SN instructed about Ventolin HFA ( albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol ) is a bronchodilator used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. Ventolin HFA is also used to prevent exercise - induced bronchospasm. Ventolin HFA is an albuterol inhaler that helps relieve bronchospasm and its symptoms. Ventolin HFA acts within minutes, and symptom relief should last 4 to 6 hours. Albuterol treats bronchospasm by quickly opening the airways within your lungs to ease breathing during an asthma attack.