What are some lingering questions you have?
All questions are safe here. What asthma-related topics would you like to know more about? Post your question here and our health leaders and community members will answer the best they can!
I am interested in the side effects of long term use of asthma drugs, especially albuterol,
I too am very interested to know long term effects of not only albuterol, but inhaled corticosteroids which I've been on for about 50 years. I'm 64. I strongly believe they have cardiovascular repercussions. Hypertension, Arrythmias ...?
Hi there, your concerns about the long term effects of albuterol are valid and a common concern. One of our moderators and authors posted an article accounting his take on the long term side-effects of inhaled corticosteroids. Take a look and let us know what you think! https://asthma.net/living/inhaler-side-effects -Lauren (team member)
Hi
- thanks for joining in to this topic of conversation. From my perspective - it is an excellent topic! Over the many years of taking care of patients with asthma, as well as being a long term asthma patient myself, your question has been brought up on a consistent basis.
Generally speaking, physicians who I have worked with, tell their patients (who use albuterol), there is nothing to be concerned about. When used correctly and, in the absence of individual side effects (for some patients), the medication is considered safe to use. I have seen this myself with patients and, it has also been my own experience.
This does not mean the medication does not have side effects and it also typically does not apply to the over-use of the medication. However, those circumstances can vary from patient to patient.
I thought you might gain some additional insight from this article (from the Mayo Clinic): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/expert-answers/albuterol-side-effects/faq-20058088, which focuses on one aspect of your concern.
I thought you also might find it helpful to look over this article, by our own, which is his take on the long term effects of Albuterol and other inhalers: https://asthma.net/living/inhaler-side-effects.
Please keep in mind that medications affect every patient differently so, what is good (or bad), for one individual, might not be so for another.
Have you had an opportunity to discuss your concerns with your own private medical doctor (PMD)? It might be worthwhile to find out what your doctor thinks about this topic and how it relates to your specific level of disease.
What do you think?
Leon L (author/moderator)I can’t do anything around my house that I become short of breath!! It’s so annoying! I’m 73 and I’ve been treated for the last 10 years but when I was in high school & would have to do track I was out of breath but no body said or did anything about it then!
you sound similar to me I'm 71 in Australia iv been getting treated for about 6 yrs I can't say I'm very happy with the treatment available here I live in a country area it's hard getting appointments lately since covid ,I usually find that the meds puffers ect don't give much relief it's hard where I live as bush fires happen often and the smoke isn't much fun we also had worse floods in 50 yrs couple of yrs ago the large amounts of moulds after the floods were terrible and took a toll with a lot of people,.I have just purchased a shower stool I was told that it can make showering a lot easier ,since having covid back in Marchi get exhausted so easy plus I was told yesterday that I had irregular heart beat possibly from having covid on top of my asthma situation, I tried really hard not to catch covid stayed out of crowded places I had 5 vaccine shots but still ended up in hospital I think maybe I would have been sicker if I did not have vaccine shots,anyway I'm glad I found this forum take care your not alone. 
I read your post to and wanted to jump in. I too have a shower stool. It has helped me through many recovery periods from surgery and even Covid back a few years ago. I love it. I also have a few other things that I use such as a bed rail, and a toilet seat raiser. I even started iron supplements I was so tired. Back surgery has been rough for me. I am thinking of you.
As for the irregular heartbeat - I hope that you are managing this well. My husband recently was found to be in Afib and had a cardioversion because he stayed in Afib. We are trying to manage his irregular beat. What I wanted to say is that his Afib caused him extreme fatigue - so maybe you have a few things contributing to it. I really hope that your exhaustion becomes less and you begin to turn the corner. With warm regards, Rebecca (team member)
