Sometimes albuterol is combined with ipratropium bromide for quick relief of an asthma flare-up. When taking beta-2 agonists, a person may feel a bit jittery, as if drinking too much coffee. The individual may have a rapid heart rate , mild shakiness in the hands, and trouble sleeping. This passes when the medication wears off. Overuse of beta-2 agonists can lead to serious arrhythmias , or irregular heartbeats.
Corticosteroids have few side effects when given by inhaler.
One common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids is a yeast infection in the mouth called oral thrush . Two recent studies have shown that the benefits of inhaled steroids in children significantly outweigh the risks. Children who were on inhaled steroids were much less likely to be taken to the emergency department or need treatment with more powerful medications. Although there was an initial lag in growth in children taking inhaled steroids, the lag quickly disappeared, and there was no measurable difference in adult height. When taken as tablets or liquid, corticosteroids may cause a variety of side effects, particularly when used long term.