Albuterol and Anxiety: What Users Say

• bre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2021

Albuterol for Asthma, Maintenance "Omg! I thought I was the only one. I only started Googling out of frustration. I usually wake up during my sleep feeling breathless, but I'm not getting a sufficient dose of Ventolin with this counter. I didn't think anything of it at first, but now that I've used it for some time, I hate it. I'm having to use so many puffs and still not getting enough and then panic because I'm stressing and can't breathe. This new Ventolin is ineffective, and whoever came up with the idea should be sacked. I don't think the creators realize that when you're short of breath, the first metered dose doesn't go past your throat, and it's the second puff that gets down to help relieve you. I found the other comments very helpful and will be looking to get an alternative without the counter."

• ssd...
• July 31, 2011

Albuterol for Asthma, acute "I have allergy-induced asthma, not true asthma. Sometimes my allergies and sinuses get so bad I get asthma attacks. My allergy doctor prescribed Proventil HFA to me last year, and though I don't use it often, it has helped when I needed it. Only one downfall, it makes me so jittery. This is a common side effect because you're basically getting a shot of adrenaline in each puff. I find it's best to walk/move around a little after taking it to help wear off the jitters. Because of this side effect, I only use it when I really need it."

• Sch...
• November 2, 2013

For COPD, Maintenance "My doctor put me on a dosage of 2 puffs every 4 hours as needed, but when I used this amount, I developed almost continuous anxiety attacks, insomnia, back and arm pain, wheezing, muscle spasm and jerking in extremities, and pounding in my ears. I was greatly distressed until I read this article and discovered that all of these symptoms are side effects of the albuterol."

• Blu...
• March 12, 2017

Albuterol for Asthma, acute "Useless!!! I took it to my pulmonary doctor and told him nothing comes out. He said don't tip it, that the powder will fall out. Well, I kept paying for them trying to get some relief but never did. My copay being 40.00. I just kept thinking I was imagining there was nothing there. I decided to open one that showed zero doses left to see if the meds were gone. Guess what? All the med was still in it. No residue from the powder anywhere except inside the area they put it in. This was like the 4th inhaler I paid a 40.00 copay for. I feel like a repayment should be in order. That's not including all the freaking anxiety attacks I had trying to get medication out of these defective devices. My other powder inhaler, Anita, works great. Different device."

• Dar...
• March 28, 2018

Albuterol for Asthma, Maintenance "The ProAir RespiClick is horrible! I had called my pharmacy to have this prescription refilled, and they mentioned my old prescription for HFA had expired and that they would call my doctor to have it updated. At this point, my doctor's office nor the pharmacy wants to admit they had changed me to this medication, and now I'm stuck with three of these that provide absolutely no relief to me whatsoever. I had to Google videos on how to use this while I'm almost dying trying to figure this out. Once I guess I figured it out, it was terrible. They mention it's some powder, and I had to do five inhales, which is ridiculous, because if I can't breathe, how can I inhale this? Who creates these things? I can't even get a refund now for these three unused units! The units are horrible to use, so much they made my anxiety worsen, which made me breathe with even more difficulty."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2021

Albuterol for Asthma, Maintenance "In my 40 years of asthma experience, Ventolin has the worst nervous system side effects of any albuterol inhaler I have ever used. (Generic, Proventil, ProAir HFA) I suggest you NOT use it if, like me, you have sensitivity to stimulants (caffeine, etc.), anxiety, adrenal, heart, or panic attack issues, or, like me, it will likely aggravate all of them, even with one dose, as it does for me. With regular use, as my MD directed (because I forgot past experience), my nervous system became so agitated that not only could I not sit still, my whole body felt like it was vibrating and triggered a physiological (not cognitive/emotional) panic attack where I struggled to breathe and my heart rate stayed high and exceeded 175 bpm and stuttered with the slightest physical activity, well above the recommended max of 157 for age 63. Having heart issues as a result."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2023

Albuterol for Asthma, acute "I took Proventil for my asthma, but it caused me to experience heart palpitations, headaches, muscle pain in my neck and shoulders, and anxiety. These side effects lasted for several days and began approximately 12 hours after my first puff. It was a horrible and scary experience. I will never take Proventil again."

• Noa...
• April 8, 2021

Albuterol for Asthma, acute "I personally have had a much better experience than most people with this inhaler - I don't find it difficult to breathe in the powder at all (maybe they changed something because I only started it less than a year ago?) Works better than the HFA inhaler I used to use in terms of helping my breathing and doesn't make my heart rate increase or make me shaky or anxious, which is especially useful when you already have anxiety."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 9, 2021

Albuterol for Asthma, acute "Does anyone else have feedback on using the new dose counter jacket on the puffer? I had an attack, reached for my puffer, and could not remove the cap no matter what I did. I was feeling my anxiety level rising and my chest heaving, but that cap would not come off. I have found all of the caps since are difficult to remove. I may be old, but I'm not feeble. The pharmacist was surprised how difficult it was to access the medication. I wonder if others have had any problems? Thank you."

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2018

For Bronchiectasis "Respiclick is horrible, not effective. I am already under stress and panic from shortness of breath. ProAir HFA has worked well for me for many years and is a superior product. Very disappointed to have been switched."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "Albuterol is the worst. Every time I use it, I get severe heart palpitations - anxiety attacks! This happened to me on two separate occasions. Once I get back to using ProAir, my vitals are normal."

• atn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2013

For Bronchiectasis "Anxiety, tremors, dry mouth."