Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide) is a prescription drug used for asthma. Airsupra can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include cough, headache, and oral thrush.

Specifically, Airsupra is prescribed to adults with asthma to:

The active ingredients in Airsupra are albuterol and budesonide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes in a metered-dose inhaler.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Airsupra can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Airsupra treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Mild side effects have been reported with Airsupra. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Airsupra unless your doctor recommends it.

Airsupra may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Airsupra, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Serious side effects have been reported with Airsupra. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while using Airsupra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Airsupra, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Airsupra, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Airsupra’s side effects.

How do side effects of Airsupra compare with those seen with Xopenex?

Both Airsupra and Xopenex (levalbuterol) may cause similar side effects. But each drug has unique side effects as well.

For example, both Airsupra and Xopenex may cause:

  • headache*
  • heart-related effects, including increased blood pressure and increased heart rate
  • temporarily low potassium level
  • worsened bronchospasm

Airsupra may also cause oral thrush* and an increased risk of infection. These aren’t known to occur with Xopenex.

For lists of possible side effects of Airsupra, see the sections above. To learn more about the side effects of Xopenex, see this article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Does Airsupra cause long-term side effects?

It’s rare but possible.

Specifically, long-term use of Airsupra may lead to adrenal insufficiency. With this side effect, the adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol. Possible symptoms of this side effect include:

  • fatigue (low energy)
  • muscle weakness
  • digestive problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
  • feeling more irritable than usual

Long-term use of Airpura may also lead to eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts. Possible symptoms may include blurry vision, halo vision (seeing rings with bright lights), and headache.

These side effects weren’t reported in Airsupra’s studies. But adrenal insufficiency and eye problems are known risks of long-term treatment with corticosteroids. (Airsupra contains budesonide, a corticosteroid, as one of its active ingredients.)

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Airsupra and how long they may last.

Learn more about some of the side effects Airsupra may cause.

Headache

Headache was a common side effect reported in studies of Airsupra. Headache may cause symptoms such as head pain and sensitivity to sound or light.

What might help

Talk with your doctor if you have a bothersome or long-lasting headache during Airsupra treatment. They can recommend over-the-counter options to help relieve your symptoms. Examples include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen).

Oral thrush

Oral thrush was a common side effect reported in studies of Airsupra. Oral thrush is a type of fungal infection in your throat or mouth. This side effect may cause symptoms such as:

  • yellow or white spots on your throat, tongue, or mouth
  • burning or soreness in your mouth
  • difficulty swallowing
  • loss of taste

What might help

To lower your risk of oral thrush, rinse your mouth with water after each dose of Airsupra. Make sure to spit the water out and not swallow it. This will help remove any remaining Airsupra from your mouth, lowering the risk of getting oral thrush.

If you have symptoms of oral thrush during Airsupra treatment, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely prescribe an antifungal drug to treat the infection. Your doctor can also recommend ways to manage your symptoms. For example, they may suggest home remedies such as rinsing your mouth with salt water.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Airsupra can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies. But there have been reports of allergic reaction since since Airsupra became available.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Airsupra, they’ll decide whether you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Airsupra, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Airsupra treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were using when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Airsupra affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before starting Airsupra.

Warnings

Airsupra can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Airsupra is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Airsupra. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Alcohol and Airsupra

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Airsupra.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Airsupra treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Airsupra

Before starting Airsupra treatment, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed.

Pregnancy

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Airsupra during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Airsupra.

If you use this drug while pregnant, consider signing up for the asthma drug pregnancy registry by visiting the website or calling 877-311-8972. A pregnancy registry collects information about the safety of certain drugs when used during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

It isn’t known whether Airsupra is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

Like most drugs, Airsupra can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. However, most are temporary and go away after a few days to weeks. If you have questions about side effects that Airsupra can cause, talk with your doctor.

Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • Could other medications I take increase my risk of side effects from Airsupra?
  • Are there any side effects of Airsupra I should tell you about right away?
  • Are there ways to reduce my risk of side effects from Airsupra?

To learn more about Airsupra, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.