Maxair and Weight Gain

There are a number of side effects with Maxair, and weight gain appears to be one of them. In previous clinical studies, weight gain occurred in less than 1 percent of people who took Maxair. If you are taking Maxair and weight gain occurs, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she may suggest lifestyle changes or prescribe another asthma medication.

 

An Overview of Maxair and Weight Gain

There are a number of possible side effects with Maxair® (pirbuterol acetate). Weight gain does appear to be one of them. This data comes from clinical trials that extensively studied Maxair and documented its side effects.
 

Side Effects and Clinical Trials

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which thousands of people are given a particular medicine and are then compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, side effects are always carefully documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. Side effects are then usually separated into those that occur in more than 1 percent of people (common side effects) and those that occur in less than 1 percent of people (rare side effects).
 
In these studies, weight gain was reported as a rare side effect of Maxair, occurring in less than 1 percent of people.
 

Suggestions for Maxair and Weight Gain

If you are taking Maxair and weight gain occurs, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she will perform a physical exam to see if you might be retaining water. He or she may also look for other causes of weight gain, such as certain types of medical conditions. If the weight gain remains unexplained, your healthcare provider may give you some suggestions, such as eating heart-healthy foods, exercising more, and limiting your intake of alcohol. If the weight gain continues, he or she may also recommend other lifestyle changes or possibly switching to a different asthma medication.
 
(Click BMI Calculator to see if your weight is within a healthy range.)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;