Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide) is a brand-name inhaler prescribed for asthma in adults. As with other drugs, Airsupra can cause side effects, such as headache and cough.

Airsupra can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Airsupra for asthma in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Airsupra use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Airsupra include:

  • cough
  • headache
  • hoarse voice
  • oral thrush (see “Side effect specifics” for details)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Airsupra and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Airsupra may cause serious side effects. Serious side effects were not common or not reported in clinical trials of Airsupra. Some side effects were reported after Airsupra became available. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Airsupra prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Airsupra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • adrenal gland problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fatigue (tiredness)
    • muscle weakness
    • round face (moon face)
    • increased fat between your shoulders or around the base of your neck
  • cataracts, which may include symptoms such as:
    • blurry vision
    • difficulty seeing at night
    • sensitivity to light glare
  • glaucoma, which may include symptoms such as:
  • heart-related side effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure (symptoms will vary depending on the specific side effects you develop)
  • low blood potassium level, which may include symptoms such as:
    • muscle weakness
    • cramping during physical activity
    • excessive thirst
  • increased risk of infection, which may include infection symptoms such as:
    • body aches and weakness
    • fever
    • cough
  • reduced bone mineral density, which may not cause symptoms but can raise your risk of fractures
  • paradoxical bronchospasm (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Airsupra can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to an Airsupra inhaler, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Airsupra may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Airsupra compare with those of Symbicort?

Airsupra and Symbicort are both brand-name drugs prescribed for asthma. Both medications contain budesonide. But Airsupra contains albuterol plus budesonide, while Symbicort contains formoterol plus budesonide. So, these medications can cause some similar side effects and different ones, too.

Side effects of both drugs include:

  • cough
  • hoarse voice
  • increased risk of infection
  • oral thrush (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
  • paradoxical bronchospasm (see “Side effect specifics” for details about this serious side effect)

Some key differences include the following side effects that have been reported with Symbicort but not Airsupra:

  • back pain
  • stomach discomfort
  • hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
  • eosinophilia (a high level of certain white blood cells called eosinophils)

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about how Airsupra and Symbicort compare.

Does Airsupra cause long-term side effects?

In rare cases, Airsupra may cause some long-term side effects. Examples of side effects that may not go away, even after stopping Airsupra, include:

  • adrenal gland problems
  • cataracts
  • glaucoma
  • reduced bone density

These are serious side effects of Airsupra that may require additional treatment. For more information and a list of symptoms, see the “Serious side effects of Airsupra” section. If you experience symptoms of any of these side effects, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Airsupra may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Airsupra.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

Paradoxical bronchospasm is a rare but serious side effect reported with Airsupra. With bronchospasm, you experience tightening of your airways. Paradoxical means the effect is the opposite of what is expected: Airsupra is used to treat and help prevent bronchospasm. Paradoxical bronchospasm can rarely happen after using any inhaler, including Airsupra.

Symptoms of bronchospasm include:

Paradoxical bronchospasm can happen at any time while using Airsupra. But it’s most likely to happen when using the first dose of a new Airsupra canister.

What you can do

If you develop bronchospasm after using Airsupra, immediately stop using it and call your doctor.

If your symptoms feel life threatening, skip calling your doctor and seek emergency medical care. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Your doctor will likely have you stop using the medication if you have paradoxical bronchospasm after using Airsupra. They can recommend other treatments for asthma instead.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush is a commonly reported side effect of Airsupra. Oral thrush is a fungal infection affecting the inside of your mouth. This is a known side effect that can be caused by inhalers that contain an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). (Airsupra contains the ICS drug budesonide.)

Symptoms of oral thrush can include:

  • a thick, white or cream-like appearance on the tongue and inside the mouth
  • raised red bumps on the tongue or inside the mouth
  • cracks at the corner of your mouth
  • unpleasant mouth taste

What you can do

To lower your risk of oral thrush, rinse your mouth with water after each use of Airsupra. Do not swallow the water — be sure to spit it out after rinsing. (For details about how to use Airsupra and its recommended dosage, see this article.)

If you develop symptoms of oral thrush, tell your doctor. They can prescribe an antifungal medication to treat the infection. They may have you temporarily stop using Airsupra until the infection clears.

Below is important information you should consider before using Airsupra.

Before starting Airsupra, discuss your health history with your doctor. Airsupra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.