What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away over time. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- bronchitis
- chest pain
- cold- or flu-like symptoms
- ear infection
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- hives
- migraine headaches
- nausea
- nervousness
- shakiness
- skin, arm, or leg infections
- stomach flu
- swollen glands
- worsening asthma
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Allergic reactions: Symptoms of a serious (and potentially life-threatening) allergic reaction include:
- hives
- rash
- swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat
- trouble swallowing
- worsening of breathing problems such as wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath
- shock (loss of blood pressure and consciousness)
If these symptoms occur, call your doctor or go to an emergency room immediately.
Diabetes: Albuterol could cause diabetes to get worse. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar frequently as instructed by your doctor.
Heart conditions:
This medication may increase heart rate or blood pressure and cause heart palpitations. If you have a heart condition, your doctor should closely monitor your condition while you are using this medication.
Worsening asthma: Seek immediate medical attention if this medication does not relieve your asthma symptoms.
Pregnancy: This
medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if albuterol passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children less than 2 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between albuterol inhalation solution and any of the following:
- beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol)
- certain diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide)
- digoxin
- epinephrine
- MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) taken in the past 2 weeks
- other medications given by nebulizer
- other short-acting bronchodilators (e.g., fenoterol)
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine) taken in the past 2 weeks
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.