Asthma is a disease that causes the airways, or bronchi, in the lung to become inflamed and produce large amounts of mucous. The combination of these two effects prevents air from reaching and leaving the lungs. Patients with asthma will manifest a persistent cough, trouble breathing and a feeling of tightness in the chest area. Many medications have been developed to help combat this disease. Physicians use these medications to successful control and prevent asthma attacks. Like all drugs, however, asthma medication can induce side effects that can be detrimental to the patient’s quality of life.
Nausea
Nausea is a common side effect attributed to asthma medications such as salmeterol, reports MedlinePlus. Nausea is a feeling of sickness accompanied by the urge to vomit. Typically, the patient can control the urge, but often the nausea forces the patient to vomit. Some asthma medications irritate the lining of the digestive tract and cause the release of chemicals that activate certain areas in the brain. These areas control the nausea to urge to vomit sensations. Patients who only suffer mild nausea or only a few episodes of vomiting can continue taking their current asthma medication. If the nausea and vomiting persist or become severe, however, then patients should stop taking their medication and ask their doctor for a different drug to treat their asthma.
Irritability and Restlessness
Patients taking asthma medications such as albuterol may exhibit signs of nervousness and restlessness, according to Drugs.com. The drug works by stimulating specific receptors in the body called beta-receptors. Once activated, these receptors cause a chemical to be released that causes the bronchi to open wider, but also cause sensations of anxiety, nervousness and restlessness. Often patients will complain of difficulty falling asleep and paranoia. Albuterol and similar drugs stimulate areas of the nervous system that control these emotions. Once the medication is stopped and exchanged for another asthma drug, these side effects should disappear.
Oral Irritation
Irritation of the mouth and throat can be a side effect of asthma medications. Corticosteroids, especially, can cause irritation to the oral cavity, according to MayoClinic.com. Since many asthma medications are taken via an inhaler, the pure form of the drug often comes into contact with the tissues of the mouth and throat. The asthma medication will irritate these tissues and cause pain, inflammation and discomfort. Often the affected area will turn red. Fortunately, this side effect is usually mild and resolves after the patient has taken the medication for a longer period of time. If the irritation becomes too severe, however, another type of asthma medication should be prescribed.
Member Comments