They're produced by an industry-leading manufacturer, but one U.S. agency warns of a defect concerning this well known inhaler prescription.
More Than a Million Inhalers Were Just Recalled Nationwide
Published on May 22, 2025
Wildfire events have become an all-too-common occurrence in recent years—and national weather experts predict that number could rise beyond the historical average in 2025. With wildfires come air quality concerns, particularly for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
More than 23 million adults and nearly 5 million children in the U.S. have asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, with many using inhalers to manage their symptoms. As a chronic disease, asthma symptoms can be brought on by seasonal allergies, pollution, exercise, or even weather changes.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide recall for 1,043,535 canisters of Airsupra (albuterol and budesonide) inhalation aerosol, a commonly prescribed inhaler for asthma.
The recalled inhalers were manufactured by AstraZeneca, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies globally. In 2024, the company was praised after announcing it would cap out-of-pocket costs for their inhaler medication products at $35 per month.
The reason behind the recall is listed as “Defective delivery system,” though a further explanation regarding the defect was not provided in the report.
The product details include, as listed by the FDA:
Airsupra (albuterol and budesonide) inhalation aerosol, packaged in 20-inhalation canister (NDC 0310-9080-12)
- 90 mcg/80 mcg per inhalation
- Lot Numbers and Expiration Dates: 6270044C00, 6270040D00, 6270034E00, Exp Date 10/2026; 6270053C00, 6270045C00, 6270047C00, 6270056C00, 6270052C00, 6270063E00 Exp 11/30/2026; 6270064C00, 6270071D00, 6270075D00, 6270075F00 Exp Date 12/31/2026; 6270107C00, Exp Date 9/30/2027
- Rx only
- Manufactured for: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, DE 19850
- By: AstraZeneca Dunkerque Production (AZDP), Dunkerque, France, Product of France
- 807,837 total canisters
Airsupra (albuterol and budesonide) inhalation aerosol, packaged in 28-inhalation canister (NDC 0310-9080-28)
- 90 mcg/80 mcg per inhalation
- Lot Numbers and Expiration Dates: Lot 6270019E00, Exp Date 7/31/2025; 6270021D00, Exp 8/31/2025; 6270095C00, Exp 2/28/2026
- Rx only
- Manufactured for: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, DE 19850
- By: AstraZeneca Dunkerque Production (AZDP), Dunkerque, France, Product of France
- 235,698 total canisters
According to University of Michigan Health, Airsupra contains two types of medications—one that relaxes airway muscles for better breathing and one to reduce lung inflammation. It’s “the first and only dual-action asthma rescue inhaler FDA-approved to treat symptoms and help prevent asthma attacks,” per the medication’s website.
Though the recall was initiated last week on May 14, the FDA officially designated the recall as a Class II event Wednesday. Class II recalls contain products that could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.
AstraZeneca offers consumers an opportunity to report adverse reactions or product quality complaints via their website.
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