9 Tyvaso Side Effects You Should Know About

Tyvaso (treprostinil) is an inhaled medication used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). It helps improve blood flow to your lungs and deliver more oxygen to your body. Tyvaso can help improve your breathing and ability to be physically active, but it can also cause some side effects that are helpful to know about.

Tyvaso side effects at a glance

Tyvaso comes in two forms: a nebulizer solution and a dry powder inhaler (DPI). Below is a list of the common and serious Tyvaso side effects reported in clinical studies.

Common Tyvaso side effects:

• Cough

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Nausea

• Flushing (more common with nebulizer solution)

• Dizziness (more common with nebulizer solution)

• Diarrhea (more common with nebulizer solution)

Rare or serious Tyvaso side effects:

• Increased risk of bleeding

• Low blood pressure

• Fainting (syncope)

• Sudden trouble breathing (bronchospasm)

• Allergic reaction

Next, we’ll take a closer look at nine possible Tyvaso side effects along with ways to manage them.

1. Cough

Cough is the most common Tyvaso side effect. Keep in mind that cough is also a common symptom of the lung conditions that Tyvaso treats. But Tyvaso may worsen your cough because inhaled medications can irritate your throat and lungs.

You’ll likely increase your Tyvaso dosage slowly over time to help minimize side effects like this. There are also some steps you can take to help lessen the chance of coughing with Tyvaso treatment, including:

• Drink very cold or very warm water just before each Tyvaso treatment.

• Eat a small amount of yogurt, honey, or peanut butter before each treatment to coat and protect your throat. 

• Consider trying a sore throat spray to numb your throat before inhaling Tyvaso.

If these tips don’t help with your cough, talk to your prescriber about lowering your dose or other suggestions to help. If you notice that it’s hard to breathe or you have chest pain along with a cough, seek medical care right away.

2. Headache

Headache is another common side effect of Tyvaso. But other medications and conditions can cause headaches, too. 

In most cases, you can manage your headache at home. Measures such as resting, applying a cool compress to your head, or taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), can be helpful. But nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen (Aleve) aren’t recommended because they can increase your bleeding risk — more on that later.

If headaches seem severe or don’t go away, contact your healthcare team. They can help determine the cause and recommend the best next steps for you. 

3. Sore throat

As with other inhaled medications, sore throat is a common side effect of Tyvaso. Throat pain and irritation seem to be more likely with Tyvaso nebulizer solution versus the DPI. But it can happen with both forms of Tyvaso. 

The above steps to help lessen coughing from Tyvaso can also help with throat irritation. If your throat is sore after your treatment, try sucking on sugar-free lozenges, using a numbing throat spray such as Chloraseptic (phenol), or taking an OTC pain reliever. Cold or warm liquids before and after your Tyvaso treatments can also help.

If your sore throat is preventing you from swallowing or eating normally, talk to your prescriber. They may need to adjust your Tyvaso dosage or which form of the medication you’re using.

4. Nausea

Nausea is another Tyvaso side effect for some people. As with other side effects, you’ll slowly increase your Tyvaso dosage over time to help keep nausea to a minimum.

Rinsing your mouth with water after each Tyvaso treatment may help reduce nausea. Other home remedies for easing nausea include:

• Eating smaller, more frequent meals.

• Avoiding fried, spicy, or high-fiber foods that can make nausea worse.

• Choosing bland foods while your symptoms persist.

If nausea doesn’t go away or feels severe, tell your prescriber. You may be able to continue Tyvaso at a lower dose that’s more tolerable. Or they may suggest adding a nausea medication to help.

5. Flushing

Tyvaso can cause flushing of your face and neck after it’s inhaled. Flushing occurs because Tyvaso causes your blood vessels to widen. When this happens to the blood vessels under your skin, it can cause redness, sweating, and a feeling of warmth.

While uncomfortable, flushing is usually temporary. A cool compress or personal fan may help cool you off and ease your symptoms. Your prescriber may recommend other ways to manage this side effect if it’s bothersome for you.

6. Diarrhea

Diarrhea can happen with Tyvaso, but it doesn’t seem to be as common as other side effects. It’s more likely to occur as your Tyvaso dosage increases.

You can usually deal with diarrhea at home by staying hydrated and following a bland diet for a short time. OTC antidiarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium), can help if your prescriber OKs them.

If your diarrhea doesn’t go away or seems severe, let your healthcare team know. They can help determine the cause and figure out a plan moving forward.

7. Dizziness and fainting

In some cases, Tyvaso may lower your blood pressure, which can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If dizziness occurs, it’s best to sit or lie down until it passes. Drinking plenty of fluids may also help, since dehydration can contribute to feeling dizzy.

In severe cases, low blood pressure can lead to fainting (syncope). Be sure to tell your prescriber if you have bothersome dizziness or you faint after using Tyvaso. They may want to change your dose or medication to lessen this side effect.

8. Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a possible Tyvaso side effect, but it’s less common than the others listed here. You may notice that you have trouble catching your breath for a short time with each dose increase of Tyvaso. But it’s usually temporary and goes away quickly. If this happens, it’s fine to pause your treatment session until your breathing returns to normal.

Keep in mind that feeling short of breath is also a common symptom of the lung conditions that Tyvaso treats. You and your healthcare team should monitor the symptoms of your condition to see how well your treatment plan is working for you. But let them know if you notice any significant changes in your breathing.

Rarely, Tyvaso may cause a sudden tightening of the airway (bronchospasm) after you inhale it. Bronchospasms are more likely if you have a history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). So be sure to let your prescriber know if this applies to you before starting Tyvaso. They may recommend an additional medication to help prevent bronchospasm before each Tyvaso treatment. 

If you feel a sudden tightness in your chest or can’t catch your breath after inhaling Tyvaso, seek emergency care right away.

9. Increased risk of bleeding

Tyvaso can interfere with your blood’s natural clotting process. This is related to how Tyvaso works, but it can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. 

No serious bleeding problems were reported in Tyvaso’s clinical trials. But because of this risk, it’s best to avoid other medications that may further increase your risk of bleeding. This includes NSAIDs and OTC supplements such as garlic and ginkgo biloba. Your prescriber can review your medication list to look for any other interactions that could raise your bleeding risk.

Keep an eye out for signs or symptoms of bleeding while you’re using Tyvaso. This can include nosebleeds or bleeding while brushing or flossing your teeth. Let your prescriber know if these symptoms appear. More serious bleeding requires emergency care. This includes blood in your urine or stool, or vomiting or coughing up blood.

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Written by:

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia has 16 years of pharmacist experience. She previously held positions as a community pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and hospital pharmacist.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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