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Ventavis Side Effects

Generic name: iloprost

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 7, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about iloprost. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Ventavis.

Summary

Common side effects of Ventavis include: trismus, increased cough, vasodilation, and flushing. Other side effects include: glossalgia, and insomnia. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to iloprost: inhalation solution.

Serious side effects of Ventavis

Along with its needed effects, iloprost (the active ingredient contained in Ventavis) 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 iloprost:

Incidence not known

  • Black, tarry stools
  • chest pain
  • cough
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • extreme fatigue
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • fever
  • hives, itching, or rash
  • irregular breathing
  • noisy breathing
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, fingers, feet, or lower legs
  • tightness in the chest
  • troubled breathing or swallowing
  • unusual bleeding or bruising

Other side effects of Ventavis

Some side effects of iloprost 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

  • Back pain
  • chills
  • cough increased
  • coughing or spitting up blood
  • difficulty opening the mouth
  • feeling of warmth
  • headache
  • lockjaw
  • nausea
  • redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  • sweating
  • trouble sleeping

Less common

  • Change in taste
  • mouth irritation
  • tongue irritation or pain

Incidence not known

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to iloprost: inhalation solution.

General

The most frequently reported side effects were vasodilation (flushing), cough increased, headache, trismus, insomnia, nausea, hypotension, vomiting, alkaline phosphatase increased, flu syndrome, back pain, tongue pain, palpitations, syncope, GGT increased, muscle cramps, hemoptysis, and pneumonia.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Vasodilation/flushing (up to 27%), hypotension (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia, palpitation

Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure, supraventricular tachycardia[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting, mouth/tongue irritation, mouth/tongue pain

Frequency not reported: Dysgeusia[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 30%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, syncope[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough increased (up to 39%), epistaxis, hemoptysis

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, throat irritation, pneumonia

Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, wheezing

Postmarketing reports: Nasal congestion[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Pain in jaw/trismus (up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, muscle cramps[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Kidney failure[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Flu-like syndrome (14%), peripheral edema (up to 12.2%), chest discomfort/chest pain

Common (1% to 10%): Alkaline phosphatase increased, GGT increased[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Bleeding events

Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia[Ref]

References

1. "Product Information. Ventavis (iloprost)." Actelion Pharmaceuticals US Inc (2005):

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0

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.

Medical Disclaimer