10 Albuterol Inhaler Side Effects: Shakiness, Nervousness, and More

Inhalers and nebulizers are medical devices that often treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhalers — due to their small size and portability — are more popular than nebulizers, but both can still come in handy. You may use one or both of them depending on the severity of your breathing symptoms.

Available as inhalers and nebulizer solutions, short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) are common bronchodilators used to treat asthma. They’re fast-acting medications that help open up the airways in your lungs and start working within a few minutes. SABAs are used to relieve asthma and COPD symptoms and can be administered every 4 to 6 hours, as needed.

Albuterol is the most widely used SABA, especially as an inhaler. It helps manage wheezing and shortness of breath, and it’s generally well tolerated by kids and adults who use it. It comes in generic and brand-name forms, with common brands being Ventolin HFA and ProAir Respiclick.

However, as with all medications, albuterol inhalers have some potential side effects to be aware of.

Albuterol side effects at a glance

Mild albuterol inhaler side effects include:

• Tremors

• Nervousness

• Rapid heartbeat

• Elevated blood pressure

• Trouble sleeping

• Headache

• Upper respiratory tract infections

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

Promotion disclosure

Albuterol

Avg retail price

$23.66(Save 68.93%)

GoodRx discount

$7.35

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Rare but serious albuterol side effects include:

• Low potassium

• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions

• Worsening asthma or bronchospasm

Here, we’ll dig deeper into 10 notable albuterol side effects and what to expect if you use it.

1. Tremors

Tremors (shakiness), especially in the hands, are a temporary but common side effect of albuterol inhalers. They’re reported to affect about 1 in 5 people who use them. They’re more common in younger people but can affect people of any age. These tremors happen because albuterol can temporarily activate receptors (chemical binding sites) in your body that increase nerve signals and affect body movements.

If tremors happen to you or your child, you may be able to wait it out. They should subside with time. However, if they continue to bother you or they start to become more frequent, make sure to loop in a healthcare professional.

2. Nervousness or hyperactivity

Nervousness is the most common side effect of albuterol inhalers. Up to 20% of people using albuterol may experience anxiety, nervousness, and increased excitement at some point. In some cases, they can also contribute to insomnia symptoms — which we’ll discuss later.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How often should you use your rescue inhaler? Uncover the answer with this GoodRx guide to albuterol dosages.

• Does it interact with other medications? Read on to learn the top albuterol interactions to know about.

• Albuterol stories: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to use a rescue inhaler? Here, three people share their experiences with albuterol.

These symptoms are more common in children and adolescents ages 14 and younger. Thankfully, these short-term symptoms tend to be less of a problem in the days to weeks after starting the medication.

3. Rapid heartbeat

Frequent use of albuterol inhalers may lead to a faster heartbeat than normal. Heart palpitations (a pounding or racing heartbeat) are also possible.

For people without pre-existing heart problems, this shouldn’t lead to any long-term problems. But if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or another heart-related health condition, you may want to ask a healthcare professional if you should monitor your heart rate more often or take any other precautions.

4. Runny nose

Albuterol inhalers may cause or contribute to rhinitis, or a runny nose. They can also lead to symptoms you may think of when you think of a cold or allergies, like a stuffy nose or sneezing.

If a runny nose is causing a stir, an over-the-counter (OTC) medication could be a good option. An antihistamine, such as Claritin (loratadine) or Benadryl (diphenhydramine), can help dry up your sinuses for temporary relief. A nasal spray like Flonase (fluticasone propionate) could also help.

Before you try an OTC medication to help with your runny nose, it’s a good idea to speak with your pharmacist for more personalized advice.

5. Sore throat

Throat irritation is another potential side effect of albuterol inhalers. This can cause a sore throat.

One prevention strategy you could try is asking a healthcare professional about using a spacer. This is a medical device that you can attach to your inhaler to help better deliver medication into your lungs. Spacers can help move albuterol into your lungs faster so less medication ends up in your mouth and throat. This can help reduce throat irritation.

Keep in mind: Not all albuterol inhalers are compatible with spacers. For instance, if you have a ProAir RespiClick inhaler, a spacer won’t be an option.

6. Upper respiratory tract infection

Some people receiving albuterol in clinical trials reported developing a respiratory infection after starting the medication. Specifically, they reported an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). URIs include a wide range of infections that affect the upper airways, such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and the common cold. Most URTIs are caused by viruses, but bacteria are sometimes the culprit as well.

If you develop URTI symptoms, try to rest as much as you can and stay hydrated. There are also OTC medications available to help address your symptoms in the meantime, such as pain relievers, decongestants, and cough medicines.

But make sure to speak with a healthcare professional if your symptoms get worse at any point or they start to linger on.

7. Worsening asthma or bronchospasm

In very rare cases, albuterol inhalers can worsen shortness of breath and other asthma symptoms. This can seem strange — especially since albuterol inhalers are meant to relieve asthma symptoms. If this happens, you may feel chest tightness, increased wheezing, or worsening shortness of breath. This unintended effect is called “paradoxical bronchospasm.”

If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using albuterol. Contact a healthcare professional immediately to talk about next steps. This may include potentially getting a prescription for a different medication.

8. Trouble sleeping

Difficulty sleeping has been reported by about 10% of people who use albuterol. Similar to nervousness and hyperactivity, this occurs because albuterol can activate certain receptors in your nervous system.

This side effect is most common in young children. But it can happen at any age. It’s also thought to be dose-related, meaning the more albuterol you use, the more likely you’ll experience this side effect.

9. High blood pressure

Albuterol inhalers can potentially contribute to high blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiac problems. Although the medication primarily affects receptors in your lungs — called beta-2 receptors — these same receptors are also found in your heart. You may experience temporary changes in heart rate and blood pressure when albuterol affects these receptors.

If you’re living with high blood pressure or another cardiac condition, speak to a healthcare professional before starting albuterol. They may want to brief you on warning signs to watch out for and how to use caution with the medication.

10. Low potassium

Albuterol can lower your potassium levels, potentially leading to hypokalemia. This in turn may cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), which can be dangerous. You may have a higher risk of developing hypokalemia if you use too much albuterol or if you also take other medications that lower your potassium, such as a loop diuretic.

This condition is usually temporary, though. In most cases, it doesn’t require supplementation with potassium.

Still, to be safe, your prescriber may opt to occasionally monitor your potassium levels to make sure they stay within normal limits.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Jenna Clayton, PharmD

Jenna Clayton, PharmD earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Buffalo, New York. Throughout her doctoral program, Jenna gained experience in a variety of pharmaceutical settings, including community, hospital, long-term care, and ambulatory care settings.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts