Conditions and symptoms
What Is Wheezing? When Labels Say Seek Help
Wheezing · say it: WEE-zingAlso written: wheeze, wheezy breathing
Short answer
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing, usually caused by narrowed or inflamed airways.
What it means
Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound made when air flows through narrowed airways in the lungs, usually heard when breathing out. Common causes include asthma, chest infections and COPD. It can also be part of an allergic reaction. Wheezing that comes on suddenly with difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or blue lips is an emergency and needs urgent medical help.
Wheezing appears on medicine labels in two ways. Inhaler and bronchodilator labels list it as a symptom they relieve. Other labels, such as those for beta-blockers, some pain medicines and antibiotics, list it as a sign of a possible reaction, such as bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, that should be reported straight away.
Wheezing is a sound; bronchospasm is the tightening of airway muscles that often causes it. Stridor is a different, harsher noise, usually when breathing in, that comes from the upper airway and can be more urgent.
Where you may see it
- The 'Uses' section of inhaler and bronchodilator labels
- Allergy warnings on over-the-counter and prescription medicine labels
- Clinic and emergency notes describing chest examinations
📄 How it looks on a report
Stop use and seek medical help right away if you experience wheezing, facial swelling or difficulty breathing.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Wheezing does not always mean asthma. Infections and other conditions can cause it.
- Wheezing listed on a label does not mean the medicine will cause it in you.
- A wheeze that goes away is still worth mentioning to your doctor, especially if it keeps coming back.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Wheezing”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Albuterol
A bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) of the beta-2 adrenergic type. The FDA class is not listed, so this description comes from the label's own wording.
- Aspirin
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a platelet aggregation inhibitor
- Atenolol
a beta-blocker (beta-adrenergic blocker). The label describes it as a beta 1-selective, or cardioselective, blocking agent.
- Esomeprazole
An acid reducer. The label gives this as its purpose, and no specific drug class is listed.
- Levothyroxine Sodium
a synthetic thyroid hormone (L-thyroxine, also called T4), described on the label as chemically identical to the hormone made by the human thyroid gland
- Loratadine
a non-drowsy antihistamine, a type of medicine that works against allergy symptoms
- Metoprolol Tartrate
A beta blocker. The label describes it as a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocking agent, which means it mainly blocks beta-1 receptors, found largely in the heart.
- Rifampin
an antibiotic of the rifamycin type
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Wheezing” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “wheezing”
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