What is the active ingredient in ProAir HFA?

ProAir HFA is a brand name for a medication primarily used as a bronchodilator to relieve symptoms of bronchospasm in conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The active ingredient in ProAir HFA is albuterol sulfate, which belongs to a class of medications known as short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonists.

Albuterol works by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the airway smooth muscle, leading to relaxation and dilation of the airways. This action allows for easier airflow and helps alleviate wheezing, shortness of breath, and other respiratory symptoms.

In contrast, levabuterol is a less commonly used medication that is another type of bronchodilator, but it is not the active ingredient in ProAir HFA. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation in the airways but does not act as a bronchodilator like albuterol. Formoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist that is utilized for different therapeutic purposes and is not the active component of ProAir HFA. Therefore, the correct choice is albuterol sulfate, as it is the ingredient that directly contributes to the therapeutic effects of the medication.