Terlipressin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 25, 2024.

Applies to terlipressin: intravenous powder for solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (powder for solution)

Warning: Serious Or Fatal Respiratory Failure. Terlipressin may cause serious or fatal respiratory failure.

Patients with volume overload or with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) Grade 3 are at increased risk.

Assess oxygenation saturation (eg, SpO2) before initiating terlipressin.Do not initiate terlipressin in patients experiencing hypoxia (eg, SpO2 less than 90%) until oxygenation levels improve.

Monitor patients for hypoxia using continuous pulse oximetry during treatment and discontinue terlipressin if SpO2 decreases below 90%.

Serious side effects of terlipressin

Along with its needed effects, terlipressin 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 terlipressin:

More common side effects

• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• confusion
• decrease in amount of urine
• difficult or trouble breathing
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
• unusual tiredness
• weight gain

Less common side effects

• constipation
• diarrhea
• headache
• itching skin
• nausea
• numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
• pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
• severe numbness, especially on one side of the face or body
• stomach pain, usually after eating a meal
• sweating
• vomiting
• weak or absent pulses in the legs

Incidence not known

• blue-green to black skin discoloration
• coma
• decreased urine output
• increased thirst
• muscle pain or cramps
• pain, redness, or sloughing of the skin at the place of injection
• seizures
• sores on the skin, especially on the thighs, breasts, penis, or buttocks
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

For healthcare professionals

Applies to terlipressin: intravenous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions with a frequency of 10% or greater were abdominal pain, nausea, respiratory failure, diarrhea, and dyspnea.

The most common adverse reactions that led to treatment discontinuation were respiratory failure, abdominal pain, and intestinal ischemia or obstruction.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Paleness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin necrosis unrelated to the site of administration, lymphangitis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Abdominal pain (19.5%), nausea (16%), diarrhea (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Transient abdominal cramps
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting, intestinal ischemia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia, hypertension, hypotension, ischemia, ischemia-related events, vasoconstriction, pallor, supra-ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation, ventricular extrasystoles, tachycardia, cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, torsade de pointes, cyanosis, hot flushes, chest pain, fluid overload with pulmonary edema, angina pectoris, peripheral cyanosis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Ventricular fibrillation
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Myocardial ischemia^[Ref]

Ischemia-related events included skin discoloration, cyanosis, ischemia, and intestinal ischemia.^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Local cutaneous necrosis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Fluid overload (8.5%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyponatremia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyperglycemia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Triggering of a convulsive disorder
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Stroke^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis (5.5%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Uterine hypertonus, uterine ischemia
• Frequency not reported: Decreased serum sodium, uterine constriction, decreased uterine blood flow
• Postmarketing reports: Gangrene^[Ref]

In a clinical study, 67% of the patients developed acute reduction in serum sodium.^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Decreased serum creatinine^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Respiratory failure (15.5%), dyspnea (12.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pleural effusion (5.5%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, pain in the chest, bronchospasm^[Ref]

Further information

Terlipressin 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