Albuterol Inhaler Side Effects

With asthma, the passageways to the lungs become inflamed and spasm. Albuterol inhalers relax the airway passages into the lungs, increasing airflow and alleviating asthma symptoms.

Albuterol inhalers are one of the most commonly prescribed asthma treatments due to their effectiveness, low cost, and ease of use. Not only can it treat asthma symptoms, but it can also prevent exercise induced symptoms when taken before physical activity.

I've been using albuterol inhalers off and on over the past 14 years, since I was diagnosed with asthma. Personally the only symptom that I have experienced is a jittery, nervous feeling, which is noticeable almost immediately after taking the inhaler.

Luckily, I didn't experience one of the worst side effects of albuterol: birth defects. When I was pregnant with my twin daughters I had a fairly severe asthma attack. I was gasping for air, making the awful whooping-type sound, like when you have the wind knocked out of you. I knew that there was a risk of birth defects with albuterol, and I had discussed it with my doctor.

He had told me that if my asthma got bad enough to even moderately limit my air intake that I should take my inhaler. The risks that lack of oxygen posed to the unborn children would be greater than the risks posed by the albuterol inhaler, according to my doctor.

For my milder asthma symptoms, when I was pregnant, I just coped with them. It would have been nice to have been able to use my inhaler, but it wasn't worth the risks.

Here are the risks listed by albuterol inhaler manufacturers on the package inserts:

Mild side effects

headache, dizziness, nervousness.

sleep problems (insomnia)

cough, hoarseness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose

dry mouth and throat

muscle pain

diarrhea

More severe side effects

bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), especially after starting a new canister

chest pain and fast, pounding, or uneven heart beats

tremor, nervousness

dangerously high blood pressure (which causes severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure)

birth defects

Albuterol inhalers aren't right for everyone. Some people who shouldn't use this type of inhaler, or should use a specialized dose, including those who have any of the following conditions:

heart disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure

a heart rhythm disorder

a seizure disorder such as epilepsy

diabetes

overactive thyroid