Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.
This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even through you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.
You may need blood work while taking this medication.
This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
Talk to your care team if you or your partner wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. A negative pregnancy test is required before starting this medication. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication. Talk to your care team about effective forms of contraception. Do not father a child while taking this medication and for 3 months after the last dose. Use a condom while having sex during this time period.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:
More common
Abdominal or stomach pain or cramps
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
bloody nose
blurred vision
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
change in walking and balance
chills
clumsiness or unsteadiness
cold sweats
coma
convulsions
cool, pale skin
cough or hoarseness
decreased or uncontrolled urination
difficulty with breathing
discouragement
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
fast or irregular heartbeat
feeling sad or empty
feeling unusually cold
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
headache
incoordination
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
irritability
loss of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
lower back, side, or stomach pain
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
muscle weakness
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
nightmares
numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands, feet, fingertips, or mouth
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
paralysis or severe weakness of the legs
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rapid breathing
seizures
shakiness and unsteady walk
shivering
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
slurred speech
small red or purple spots on the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stuffy or runny nose
sunken eyes
sweating
swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
swollen glands
tightness in the chest
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
troubled breathing with exertion
uncontrolled bowel movements
unexplained weight loss
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
wrinkled skin
yellow eyes or skin
Less common
Change in taste
loss of memory
loss of taste
problems with memory
Some side effects 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
Back pain
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
difficulty with moving
full or bloated feeling
joint pain
lack or loss of strength
muscle aching or stiffness
pain in the arms or legs
pressure in the stomach
swelling of the abdomen or stomach area
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
swollen joints
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.