Albuterol Side Effects
Brand Names: AccuNeb, Proventil Repetabs, Proventil HFA, Vospire ER, Ventolin HFA, Airet, ProAir HFA, Proventil, Ventolin
Please note - some side effects for Albuterol may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
Side Effects of Albuterol - for the consumer
Albuterol
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol:Dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore or dry throat; tremor; trouble sleeping; vomiting.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; ear pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsened trouble breathing; pounding in the chest; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe headache or dizziness; unusual hoarseness; wheezing.
Albuterol Aerosol
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol Aerosol:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol Aerosol:Cough; headache; nausea; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore or dry throat; tremor; trouble sleeping; unusual taste in mouth; vomiting.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsened trouble breathing; pounding in the chest; severe headache or dizziness; unusual hoarseness; wheezing.
Albuterol/Ipratropium Aerosol
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol/Ipratropium Aerosol:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol/Ipratropium Aerosol:Coughing; dizziness; dry mouth; headache; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore throat.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsening breathing problems; pounding in the chest; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms or legs; tremors; unexplained hoarseness; wheezing.
Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol Controlled-Release Tablets:Dizziness; excitement; headache; hyperactivity; muscle cramps; nausea; nervousness; shakiness; sleeplessness; tremors.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast heartbeat; headache; increased difficulty breathing; itching; pounding in the chest; tremors; weakness; wheezing.
Albuterol Extended-Release Tablets
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol Extended-Release Tablets:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol Extended-Release Tablets:Dizziness; excitability; headache; nausea; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore or dry throat; tremor; trouble sleeping; vomiting.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; ear pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsened trouble breathing; pounding in the chest; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe headache or dizziness; unusual hoarseness; wheezing.
Albuterol Solution
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol Solution:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol Solution:Cough; dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore or dry throat; tremor; trouble sleeping; unusual taste in mouth; vomiting.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; ear pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsened trouble breathing; pounding in the chest; severe headache or dizziness; unusual hoarseness; wheezing.
Albuterol/Ipratropium Solution
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol/Ipratropium Solution:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol/Ipratropium Solution:Coughing; dizziness; dry mouth; headache; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore throat.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsening breathing problems; pounding in the chest; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms or legs; tremors; unexplained hoarseness; wheezing.
Albuterol Syrup
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Albuterol Syrup:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Albuterol Syrup:Dizziness; excitability; headache; increased appetite; nausea; nervousness; sinus inflammation; sore or dry throat; tremor; trouble sleeping; vomiting.
TopSevere allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; ear pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsened trouble breathing; pounding in the chest; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe headache or dizziness; unusual hoarseness; wheezing.
For the professional
Albuterol
In clinical trials, the most frequent adverse reactions to Albuterol tablets were:
| Reaction | Percent Incidence |
|---|---|
| Central nervous system | |
| Nervousness | 20% |
| Tremor | 20% |
| Headache | 7% |
| Sleeplessness | 2% |
| Weakness | 2% |
| Dizziness | 2% |
| Drowsiness | <1% |
| Restlessness | <1% |
| Irritability | <1% |
| Cardiovascular | |
| Tachycardia | 5% |
| Palpitations | 5% |
| Chest discomfort | <1% |
| Flushing | <1% |
| Musculoskeletal | |
| Muscle cramps | 3% |
| Gastrointestinal | |
| Nausea | 2% |
| Genitourinary | |
| Difficulty in micturition | <1% |
Rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, and oropharyngeal edema have been reported after the use of Albuterol.
In addition, Albuterol, like other sympathomimetic agents, can cause adverse reactions such as hypertension, angina, vomiting, vertigo, central nervous system stimulation, unusual taste, and drying or irritation of the oropharynx.
The reactions are generally transient in nature, and it is usually not necessary to discontinue treatment with Albuterol tablets. In selected cases, however, dosage may be reduced temporarily; after the reaction has subsided, dosage should be increased in small increments to the optimal dosage.
TopAlbuterol Extended-release tablets
The adverse reactions to Albuterol are similar in nature to reactions to other sympathomimetic agents.
The most frequent adverse reactions to Albuterol are nervousness, tremor, headache, tachycardia, and palpitations.
Less frequent adverse reactions are muscle cramps, insomnia, nausea, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, restlessness, irritability, chest discomfort, and difficulty in micturition.
Rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, and oropharyngeal edema have been reported after the use of Albuterol.
In addition, Albuterol, like other sympathomimetic agents, can cause adverse reactions such as hypertension, angina, vomiting, vertigo, central nervous system stimulation, unusual taste, and drying or irritation of the oropharynx.
In controlled clinical trials of adult patients conducted in the United States, the following incidence of adverse events was reported:
| Albuterol Sulfate Extended-Release Tablets | Theophylline | Other Beta-Agonists | Placebo | |
| Event | (n = 330) | (n = 197) | (n = 20) | (n = 178) |
| Tremor | 24.2% | 6.1% | 35% | 1.1% |
| Headache | 18.8% | 26.9% | 35% | 20.8% |
| Nervousness | 8.5% | 5.1% | 10% | 2.8% |
| Nausea/Vomiting | 4.2% | 19.8% | 5% | 3.9% |
| Tachycardia | 2.7% | 0.5% | 5% | 0% |
| Muscle Cramps | 2.7% | 0.5% | 5% | 0.6% |
| Palpitations | 2.4% | 0.5% | 0% | 1.1% |
| Insomnia | 2.4% | 6.1% | 0% | 1.7% |
| Dizziness | 1.5% | 2% | 0% | 5.1% |
| Somnolence | 0.3% | 1% | 0% | 0.6% |
A trend was observed among patients treated with Albuterol sulfate extended-release tablets toward increasing frequency of muscle cramps with increasing patient age (12 to 20 years, 1.2%; 21 to 30 years, 2.6%; 31 to 40 years, 6.9%; 41 to 50 years, 6.9%), compared with no such events in the placebo group. Also observed was an increasing frequency of tremor with increasing patient age (12 to 20 years, 29.4%; 21 to 30 years, 29.9%; 31 to 40 years, 27.6%; 41 to 50 years, 37.9%), compared to 2.9% or less in the placebo group.
The reactions are generally transient in nature, and it is usually not necessary to discontinue treatment with Albuterol sulfate extended-release tablets.
TopAlbuterol Oral solution
In clinical trials, the most frequent adverse reactions to Albuterol sulfate syrup (oral solution) in adults and older children were:
| Reaction | Percent Incidence |
| Central nervous system | |
| Tremor | 10% |
| Nervousness | 9% |
| Shakiness | 9% |
| Headache | 4% |
| Dizziness | 3% |
| Hyperactivity | 2% |
| Excitement | 2% |
| Sleeplessness | 1% |
| Disturbed sleep | <1% |
| Irritable behavior | <1% |
| Dilated pupils | <1% |
| Weakness | <1% |
| Cardiovascular | |
| Tachycardia | 1% |
| Palpitations | <1% |
| Sweating | <1% |
| Chest pain | <1% |
| Ear, nose, and throat | |
| Epistaxis | 1% |
| Gastrointestinal | |
| Increased appetite | 3% |
| Epigastric pain | <1% |
| Stomachache | <1% |
| Musculoskeletal | |
| Muscle spasm | <1% |
| Respiratory | |
| Cough | <1% |
In clinical trials, the following adverse reactions to Albuterol sulfate syrup (oral solution) were noted more frequently in young children 2 to 6 years of age than in older children and adults:
| Reaction | Percent Incidence |
| Central nervous system | |
| Excitement | 20% |
| Nervousness | 15% |
| Hyperkinesia | 4% |
| Sleeplessness | 2% |
| Emotion lability | 1% |
| Fatigue | 1% |
| Cardiovascular | |
| Tachycardia | 2% |
| Pallor | 1% |
| Gastrointestinal | |
| Gastrointestinal symptoms | 2% |
| Loss of appetite | 1% |
| Ophthalmolologic | |
| Conjuctivitis | 1% |
Cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, hoarseness, oropharyngeal edema, and arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, extrasystoles) have been reported after the use of Albuterol sulfate syrup (oral solution).
In addition, Albuterol, like other sympathomimetic agents, can cause adverse reactions such as hypertension, angina, vomiting, vertigo, central nervous system stimulation, unusual taste, and drying or irritation of the oropharynx.
The reactions are generally transient in nature, and it is usually not necessary to discontinue treatment with Albuterol sulfate syrup (oral solution). In selected cases, however, dosage may be reduced temporarily; after the reaction has subsided, dosage should be increased in small increments to the optimal dosage.
TopMore resources:
Proventil Repetabs Controlled-Release Tablets
Vospire ER Extended-Release Tablets
Proventil Repetabs Oral/Injection - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
Albuterol - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
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