Peptide Graded

Terlipressin

Is Terlipressin safe?

Boxed warning: respiratory failure

AStrong human evidenceFDA approvedas of 2026-10-26

The boxed warning covers serious or fatal respiratory failure. The highest risk is in patients with fluid overload or grade 3 acute-on-chronic liver failure. The drug must not be used in patients who are already hypoxic or have worsening breathing symptoms. Belly pain, nausea, diarrhea and shortness of breath were the most common side effects in trials. 12

Terlipressin constricts blood vessels. So it can cause ischemia of the heart, gut, skin or limbs. It must not be used in people with ongoing coronary, peripheral or mesenteric ischemia. The label also warns of side effects such as respiratory failure or ischemia. These may make a patient on the transplant list ineligible for a liver transplant. 2

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More on Terlipressin

Citations

  1. Wong 2021, NEJM: Terlipressin plus albumin for the treatment of type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (CONFIRM) doi.org
  2. Terlivaz (terlipressin) prescribing information drugs.com

Reference information only, not medical advice. Drawn from the Terlipressin article, fact-checked against the cited sources. No dosing anywhere on this site.