Esmolol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 14, 2024.

Applies to esmolol: intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of esmolol

Along with its needed effects, esmolol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking esmolol:

More common side effects

• blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• increased sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• itching of skin
• numbness and tingling of face, fingers, or toes
• pain in arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in calves and/or heels upon exertion
• pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
• weak or absent pulses in legs

Rare side effects

• blue lips and fingernails
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• changes in skin color
• changes in vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• convulsions
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• decrease in frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• delusions
• dementia
• difficult, fast, noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• difficulty with speaking
• feeling of warmth
• feeling unusually cold
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• loss of bladder control
• muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
• no heartbeat
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg
• painful urination
• paleness of skin
• peeling of skin
• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
• shivering
• shortness of breath
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung when listening with a stethoscope
• sudden loss of consciousness
• swelling, redness, or burning of skin where the needle is placed
• tightness in chest

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking esmolol:

Symptoms of overdose

• dilated neck veins
• extreme fatigue
• irregular breathing
• no blood pressure or pulse
• stopping of heart
• swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• unconsciousness
• weight gain

Other side effects of esmolol

Some side effects of esmolol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• hardening or thickening of skin where the needle is placed
• nausea

Less common side effects

• anxiety
• dry mouth
• headache
• hyperventilation
• irritability
• nervousness
• restlessness
• shaking
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

Rare side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• change in taste or bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• heartburn
• indigestion
• lack of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• shoulder pain
• stomach soreness, discomfort, upset, or pain
• stuffy nose
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• weight loss

For healthcare professionals

Applies to esmolol: intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia, atrioventricular block, pulmonary arterial pressure increased, cardiac failure, ventricular extrasystoles, nodal rhythm, angina pectoris, peripheral ischemia, pallor, flushing, chest pain, asystole
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Sinus pause
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Sinus arrest, asystole, thrombophlebitis
• Frequency not reported: Accelerated idioventricular rhythm, coronary arteriospasm, cardiac arrest^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Diaphoresis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin discoloration, erythema
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Skin necrosis (due to extravasation)
• Frequency not reported: Psoriasis, angioedema, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysgeusia, dyspepsia, constipation, dry mouth, abdominal pain^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reaction, infusion site reaction, infusion site inflammation, infusion site induration
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Infusion site burning, infusion site ecchymosis
• Frequency not reported: Infusion site phlebitis, infusion site vesicles, blistering^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, somnolence, headache, paresthesia, weakness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope, convulsion, speech disorder, light headedness^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Musculoskeletal pain^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Visual impairment^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, pyrexia, edema, pain^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, anxiety, disturbance in attention, confusion, agitation
• Uncommon (less than 1%): Abnormal thinking^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (less than 1%): Dyspnea, pulmonary edema, bronchospasm, wheezing, nasal congestion, rhonchi, rales^[Ref]

Further information

Esmolol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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