Metaproterenol Side Effects

Brand Names: Alupent

Please note - some side effects for Metaproterenol may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Metaproterenol - for the Consumer

Metaproterenol

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Metaproterenol:

Difficulty sleeping; dizziness; headache; hyperactivity; nausea; nervousness; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Metaproterenol:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased difficulty breathing; itching; pounding in the chest; severe or persistent dizziness; swelling; tremors; wheezing; worsened asthma symptoms.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Metaproterenol Aerosol

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Metaproterenol Aerosol:

Cough; difficulty sleeping; dizziness; headache; hyperactivity; nausea; nervousness; stomach upset; throat irritation.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Metaproterenol Aerosol:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased difficulty breathing; itching; numbness of an arm or leg; pounding in the chest; severe or persistent dizziness; sudden, severe headache; swelling; tremors; vision changes; vomiting; wheezing; worsened asthma symptoms.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Metaproterenol Solution

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Metaproterenol Solution:

Cough; difficulty sleeping; dizziness; headache; hyperactivity; nausea; nervousness; stomach upset; throat irritation.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Metaproterenol Solution:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased difficulty breathing; itching; numbness of an arm or leg; pounding in the chest; severe or persistent dizziness; sudden, severe headache; swelling; tremors; vision changes; vomiting; wheezing; worsened asthma symptoms.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Metaproterenol Syrup

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Metaproterenol Syrup:

Difficulty sleeping; dizziness; headache; hyperactivity; nausea; nervousness; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Metaproterenol Syrup:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased difficulty breathing; itching; pounding in the chest; severe or persistent dizziness; swelling; tremors; wheezing; worsened asthma symptoms.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

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Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

General

Metaproterenol has been usually well-tolerated and adverse effects that occurred were consistent with its pharmacological activity. Additionally, partial or complete tolerance may develop to these side effects. In general, the severity of these effects are dependent on the dose and the route of administration. Metaproterenol given by metered dose inhaler (MDI) is associated with less systemic effects than administration of higher dosages orally or by nebulizer.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included palpitations and peripheral vasodilation, commonly resulting in reflex tachycardia. This may be caused by the interaction of metaproterenol with beta-1 and beta-2 receptors. Blood pressure may increase or decrease. Metaproterenol in higher dosages may rarely aggravate angina, myocardial ischemia, or cause atrial or ventricular arrhythmias.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included tremors. Tolerance often develop to the tremorogenic effects following prolonged use of this medication. Severe muscle cramping may occur infrequently.

Metabolic

The hypokalemic effect is due to the stimulation of beta-2 receptors that are linked to sodium-potassium ATPase in skeletal muscles, resulting in an intracellular influx of potassium.

Metabolic side effects have included hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperglycemia, and elevations in plasma insulin.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, headache, dizziness, and insomnia.

Other

Other side effects have included the development of tachyphylaxis to the bronchodilating effects of metaproterenol. Although conflicting data exist, complete clinical tolerance has not been observed.

Hypersensitivity

A 25-year-old woman respiratory therapist with a history of an itchy dermatitis on the face, neck, and upper extremities showed a positive reaction to metaproterenol on skin patch testing.

Hypersensitivity side effects have included rare reports of dermatitis.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included pulmonary edema in pregnant patients receiving the drug intravenously.

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