Key takeaways

  • Common side effects of albuterol include sore throat, dizziness, headache, and a fast heart rate.
  • While most mild side effects usually ease over time, it’s important to consult your doctor if they persist or worsen.
  • Serious side effects, such as chest pain, atypical heart rhythms, and severe allergic reactions, require immediate medical attention.

Albuterol (Ventolin HFA, ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA) is used in adults and certain children to treat:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that albuterol can cause.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their albuterol treatment. Examples of albuterol’s commonly reported side effects include:

To learn more about dizziness and headache, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Some people who take albuterol experience mild side effects. These usually go away on their own over time.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with albuterol include:

  • ear pain
  • difficulty breathing
  • runny nose
  • anxiety
  • shakiness
  • nervousness
  • dizziness
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • diarrhea
  • infection
  • mild allergic reaction

To learn more about dizziness, headache, and allergic reaction, see the “Side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using albuterol unless your doctor recommends it.

Albuterol may cause mild side effects other than the ones just listed. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking albuterol and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-332-1088.

Some people who take albuterol may experience serious side effects.

Serious side effects that have been reported with albuterol include:

Note that increased blood pressure and paradoxical bronchospasm were not reported during studies of the drug. But they have been reported after the drug became available for use.

To learn more about allergic reaction, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects while taking albuterol, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Albuterol may cause serious side effects other than the ones just listed. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about albuterol’s side effects.

Do the albuterol aerosol inhaler and the albuterol nebulizer have different side effects?

No, the albuterol aerosol inhaler and the albuterol nebulizer have the same side effects. The inhaler and nebulizer are two different devices used to inhale the same drug.

If you have questions about which form of albuterol may be a better fit for you, talk with your doctor.

Do older adults have a higher risk of side effects with albuterol?

No, studies of albuterol did not report a higher risk of side effects in older adults (ages 65 years and older).

Your body eliminates albuterol through your kidneys, and older adults are more likely to have decreased kidney function. In general, people in this age group may have a higher risk of side effects from drugs that are broken down by the kidneys.

If you’re age 65 years or older, your doctor may test your kidney function before prescribing albuterol.

Does albuterol cause hyperkalemia (high potassium levels)?

No, albuterol does not cause high potassium levels. But it may cause low potassium levels. This side effect was not seen in studies of albuterol. It has been reported after the drug became available for use, but it’s not clear how often it occurred or whether albuterol was the cause.

Low potassium levels are more common in people who have certain medical conditions. They’re also more common in people who take other drugs that also decrease potassium, such as furosemide (Lasix).

Symptoms of low potassium levels include:

If you’re concerned about changes in your potassium levels while using albuterol, talk with your doctor.

Does albuterol cause any long-term side effects?

It’s possible. In most cases, side effects from albuterol are temporary, or they go away once you stop using the drug.

But certain serious side effects from albuterol, such as atypical heart rhythm, can have long-term effects.

Before starting albuterol treatment, talk with your doctor about your health history. Your doctor can determine whether albuterol is right for you.

Learn more about some of the side effects albuterol may cause.

Headache

Albuterol may cause headache in some people. This was a common side effect in studies of the drug.

Symptoms of headache may include:

  • pain that is throbbing, sharp, or dull
  • pressure in your face or behind your eyes
  • sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights

What might help

You may want to try the following tips for easing headache:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Apply a warm or cool compress to your forehead or neck.
  • Rest or sit in a dark room until the headache goes away.

You may also be able to treat the headache with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Examples include:

During your albuterol treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medications. They can help you choose a treatment that doesn’t interact with albuterol.

Dizziness

Dizziness can occur with albuterol use. This was a common side effect in studies of albuterol.

Symptoms of dizziness include:

What might help

Dizziness, like other mild side effects, will typically go away over time. But while you feel dizzy, avoid driving or doing other tasks that require alertness and coordination.

If the dizziness is severe or does not go away, or if it happens along with other serious symptoms such as blurry vision or fever, talk with your doctor. They may be able to determine the cause of your dizziness and prescribe a treatment. For example, dizziness is a symptom of high blood pressure.

If the dizziness is caused by albuterol, your doctor may adjust your dose or have you switch to a different treatment.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, albuterol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reaction was reported in studies of albuterol.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to albuterol, they’ll discuss with you whether you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to albuterol, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your albuterol treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how albuterol affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Albuterol may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether albuterol is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting albuterol. Factors to consider include those described here.

Low levels of potassium: If you have low potassium levels because of a medical condition or a drug that you take, talk with your doctor. Albuterol may cause low potassium, which in some cases can lead to heart problems. Your doctor can determine whether albuterol is safe for you to use.

Seizures: If you have a condition that causes seizures, using albuterol could increase your risk of seizures. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is right for you.

Diabetes: Albuterol may raise your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. Talk with your doctor about whether albuterol is safe for you to use with your condition.

Heart problems or high blood pressure: Albuterol may cause fast heart rate and high blood pressure. High doses of albuterol have also caused atypical heart rhythms. If you already have a heart condition, you may have a higher risk of these side effects. Likewise, if you already have high blood pressure, albuterol may worsen this condition. Talk with your doctor about whether albuterol is safe for you to use.

Thyroid problems: If you have high thyroid levels, talk with your doctor before starting albuterol treatment. This medication could raise your thyroid levels even more. Your doctor can discuss with you whether albuterol is right for your condition.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to albuterol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe albuterol. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and albuterol

There are no known interactions between alcohol and albuterol.

Alcohol may increase blood pressure and blood sugar. Albuterol is also reported to have these same side effects. As a result, combining alcohol with albuterol could raise your risk of these side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to consume during albuterol treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using albuterol

It’s not known whether albuterol is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting albuterol treatment.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.