Albuterol Side Effects

Albuterol inhalers are widely used to treat conditions such as asthma, reactive airway disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The most common side effects of Albuterol are not of much concern, however, as with any medication, there are serious side effects every user should be aware of before starting an Albuterol regimen.

I used Albuterol for a little less than a year to treat what was thought to be the beginning of exercise induced asthma. Later, as my wheezing episodes began to resolve, I was diagnosed with reactive airway disease and eventually my diagnosis was changed to environmental allergies. Although this inhaler was highly effective in allowing me to enjoying a wheeze-free run, I was concerned about a few things I felt were not normal.

During the few months I used Albuterol, I consistently suffered from tremors and nervousness immediately after taking my two puffs. Some days I suffered from nausea. The first few times I was too shaky to exercise, but I ended up getting used to the side effects. They lasted only about 30 minutes. After voicing my concerns with my doctor, she assured me that I should not be concerned with the side effects I experienced.

Other common side effects of Albuterol, in which I did not experience, include headache, vomiting, cough, and throat irritation. Potentially serious side effects of Albuterol include a fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs; and difficulty breathing or swallowing. Other serious side effects include rash, hives, and itching. If you experience any of these side effects or anything out of the ordinary, you should immediately consult a physician.

Before you start using Albuterol, let the prescribing physician know if you are currently or plan on taking any prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, and herbal supplements. Also, it is important for you to tell your doctor if you have a history of irregular heartbeat, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For more information on Albuterol, or any other specific medication, visit www.medlineplus.gov for more information.

Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682145.html