The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea (75%)
- Cough (65%)
- Tiredness (63%)
- Fever (63%)
- Headache (60%)
- Stomach pain (58%)
- Vomiting (58%)
- Faster heart rate (55%)
- Diarrhea (53%)
- Trouble breathing (53%)
- Electrolyte changes in blood (up to 50%)
- Higher white blood cells (50%)
- Trouble sleeping (43%)
- Rash (43%)
- Swelling (40%)
- Heart rhythm changes (40%)
- Shivering (38%)
- Sore throat (35%)
- Itching (33%)
- Joint aches (33%)
- Numbness (33%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Nosebleeds
- Muscle aches
- Low blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Bone pain
- Neck pain
- Lower appetite
- Depression
- Vaginal bleeding
- Blurred vision
- Eye irritation
- Dry eye
- Earache
- Ringing in the ears
Arsenic Trioxide serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Differentiation syndrome: fever, fluid build-up and swelling in the lower legs, weight gain, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, kidney problems
- Changes in heart rhythm: lightheadedness, irregular heartbeat, blurry vision, fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures
- Brain damage: confusion, loss of consciousness, muscle coordination problems, seizures
Source: DailyMed
The following Arsenic Trioxide side effects have also been reported
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
Chills
decreased urine output
general feeling of illness
headache
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
loss of appetite
mood changes
muscle pain or cramps
numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
seizures
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Black, tarry stools
bluish lips or skin
blurred vision
dizziness or lightheadedness
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
increased hunger
increased urine output
irregular or pounding heartbeat or pulse
painful or difficult urination
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach ache or cramps
sweating
swollen glands
unexplained weight loss
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weight gain
Incidence not known
Agitation
back pain
behavior changes similar to drunkenness
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
bluish fingernails, palms, or nailbeds
bruising
change in size, shape, or color of existing mole
cloudy urine
cold sweats
cool, pale skin
confusion
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
coughing or spitting up blood
dark urine
difficult, fast, noisy breathing
dilated neck veins
drowsiness
extreme tiredness or weakness
fainting
fast heartbeat
high fever
indigestion
irregular heartbeat, recurrent
irritability
joint pain
large hives, itching, or skin rash
loss of consciousness
mole that leaks fluid or bleeds new mole
painful blisters on the trunk of the body
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pale skin
persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose
rapid, shallow breathing
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
severe nausea
shakiness
stiff neck
sudden weight gain
tightness in the chest
swelling of the eyelids, lips, face, fingers, or lower legs
unsteadiness or awkwardness
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Confusion
muscle weakness, severe
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:
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.
