An Introduction to Side Effects of Metaproterenol
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with
metaproterenol sulfate (
Alupent®). However, not everyone who takes metaproterenol will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the medication well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
This article focuses on the metaproterenol inhaler. Metaproterenol also comes in tablets, syrup, and a solution that is inhaled using a machine called a nebulizer.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with metaproterenol. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of metaproterenol side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Metaproterenol
Metaproterenol has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
The most common side effect of metaproterenol is nervousness, which occurred in up to 6.8 percent of people. Some other common side effects (occurring in 1 percent to 4 percent of people) included:
- Headaches
- Shakiness (tremors)
- Dry mouth
- Feelings of a forcefully or rapidly beating heart (heart palpitations)
- A sore throat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Worsening of asthma.
