Alupent Side Effects

In clinical trials involving Alupent, side effects of the drug included nervousness, headaches, and a sore throat, among other things. Although most people tolerate Alupent well, you should notify your healthcare provider immediately if you develop serious side effects, such as signs of an allergic reaction, breathing problems that are getting worse, or an irregular heart rhythm.

 

An Introduction to Alupent Side Effects

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Alupent® (metaproterenol sulfate). However, not everyone who takes Alupent 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 Alupent inhaler. Alupent 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 Alupent. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Alupent side effects with you.)
 

Common Alupent Side Effects

Alupent 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 Alupent 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.
     
(Alupent Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;