Flolan Side Effects

Generic name: epoprostenol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 29, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Flolan.

Applies to epoprostenol: intravenous powder for solution Side Effects associated with epoprostenol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Flolan.

Applies to epoprostenol: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to make sure the medicine is working properly and to change the dosage if needed. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Report any signs of infection or reaction at the catheter site to your doctor right away. Also, if you develop a sudden fever, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Check with your doctor right away if you have blue lips and fingernails, chest pain, coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum, difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, increased sweating, pale skin, or swelling in the legs and ankles. These may be symptoms of pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).

This medicine may increase your risk of bleeding. Be extra careful to avoid injuries. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Gently brush and floss your teeth. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Prepare this medicine exactly as directed. Do not add anything or use any substitutions when mixing the solution.

This medicine may cause your blood pressure to decrease. Check with your doctor right away if you have a feeling of warmth or heat, flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck, headache, feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness, or sweating.

Do not suddenly stop using this medicine. Stopping or changing the dose of this medicine suddenly may bring on symptoms of your condition and can be dangerous. Check with your doctor before stopping or changing your dose.

Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification card stating that you are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Flolan

Along with its needed effects, epoprostenol (the active ingredient contained in Flolan) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking epoprostenol:

Other side effects of Flolan

Some side effects of epoprostenol 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to epoprostenol: intravenous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects during initiation and dose escalation were nausea, vomiting, headache, hypotension, flushing, chest pain, anxiety, dizziness, bradycardia, dyspnea, abdominal pain, musculoskeletal pain, and tachycardia.

The most frequently reported side effects during chronic dosing were jaw pain, headache, flushing, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, and anxiety/nervousness.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Palpitation (63%), flushing (up to 58%), cyanosis (up to 54%), tachycardia (up to 35%), pallor (up to 32%), hypotension (up to 27%), right heart failure (up to 25%), heart failure (23%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia, myocardial infarction, shock, peripheral vascular disorder, vascular disorder
• Postmarketing reports: High output cardiac failure^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 83%), headache (up to 83%), tremor (21%), hyperkinesia (up to 21%), syncope (up to 13%), hypesthesia (up to 12%), paresthesia (up to 12%), hyperesthesia (12%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea/vomiting (up to 67%), esophageal reflux/gastritis (61%), diarrhea (up to 50%), ascites (up to 23%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, dyspepsia, abdominal colic
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth

Postmarketing: Hepatic failure^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Pain/neck pain/arthralgia (up to 84%), nonspecific musculoskeletal pain (up to 84%), jaw pain (up to 75%), myalgia (44%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, leg cramp
• Frequency not reported: Collagen disease^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Weight decreased (45%), pain (up to 29%), chills/fever/sepsis/flu-like symptoms (25%), fever (21%), hemorrhage/ hemorrhage injection
• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, sepsis, septicemia, procedural complication
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Lassitude
• Frequency not reported: Fatigue, edema, catheter-related infection^[Ref]

site/ hemorrhage rectal (11%), chest pain (11%)

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, bleeding
• Postmarketing reports: Anemia, hypersplenism, pancytopenia, splenomegaly^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyperthyroidism^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Hypoxia (up to 55%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, pneumothorax, hemothorax, cough increased, epistaxis, pharyngitis, pleural effusion, sinusitis, pulmonary edema, respiratory disorder
• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary embolism^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Infection (18%), pain (up to 13%)
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Erythema^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Anxiety/nervousness (up to 21%), depression (up to 13%), agitation (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Postmarketing reports: Acute confusional state^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Skin ulcer (39%), eczema/rash/urticaria (up to 25%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, cellulitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Hematuria, urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Hepatic failure^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (up to 66%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia
• Frequency not reported: Blood glucose increased^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Flolan 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.

Medical Disclaimer