ProAir (albuterol) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to help prevent or treat bronchospasm (tightening of the airways). As with other drugs, ProAir can cause side effects, such as dizziness or headache.

ProAir 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.

ProAir comes in three forms: ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, and ProAir Digihaler. All three forms may be prescribed to help prevent or treat bronchospasm in adults and certain children.

Side effects may vary depending on which form of ProAir you’re prescribed. However, the more common side effects reported in clinical trials are similar for all forms of the drug.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used ProAir in clinical trials:

  • headache
  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • dizziness
  • mild heart problems*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with ProAir. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, or ProAir Digihaler.

Some mild side effects were only reported with ProAir RespiClick and ProAir Digihaler. These include:

Other mild side effects have been reported with all three forms of the drug. These include:

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 side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using ProAir and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, or ProAir Digihaler. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

ProAir may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, or ProAir Digihaler.

If you develop serious side effects while using ProAir, 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 have been reported in clinical trials of all three forms of ProAir. They include:

  • Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in your blood). Symptoms can include:
    • irregular heartbeat
    • constipation
    • muscle weakness or cramps
    • fatigue
  • Paradoxical bronchospasm (a sudden, unexpected tightening of the airways after inhaling the drug). Symptoms can include:
    • wheezing
    • cough
    • difficulty breathing
  • Serious heart problems.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, or ProAir Digihaler. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

ProAir is approved to help prevent and treat bronchospam in children ages 4 years and older. The most commonly reported side effects of ProAir in children include:

  • common cold
  • sore throat
  • vomiting

In the drug’s clinical trials, vomiting was only reported in children. It’s not expected to occur in adults.

Learn more about some of the side effects that ProAir may cause. The following side effects were reported in clinical trials of ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, and ProAir Digihaler. To find out how often these side effects occurred, see the prescribing information for each drug.

Heart problems

Heart problems, such as an increased heart rate, are possible when using ProAir. This was a common side effect of ProAir in clinical trials.

Symptoms of a fast heart rate can include:

In addition, based on how the drug works, it’s possible for ProAir to cause high blood pressure. This side effect doesn’t typically cause symptoms. However, extremely high blood pressure may cause:

  • confusion or drowsiness
  • headache
  • chest pain
  • vision changes

If you already have high blood pressure, ProAir may cause your blood pressure to become dangerously high. However, extremely high blood pressure wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

What you can do

If you notice any of the symptoms above, talk with your doctor right away. They can determine what may be causing the symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may stop prescribing ProAir and recommend a different medication.

If your symptoms feel severe or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Tremor

ProAir may cause tremors. This was a common side effect of the drug in clinical trials. However, it usually went away within 1 hour of using ProAir. Typically, it becomes less common within a few days to weeks of ProAir treatment.

In some cases, this side effect can contribute to insomnia.

What you can do

If you experience shakiness, nervousness, or tremor, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to manage this side effect. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or severe, your doctor may adjust your dose or recommend switching to a different medication.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, ProAir can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear how often this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using ProAir. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use ProAir. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

High blood pressure: Due to the way ProAir works, it may increase your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, using ProAir could increase it to a dangerously high level. In turn, extremely high blood pressure can increase your risk of severe heart problems, such as heart attack or stroke. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely monitor your blood pressure throughout treatment with ProAir. If it becomes dangerously high, they may stop prescribing this drug.

Heart problems: Before you start using ProAir, talk with your doctor about any heart problems you may have. ProAir may cause certain heart problems, including a fast heart rate or irregular heart rhythm. If you already have a heart problem, using ProAir may worsen your symptoms. Your doctor will determine whether ProAir is safe for you to use.

Low potassium level: Using ProAir may lower the level of potassium in your blood. If you already have low potassium, ProAir could make your condition more severe. Low potassium could cause muscle cramps or heart rhythm problems. If you have a history of low potassium, talk with your doctor before using ProAir. They may check your potassium level before and during treatment. If necessary, your doctor may recommend a potassium supplement.

Thyroid problems: If you have an overactive thyroid, talk with your doctor before you start using ProAir. Because of the way this drug works, using ProAir could worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor before using ProAir to find out whether this drug is right for you.

Diabetes: If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor before they prescribe ProAir. Based on the way this drug works, it may increase your blood sugar. This side effect didn’t occur in clinical trials but has been reported since the drug was approved for use. If you have diabetes, your doctor will likely recommend monitoring your blood sugar more often during treatment.

Seizure: If you have a condition that causes seizures, talk with your doctor before you start using ProAir. Because of how this drug works, it may worsen an existing seizure disorder. Your doctor will determine whether ProAir is safe for you to use.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to ProAir or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe ProAir. Specifically, ProAir RespiClick and ProAir Digihaler contain small amounts of milk protein, but ProAir HFA does not. If you’ve ever had a dairy allergy, your doctor will likely not prescribe RespiClick or Digihaler for your condition. They’ll determine the safest treatment option for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not clear whether ProAir is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

There is a pregnancy registry that helps gather information on how asthma drugs can affect pregnancy. This registry is for people who use asthma medications during pregnancy. For more information about the pregnancy registry, call 877-311-8972 or visit the program website.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between ProAir and alcohol. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about drinking alcohol while using ProAir.

Most side effects from ProAir are mild and tend to go away on their own within a few days to weeks. You should talk with your doctor if any side effects last, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Proair, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from using the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about ProAir: For details about other aspects of ProAir, refer to this article.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about albuterol (the active drug in ProAir) and cost, see this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of ProAir, view this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about bronchospasm, see our asthma and allergies hub.

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.