Applies to sulfur hexafluoride: powder for suspension.
Warning
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.
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
Other 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
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]
