Vasodilation and capillary leak
Hypotension
Jitteriness
Temperature elevation
Hypocalcemia
Inhibition of platelet aggregation
Apnea (one must be ready to intubate when starting Prostaglandins!)
Long term adverse effects
Infusions > 120 hours: gastric outlet obstruction, reversible cortical proliferation
of the long bones. Widened fontanels, pre-tibial swelling and soft tissue swelling are
seen in infusions > 9days.
Infusions > 3 months: cortical hyperostosis and periostitis which resolves over
weeks after therapy is discontinued
Dosing
Initial dose: 0.05-0.1 mcg/kg/minute by continuous IV infusion
Maintenance dose: 0.01-0.03 mcg/kg/minute
If possible, initial dose should be weaned to minimize side effects
When on prostaglandins, maintenance fluids should be increased by 20% because of
capillary leak.