Fat emulsion Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 18, 2023.
Applies to fat emulsion: intravenous emulsion.
Serious side effects of Fat emulsion
Along with its needed effects, fat emulsion 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 fat emulsion:
More common
- Blurred vision
- dry mouth
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- increased hunger
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- nausea
- sweating
- trouble breathing
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Less common
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- chills
- confusion
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dizziness
- fainting
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- lower back or side pain
- nervousness
- pale skin
- pounding in the ears
- rapid, shallow breathing
- slow or fast heartbeat
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Rare
- Chest pain or tightness
- changes in skin color
- clay-colored stools
- cough
- dark urine
- eye pain
- general feeling of illness
- itching, skin rash
- loss of appetite
- pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
- sneezing
- sore throat
- unpleasant breath odor
- vomiting of blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- bluish color
- chest tightness
- confusion
- difficulty in swallowing
- irregular heartbeat
- muscle cramps, pain, or tremors
- numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- problems with bleeding or clotting
- restlessness
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stomach cramps
- swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
- swollen glands
- trouble breathing
- upper right abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
Other side effects of Fat emulsion
Some side effects of fat emulsion 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:
Less common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- bloated
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- full feeling
- heartburn
- indigestion
- passing gas
- stomach discomfort or upset
Rare
- Change in taste
- loss of taste
Incidence not known
- Increased sweating
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to fat emulsion: intravenous emulsion.
Cardiovascular
Adult patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia
Pediatric patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypertension
Postmarketing:
Frequency not reported: Palpitations, phlebitis[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Adult patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain, dyspepsia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea
Pediatric patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain[Ref]
Dermatologic
Adult patients:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, pruritus
Pediatric patients:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash
Postmarketing:
Frequency not reported: Hyperhidrosis[Ref]
General
The most common adverse events in pediatric patients were anemia, vomiting, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase, and nosocomial infection.
Genitourinary
Adult patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection[Ref]
Hepatic
Adult patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood bilirubin
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cholestasis, liver function test abnormalities, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase
Frequency not reported: Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis
Pediatric patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Increased gamma-glutamyl transferase, cholestasis, hyperbilirubinemia, increased conjugated bilirubin, increased alanine aminotransferase
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): liver function test abnormalities
Postmarketing:
Frequency not reported: Cholestasis[Ref]
Hematologic
Adult patients
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Leukocytosis, increased C-reactive protein
Pediatric patients:
Very common (10% or more): Anemia
Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, increased C-reactive protein[Ref]
Nervous system
Adult patients:
Frequency not reported: Dysgeusia, headache, dizziness[Ref]
Metabolic
Adult patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia, increased blood triglycerides
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased alkaline phosphatase
Pediatric patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased alkaline phosphatase, metabolic acidosis, increased blood triglycerides
Postmarketing:
Frequency not reported: Fatty acid deficiency[Ref]
Other
Adult patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia, fever, device related infections, sepsis
Pediatric patients:
Common (1% to 10%): Nosocomial infection, pyrexia, sepsis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Infection, fluid overload
Postmarketing:
Frequency not reported: Chills, malaise[Ref]
Respiratory
Adult patients:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea, pneumonia
Postmarketing:
Frequency not reported: Dyspnea, chest pain[Ref]
More about fat emulsion
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: intravenous nutritional products
Patient resources
- Fat emulsion advanced reading
- Fat emulsion and soybean oil (Advanced Reading)
- Fat emulsion, fish oil, and soybean oil (Advanced Reading)
- Fat Emulsion (Plant Based)
Other brands
Intralipid, Nutrilipid, Omegaven, SMOFlipid, Clinolipid
Related treatment guides
References
1. Product Information. Intralipid (fat emulsion, intravenous). Baxter I.V. Systems Division. 2018.
2. Product Information. Smoflipid (fat emulsion, intravenous). Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC. 2018.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.