Conivaptan Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 30, 2024.

Applies to conivaptan: intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of conivaptan

Along with its needed effects, conivaptan 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 conivaptan:

More common side effects

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the site
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet
• blurred vision
• decreased urine
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pounding in the ears
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• slow or fast heartbeat
• tingling of hands or feet
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss

Less common side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• bluish color
• change in consciousness
• changes in skin color
• chest pain
• cold sweats
• confusion
• cool pale skin
• cough
• decreased urination
• depression
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• fainting
• fear
• fever or chills
• flushed, dry skin
• frequent urge to urinate
• fruit-like breath odor
• increase in amount of urine
• increase in heart rate
• increased hunger
• increased urination
• loss of consciousness
• lower back or side pain
• mental changes
• muscle spasms [tetany] or twitching
• nightmares
• pale skin
• problems in urination
• rapid breathing
• shakiness
• slurred speech
• sneezing
• sore mouth or tongue
• sore throat
• sunken eyes
• sweating
• swelling of the foot or leg
• tenderness
• thirst
• tightness in the chest
• trembling
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
• wrinkled skin

Other side effects of conivaptan

Some side effects of conivaptan 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 side effects

• diarrhea

Less common side effects

• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• redness of the skin
• unusually warm skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to conivaptan: intravenous solution.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were infusion site reactions (including phlebitis), pyrexia, hypokalemia, headache, and orthostatic hypotension.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Cardiac failure event (32%), orthostatic hypotension (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hypotension, atrial dysrhythmia^[Ref]

During clinical trials, this drug was administered to patients who were hypervolemic and hyponatremic with underlying heart failure. Adverse cardiac failure events (32%), atrial dysrhythmias (5%), and sepsis (8%) occurred more frequently in this patient population treated with this drug compared to those treated with placebo.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Infusion site phlebitis (up to 51%), infusion site reaction (up to 22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Infusion site erythema, infusion site pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (up to 22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, thirst, post procedural diarrhea, electrocardiogram ST segment depression, sepsis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 10%)
• Frequency not reported: Osmotic demyelination syndrome^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Confusional state, insomnia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, pharyngolaryngeal pain^[Ref]

Further information

Conivaptan 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