ProAir HFA Side Effects
Generic name: albuterol
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 3, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about ProAir HFA Side Effects associated with albuterol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name ProAir HFA.
Applies to albuterol: inhalation powder, inhalation solution, inhalation suspension.
Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of ProAir HFA
Along with its needed effects, albuterol (the active ingredient contained in ProAir HFA) 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 albuterol:
More common side effects
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Less common side effects
- bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- chest discomfort, tightness, or pain
- chills
- cough
- cough producing mucus
- diarrhea
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- feeling of warmth
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- hives, itching, or skin rash
- hoarseness
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- nausea
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- runny nose
- sore throat
- stomach pain
- swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare side effects
- hives or welts
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
- noisy breathing
- swelling of the mouth or throat
Incidence not known
- agitation
- arm, back, or jaw pain
- chest heaviness
- confusion
- decreased urine
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- extra heartbeat
- fainting
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- headache
- increased hunger
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- irritability
- lightheadedness
- muscle pain or cramps
- nervousness
- nightmares
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pounding in the ears
- rapid, deep breathing
- restlessness
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seizures
- slow or fast heartbeat
- stomach cramps
- sweating
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual feeling of excitement
- vomiting
Other side effects of ProAir HFA
Some side effects of albuterol 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 side effects
- body aches or pain
- congestion
- voice changes
Less common side effects
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- earache
- headache, severe and throbbing
- muscle or bone pain
- pain
- redness or swelling in the ear
- redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
- sneezing
- stuffy nose
- swelling
- tenderness
- trouble in holding or releasing urine
- trouble sleeping
Rare side effects
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Incidence not known
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- gagging
- rough, scratchy sound to voice
- sensation of spinning
- tightness in the throat
For healthcare professionals
Applies to albuterol: compounding powder, inhalation aerosol, inhalation aerosol with adapter, inhalation capsule, inhalation powder, inhalation solution, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
General adverse events
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are: Taste alteration (bad, unpleasant and unusual taste), mouth and throat irritation, fine tremor (usually of the hands), nausea, sweating, restlessness, headache and dizziness. These undesirable effects may subside on continuation of treatment.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Very common (10% or more): Peripheral vasodilation, increase in heart rate
- Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, tachycardia, pallor
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, extra systoles)
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiovascular collapse, thrombopenia
- Frequency not reported: Angina, hypertension, hypotension, flushing[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 18.8%), tremor (up to 24.2%), excitement (up to 20%), nervousness (up to 15%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Migraine, dizziness, shakiness, hyperkinesia, emotional lability
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, irritability
- Frequency not reported: Central nervous system stimulation[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Skin/Appendage Infection (1.7%), pruritus, rash, erythema, urticaria, angioedema, sweating[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Common (1% to 10%): Gastroenteritis, nausea, oropharyngeal pain, vomiting, increased appetite
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epigastric pain, stomach ache, loss of appetite
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Sore mouth
- Frequency not reported: Oropharyngeal edema, throat irritation, altered taste, glossitis, tongue ulceration, gagging, drying or irritation of the oropharynx[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Nephritis
- Frequency not reported: Difficulty in micturition[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): angioedema, urticaria, bronchospasm, hypotension and collapse[Ref]
Immunologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Lymphadenopathy[Ref]
Local
- Common (1% to 10%): Application site reaction (mouth and throat irritation, burning sensation of the tongue)
- Frequency not reported: Slight pain or stinging (IM injection)[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, muscles cramps
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Fine tremor (particularly of hands)
- Frequency not reported: Myoclonus[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Cold symptoms, flue syndrome, pain, pyrexia, hyperactivity, excitement
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis, fatigue, otitis media,
- Frequency not reported: Weakness[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Tenseness
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sleepiness, sleep disturbance
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hallucinations
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Insomnia[Ref]
Respiratory
- Common (1% to 10%): Asthma exacerbation (13%), chest pain, bronchitis, sinus headache, upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, cough
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Paradoxical bronchospasm, bronchospasm
- Frequency not reported: Aggravated bronchospasm, asthma exacerbation, chest discomfort, pulmonary edema[Ref]
Ocular
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dilated pupils, conjunctivitis[Ref]
Metabolic
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, increase of insulin, free fatty acids, glycerol and ketone bodies
- Postmarketing reports: Metabolic acidosis, lactic acidosis[Ref]
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Further information
ProAir HFA side effects can vary depending on the individual. 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.