Table 75-10.

Common Side Effects of Pharmacologic Therapies

Side Effect	Possible Causative Agent	Comment
Hypokalemia	Adrenergic agonists	Patients using prolonged hourly or continuous inhaled therapy or intravenous therapy should have serum potassium levels monitored
Tremor/agitation	Adrenergic agonists	Dose dependent
Hypertension	Corticosteroids, adrenergic agonists	May require reduction of dose, discontinuation of therapy, or addition of antihypertensive medication
Tachycardia, palpitations, ventricular premature contractions	Adrenergic agonists, aminophylline, theophylline	Usually dose dependent. Serum levels of methylxanthines should be monitored. The risk is increased with hypoxemia or acidemia
Hyperglycemia/glucosuria	Corticosteroids, adrenergic agonists	Resolves with completion or discontinuation of therapy
Emotional lability	Corticosteroids	Resolves with completion or discontinuation of therapy
Hyperphagia	Corticosteroids	Resolves with completion or discontinuation of therapy
Seizure	Theophylline, aminophylline	Serum levels of methylxanthines should be monitored. Risk is increased in the presence of acidosis
Elevated peripheral neutrophil count	Corticosteroids, adrenergic agonists (in particular, epinephrine)	May interfere with utility of the white blood count in assessing for infection