An Introduction to Side Effects of Pirbuterol
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with
pirbuterol acetate (
Maxair®). However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate pirbuterol 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 pirbuterol. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of pirbuterol side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Pirbuterol
Pirbuterol 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 pirbuterol side effects included:
- Nervousness -- in up to 6.9 percent of people
- Shakiness (tremors) -- up to 6 percent
- Headaches -- up to 2 percent
- Nausea -- up to 1.7 percent
- Feelings of a forcefully or rapidly beating heart (heart palpitations) -- up to 1.7 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 1.2 percent
- Cough -- up to 1.2 percent.