Albuterol metered aerosol: Side effects, FAQs, and more - Medical News Today

Albuterol metered aerosol can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking albuterol. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of albuterol metered aerosol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you've had with albuterol metered aerosol, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of albuterol metered aerosol can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don't go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from albuterol metered aerosol. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read albuterol metered aerosol's prescribing information.
† Coughing up mucus was not reported in clinical studies of albuterol metered aerosol, but can happen after using the drug to treat reversible obstructive lung disease. See "Side effect details" below for more information.
‡ For information about this side effect, see "Side effect details" below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from albuterol metered aerosol aren't common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see "Side effect details" below.

How long side effects of albuterol last

Side effects from albuterol metered aerosol can last for several hours. But most side effects should go away after you've been using it for several days or weeks.

If you have bothersome side effects from albuterol metered aerosol that aren't getting better, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to lessen these side effects. Or your doctor may prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Side effects in children and older people

Albuterol metered aerosol is approved to treat or help prevent bronchospasm* in people with reversible obstructive lung disease. It's also used to help prevent bronchospasm that's triggered by exercise. Albuterol metered aerosol is approved for these uses in adults and children ages 4 years and older.

The side effects of albuterol metered aerosol in children are similar to those in adults. And, side effects in older people are thought to be the same as they are in younger people. Clinical studies of albuterol metered aerosol didn't include enough adults ages 65 years and older to determine whether there were any differences in side effects for this age group. (For more information about potential side effects, see the lists above in "Mild side effects" and "Serious side effects.")

Keep in mind that older people may have other health conditions that affect how their bodies respond to albuterol metered aerosol. These include heart, kidney, and liver problems. And these conditions could increase the risk for side effects from the drug.

Because of this, it's recommended that people ages 65 years and older start with a low dosage of albuterol metered aerosol. (For more information on dosing, see the "Albuterol metered aerosol dosage" section below.) The dosage may be increased over time until the drug works well to treat their condition.

If you're age 65 or older, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using albuterol metered aerosol to treat your condition.

* Bronchospasm is a sudden narrowing of your airways that can make it hard for you to breathe.

Side effect details

Here are some details on certain side effects this drug may cause.

Coughing up mucus

It's possible to cough up mucus after using albuterol metered aerosol.

This side effect wasn't reported in clinical studies of the drug. However, this can happen when albuterol metered aerosol is used to treat reversible obstructive lung disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These conditions can cause mucus to build up in the lungs.

Coughing up mucus after using albuterol metered aerosol can help your body get rid of this mucus buildup. This can be a sign the drug is working to treat your condition.

If you cough up mucus after using albuterol metered aerosol, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect.

Increased blood pressure

Increased blood pressure is a rare side effect of albuterol metered aerosol. To find out how often this side effect happened in clinical studies, see the drug's prescribing information.

Increased blood pressure doesn't usually cause any symptoms. But possible symptoms can include:

• anxiety
• dizziness
• headache
• trouble sleeping

You may be at a higher risk for this side effect if you already have high blood pressure before you start using albuterol metered aerosol.

If you're concerned about increased blood pressure from using albuterol metered aerosol, talk with your doctor. They'll likely monitor your blood pressure closely while you're using the drug. Your doctor may also suggest that you check your blood pressure periodically with a home blood pressure monitor.

Shakiness

Albuterol metered aerosol may cause shakiness. Shaking can happen in your hands, or you may feel jittery throughout your whole body. This is a common side effect of albuterol metered aerosol. To find out how often shakiness occurred in clinical studies, see the drug's prescribing information.

Shaking from albuterol metered aerosol usually stops within 1 hour after using the drug. But if you have bothersome shaking that doesn't go away after using albuterol metered aerosol, talk with your doctor. They can talk with you about how to stop the shakes.

For example, your doctor may lower your dosage of albuterol metered aerosol. Or they may have you wait several minutes between puffs. But do not change your dosage of albuterol metered aerosol without talking with your doctor first.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking albuterol metered aerosol. It isn't clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical studies of the drug. But, allergic reaction has been reported in people using albuterol metered aerosol since the drug was approved.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
• trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to albuterol metered aerosol, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency.

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