Levalbuterol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 6, 2023.

Applies to levalbuterol: inhalation aerosol powder, inhalation solution.

Serious side effects of Levalbuterol

Along with its needed effects, levalbuterol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levalbuterol:

More common

• Fast heartbeat

Less common

• Chest pain or tightness
• dizziness
• feeling “faint”
• lightheadedness
• troubled breathing

Incidence not known

• Confusion
• cough
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• drowsiness
• extra heartbeat
• fainting
• fast, pounding, slow, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• hives, welts, itching, or rash
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• nausea
• noisy breathing
• rapid, deep breathing
• redness of the skin
• restlessness
• stomach cramps
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking levalbuterol:

Symptoms of overdose

• Chest pain
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• impaired consciousness
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• nervousness
• seizures
• sleeplessness
• sweating
• tremor

Other side effects of Levalbuterol

Some side effects of levalbuterol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Accidental injury (in children 4 to 11 years of age)
• anxiety
• body aches or pain
• chills
• congestion
• cough
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• fever
• general aches and pains
• headache
• hoarseness
• increased cough
• leg cramps
• loss of appetite
• migraines or other headaches
• muscle tightness
• nervousness
• runny or stuffy nose

Less common

• Abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material
• blemishes on the skin
• blood in the urine
• bloody nose
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• burning or stinging of the skin
• cough producing mucus
• cramps
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• discharge from the eye
• dry mouth or throat
• ear pain
• excessive tearing
• eye itch
• heavy menstrual bleeding
• muscle pain
• night sweats
• numbness or decreased sensitivity of the hand
• pain
• painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
• pimples
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• stomach pain
• tingling sensation in the arms or legs
• vaginal yeast infection
• weight loss

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to levalbuterol: inhalation aerosol, inhalation solution.

General

This drug has been associated with paradoxical bronchospasm, cardiovascular effects, immediate hypersensitivity reactions, and hypokalemia.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

ECG abnormal, ECG change, hypotension, and syncope occurred in less than 2%.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, tachycardia

Frequency not reported: ECG abnormal, ECG change, hypotension, syncope

Postmarketing reports: Arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, extrasystoles)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Leg cramps

Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Myalgia occurred in less than 2%.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Changes in plasma glucose and serum potassium; metabolic acidosis^[Ref]

Metabolic acidosis occurred in less than 2%.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, migraine, tremor, nervousness

Frequency not reported: Central nervous system stimulation, hyperesthesia of the hand^[Ref]

Central nervous system stimulation and hyperesthesia of the hand occurred in less than 2%.^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Pain, flu syndrome, accidental injury, asthenia, fever

Frequency not reported: Ear pain, herpes simplex, chills, cyst^[Ref]

Ear pain, herpes simplex, chills, and cyst occurred in less than 2%.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea, dry mouth, dry throat, nausea, gastroenteritis, vomiting, and constipation occurred in less than 2%.

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia

Frequency not reported: Diarrhea, dry mouth, dry throat, nausea, gastroenteritis, vomiting, constipation

Postmarketing reports: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nausea

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Asthma, pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, turbinate edema, cough increased, viral infection

Frequency not reported: Epistaxis, lung disorder, asthma exacerbation, wheezing

Postmarketing reports: Chest pain, dysphonia, dyspnea

Viral infection, epistaxis, lung disorder, asthma exacerbation, and wheezing occurred in less than 2%.

Dermatologic

Acne and sweating occurred less than 2%.

Frequency not reported: Acne, sweating

Postmarketing reports: Rash, urticaria

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reactions

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, anaphylaxis

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Hematuria, dysmenorrhea, vaginal moniliasis

Hematuria, dysmenorrhea, vaginal moniliasis occurred in less than 2%.

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy occurred in less than 2%.

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Eye itch

Eye itch occurred in less than 2%.

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety

Frequency not reported: Insomnia

Insomnia occurred in less than 2%.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer