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Risks of Using Albuterol

Albuterol sulfate is a generic medication known as a bronchodilator. When inhaled, albuterol relaxes your airways and makes it easier for you to breathe. Doctors prescribe albuterol to alleviate coughing, wheezing and chest tightness in patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or other lung diseases. Despite its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of these respiratory disorders, albuterol poses a risk for side effects.

  1. Paradoxical Bronchospasm

    • Albuterol poses a risk for a condition called paradoxical bronchospasm, which causes your airways to get tighter or constrict rather than expand, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The condition affects approximately 11 to 13 percent of patients and is most common when you begin a new vial of medication. Symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm include wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath immediately following the use of albuterol. Paradoxical bronchospasm may become life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment, warns the Mayo Clinic.

    Cardiovascular

    • Albuterol causes cardiovascular side effects in some patients, the most common is angina or chest pain, which affects as many as 1.7 percent of users. Infrequently, patients develop severe elevations in heart rate or blood pressure, and the drug must be discontinued. Because of its cardiovascular side effects, doctors use caution when prescribing the drug for patients with heart failure, arrhythmia or hypertension.

    Hypersensitivity

    • Though rare, some patients experience severe allergic reactions immediately after taking albuterol, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Allergies to the drug have the potential to cause skin hives, swelling of your eyes, lips or throat. If you develop these side effects from albuterol, stop taking it and seek emergency medical attention, suggests the Mayo Clinic.

    Infections and Illness

    • As many as 4.3 percent of patients who take albuterol experience ear infections. Cold and flu symptoms are also common and may affect up to 4 percent of users. Less frequently, patients develop skin infections, bronchitis or fevers while taking the drug.

    Gastrointestinal

    • The most common gastrointestinal side effect of albuterol is nausea, which occurs in as many as 1.7 percent of patients, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Other side effects include gagging, a bad taste in your mouth, diarrhea and changes in appetite.

    Neurological

    • Some patients who take albuterol report experiencing headaches, making this the most common neurological side effect of the drug. Additional minor side effects may also occur like insomnia, vertigo or trembling. Infrequently, patients taking the drug develop hallucinations, anxiety, confusion, restlessness and seizures.

    Urinary

    • Though uncommon, albuterol may irritate your urinary tract, causing side effects like urinary urgency, difficulty urinating, pain or buring during urination and the presence of blood in your urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, notify your doctor.

    Hypokalemia

    • Though rare, albuterol poses a risk for hypokalemia, a severe drop in blood potassium levels. The condition is life-threatening without treatment. Symptoms of hypokalemia include decreased urination, dry mouth, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, numbness or tingling in your extremities or lips and weakness.

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