Proventil Side Effects
Generic name: albuterol
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 24, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Proventil Side Effects associated with albuterol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Proventil.
Applies to albuterol: oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of Proventil
Along with its needed effects, albuterol (the active ingredient contained in Proventil) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking albuterol:
More common side effects
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Less common side effects
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
Rare side effects
- cough
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- hives or welts
- hoarseness
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- noisy breathing
- redness of the skin
- shortness of breath
- skin rash
- slow or irregular breathing
- swelling of the mouth or throat
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
Incidence not known
- agitation
- anxiety
- arm, back, or jaw pain
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- confusion
- convulsions
- extra heartbeats
- fainting
- hallucinations
- headache
- irritability
- lightheadedness
- mood or mental changes
- muscle pain or cramps
- muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
- nervousness
- nightmares
- pounding in the ears
- restlessness
- sudden loss of consciousness
- sweating
- total body jerking
- unusual feeling of excitement
- vomiting
Other side effects of Proventil
Some side effects of albuterol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common side effects
- dizziness
- feeling of warmth
- irritability
- nausea
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- sleeplessness
- trouble with holding or releasing urine
- trouble sleeping
- unable to sleep
Rare side effects
- sleepiness
- unusual drowsiness
Incidence not known
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- gagging
- rough, scratchy sound to voice
- sensation of spinning
- tightness in the throat
For healthcare professionals
Applies to albuterol: compounding powder, inhalation aerosol, inhalation aerosol with adapter, inhalation capsule, inhalation powder, inhalation solution, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
General adverse events
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are: Taste alteration (bad, unpleasant and unusual taste), mouth and throat irritation, fine tremor (usually of the hands), nausea, sweating, restlessness, headache and dizziness. These undesirable effects may subside on continuation of treatment.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Very common (10% or more): Peripheral vasodilation, increase in heart rate
- Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, tachycardia, pallor
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, extra systoles)
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiovascular collapse, thrombopenia
- Frequency not reported: Angina, hypertension, hypotension, flushing[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 18.8%), tremor (up to 24.2%), excitement (up to 20%), nervousness (up to 15%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Migraine, dizziness, shakiness, hyperkinesia, emotional lability
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, irritability
- Frequency not reported: Central nervous system stimulation[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Skin/Appendage Infection (1.7%), pruritus, rash, erythema, urticaria, angioedema, sweating[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Common (1% to 10%): Gastroenteritis, nausea, oropharyngeal pain, vomiting, increased appetite
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epigastric pain, stomach ache, loss of appetite
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Sore mouth
- Frequency not reported: Oropharyngeal edema, throat irritation, altered taste, glossitis, tongue ulceration, gagging, drying or irritation of the oropharynx[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Nephritis
- Frequency not reported: Difficulty in micturition[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): angioedema, urticaria, bronchospasm, hypotension and collapse[Ref]
Immunologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Lymphadenopathy[Ref]
Local
- Common (1% to 10%): Application site reaction (mouth and throat irritation, burning sensation of the tongue)
- Frequency not reported: Slight pain or stinging (IM injection)[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, muscles cramps
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Fine tremor (particularly of hands)
- Frequency not reported: Myoclonus[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Cold symptoms, flue syndrome, pain, pyrexia, hyperactivity, excitement
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis, fatigue, otitis media,
- Frequency not reported: Weakness[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Tenseness
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sleepiness, sleep disturbance
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hallucinations
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Insomnia[Ref]
Respiratory
- Common (1% to 10%): Asthma exacerbation (13%), chest pain, bronchitis, sinus headache, upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, cough
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Paradoxical bronchospasm, bronchospasm
- Frequency not reported: Aggravated bronchospasm, asthma exacerbation, chest discomfort, pulmonary edema[Ref]
Ocular
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dilated pupils, conjunctivitis[Ref]
Metabolic
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, increase of insulin, free fatty acids, glycerol and ketone bodies
- Postmarketing reports: Metabolic acidosis, lactic acidosis[Ref]
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Frequently asked questions
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More about Proventil (albuterol)
- Check interactions
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- Reviews (8)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (5)
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
- Proventil drug information
- Proventil (Albuterol Inhalation) (Advanced Reading)
- Proventil (Albuterol Oral) (Advanced Reading)
- Proventil Repetabs (Advanced Reading)
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Professional resources
- Albuterol Sulfate, Levalbuterol Hydrochloride, Levalbuterol Tartrate (Systemic, Oral Inhalation) monograph
- Albuterol Syrup (FDA)
Other brands
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Further information
Proventil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.
