Ventolin Side Effects

Although most people tolerate Ventolin well, there are potential side effects of the medication. Some common Ventolin side effects include throat irritation, viral respiratory infections, and a cough. In many cases, the side effects are minor and can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. However, there are some more serious side effects of Ventolin that you should report to your healthcare provider, including a very fast heart rate, breathing problems that are getting worse, or signs of an allergic reaction.

 

An Introduction to Ventolin Side Effects

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Ventolin HFA® (albuterol inhaler). However, not everyone who takes Ventolin will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the medication well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Ventolin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Ventolin side effects with you.)
 

Common Ventolin Side Effects

Ventolin has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. 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.
 
In these studies, the most common Ventolin side effects included:
 
  • Throat irritation -- in up to 10 percent of people
  • Viral respiratory infections (such as the common cold) -- up to 7 percent
  • Cough -- up to 5 percent
  • Muscle or bone pain -- up to 5 percent
  • Upper respiratory inflammation -- up to 5 percent.
     
(Ventolin Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;