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
- Low platelet counts (up to 83%)
- Low white blood cell counts (60%)
- Elevated liver enzymes (29%)
- Nausea (40%)
- Fatigue (36%)
- Muscle, bone, or joint pain (36%)
- Low potassium levels (33%)
- Bleeding (32%)
- Headache (28%)
- Constipation (27%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Nosebleeds
- Pain or tingling in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy)
- Anemia
- Fever
- Weakness
- Cough
Note: Side effects and percentages are reported from studies of people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer.
Kadcyla serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver injury: pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark or brown urine
- Heart problems: chest pain, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath that usually worsens with activity or when lying flat, fatigue, swelling in your legs or feet, sudden weight gain (more than 5 lbs in 24 hours)
- Lung damage: cough, shortness of breath, fever
- Infusion-related reaction: trouble breathing, wheezing, dizziness, fever, chills, flushing, chest pain
- Allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the mouth or lips
- Severe bleeding or severely low platelet counts: sudden or painful headache, changes in vision, coughing or spitting up blood
Source: DailyMed
The following Kadcyla 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
Black, tarry stools
bladder pain
bleeding gums
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
chills
decreased urine
difficult or labored breathing
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
headache
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
mood changes
muscle pain or cramps
nervousness
nosebleeds
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
pounding in the ears
rapid weight gain
seizures
slow or fast heartbeat
stomach pain
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing with exertion
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common
dilated neck veins
extreme tiredness or weakness
general feeling of discomfort or illness
irregular breathing
skin rash
thickening of bronchial secretions
Rare
Dark urine
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
light-colored stools
stomach bloating
vomiting blood
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Agitation
confusion
decreased awareness or responsiveness
hostility
irritability
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
loss of consciousness
muscle twitching
severe sleepiness
stomach tenderness or cramps
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
Belching
change in taste
difficulty with moving
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
loss of taste
muscle stiffness
stomach discomfort or upset
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
trouble sleeping
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.
Other Kadcyla articles
