Should I worry about my pupils shrinking when I use my albuterol inhaler?

I agree with the last poster - this is just an effect of being in a dark car and then checking out your pupils in bright light. I also use an albuterol inhaler for emergencies only, and I've had the same kind of weird eyesight thing too. I'm not exactly sure what causes it, but I don't believe it's anything to worry about. Albuterol makes you feel crappy altogether, so it doesn't surprise me. All of the other symptoms - the dizziness and the tremors - are very normal with albuterol. Like I said, it gives you that overall "crappy" feeling. If you start to get worried, just check in with your doctor. Good luck!

You really do need to be on a maintenance program. Your inhaler is for emergencies. Try contacting any associations or clinics to see if you could get help with medical bills. You will feel so much better once it is under control - the albuterol is short lived and does not keep the symptoms from coming back - just knocks them for the moment and that becomes ineffective when you continue to have the attack or if you get a respiratory infection. Perhaps your doctor could get you started on free samples - find a doctor for yourself not just the emergency room, they are only good for sucking chest wounds and heart attacks.

2006 Lippincott Nursing Drug Guide Lists the following as adverse effects of albuterol sulfate:

Most common: Restlessness, apprehension, anxiety, fear,

central nervous system stimulation, cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), sweating, pallor, flushing, nausea.

Life threatening: Bronchospasm.

Other side effects: Hyperkinesia, insomnia, tremor, drowsiness, irritability, weakness, vertigo, headache, tachycardia (heart rate over 100), palpitations, chest pain,

respiratory difficulty, coughing.

With CNS stimulation, I would tend to think your pupils would dilate, rather than constrict......However.....how bright was the

light when you were looking in the mirror???? Did it reflect off the mirror into your eyes?? That could have cause them to constrict.....it's always safer to report ANYTHING different to your healthcare provider....I'd tell my doctor if I were you, and let him make the decision. It's your health, after all, you have to be responsible and take care of yourself!!!!

your pupils were "shruken" or constricted because you looked at them in bright light after having driven in a dark car. this is normal and expected and absolutely nothing to do with your inhaler. the return to baseline is also normal as your pupils accomodated to the light in the room. you want to worry about pupils when one is bigger than the other, especially if one if much, much larger and there are other things going on.