a medication that is used to treat breathing conditions. It is important to note that this shortage does not impact albuterol inhalers for personal use,” according to a post from the FDA on Wednesday evening.