Albuterol side effects in children: Is irritability normal?

Other treatment options are available, but you need to discuss them with your child's doctor.

Albuterol delivered by metered-dose inhaler is commonly used to treat mild allergic asthma. Albuterol, a short-acting bronchodilator, relaxes muscles that tighten around the airways during an asthma attack. But the drug does have potential side effects, including restlessness, irritability and nervousness. The side effects are more common with the liquid (oral) form of albuterol than with the inhaled form. Also, the risk of side effects increases with higher doses.

Talk to your doctor about your child's symptoms. Children may experience irritability or difficulty concentrating for a variety of reasons. Your doctor can evaluate whether the problem is related to the albuterol — or perhaps some other cause.

If albuterol is the likely culprit, your doctor may recommend reducing the dose to see if this decreases the side effects while still controlling your daughter's asthma. It may also be reasonable to switch your daughter to a different asthma medication. Options may include:

• Inhaled corticosteroids. These drugs reduce airway inflammation. However, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids may affect growth.
• Inhaled levalbuterol (Xopenex). Like albuterol, this short-acting bronchodilator opens up airways. But it may cause fewer side effects.
• Oral leukotriene modifiers, such as montelukast (Singulair). Although not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers reduce airway inflammation. Also, these medications are available in chewable tablets for younger children.