Can QVAR And Albuterol Cause Heart Palpitations?

Posted on Sun, 8 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 8 Feb 2015 Answered on

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I use QVAR and Albuterol as directed for asthma. However, recently I have had heart palpitations at night which have woken me up regularly. Could these medications be the cause, or my use of them?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Caused by Albuterol

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
Albuterol is a beta stimulant and is the probable cause for palpitations.
QVAR is a steroid and is a preventer medicine. It is to be inhaled twice a day. It doesn't cause palpitation. Albetrol is a reliever medication. It is to be used only if you have wheezing or breathing difficulty.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar