Sulfur Hexafluoride Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 24, 2024.

Applies to sulfur hexafluoride: powder for suspension.

Important Warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (Powder for Suspension)

Serious cardiopulmonary reactions, including fatalities, have occurred uncommonly during or following the injection of ultrasound contrast agents, including sulfur hexafluoride lipid type A microspheres.

Most serious reactions occur within 30 minutes of administration.

Assess all patients for the presence of any condition that precludes administration and always have resuscitation equipment and trained personnel readily available.

Common side effects of sulfur hexafluoride

Some side effects of sulfur hexafluoride 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:

Rare

• change in taste
• loss of taste
• nausea
• pain or warmth at the injection site

Serious side effects of sulfur hexafluoride

Along with its needed effects, sulfur hexafluoride 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 sulfur hexafluoride:

Incidence not known

• blurred vision
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• cough
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fast, weak pulse
• flushing, redness of the skin
• headache
• hives or welts
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lightheadedness
• nervousness
• no blood pressure or pulse
• no breathing
• noisy breathing
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• seizures
• skin itching, rash, or redness
• stopping of heart
• sweating
• swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• tightness in the chest
• unconsciousness
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusually warm skin

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to sulfur hexafluoride: intravenous powder for injection.

General

The most common side effects are headache and nausea.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypotension
• Postmarketing reports: Arrhythmia, hypertensive episode, severe cardiopulmonary reactions^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactoid reaction^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, paresthesia, dizziness, dysgeusia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Sinus headache
• Frequency not reported: Loss of consciousness, vasovagal reaction^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abdominal pain^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, rash^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site reaction, injection site pain, injection site warmth^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood glucose increased^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

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

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, chest discomfort, pain, fatigue, feeling hot^[Ref]

Respiratory

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

Ocular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Blurred vision^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Insomnia^[Ref]

Further information

Sulfur hexafluoride 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.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer