Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. You will need blood work done while you are taking 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 though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.
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.
Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.
This medication may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your care team if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.
This medication may increase blood sugar. The risk may be higher in patient who already have diabetes. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of diabetes while taking this medication.
Talk to your care team if you or your partner may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy and for 3 months after the last dose. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 3 months after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.
If your partner can get pregnant, use a condom during sex while taking this medication and for 3 months after the last dose.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 3 weeks after the last dose.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.
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
Bladder pain
bloody nose
bloody or cloudy urine
body aches or pain
blurred vision
chills
congestion
cracked lips
difficult or labored breathing
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
dryness or soreness of the throat
ear congestion
frequent urge to urinate
headache
hoarseness
joint or muscle pain
lack or loss of strength
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
nervousness
numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet
pounding in the ears
skin rash
slow or fast heartbeat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
stomach pain
stuffy or runny nose
swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
swelling or puffiness of the face
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tightness in the chest
voice changes
vomiting
Less common
Black, tarry stools
bloody stools
changes in skin color
delayed wound healing
pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
seizures
severe vomiting, sometimes with blood
stomach cramp
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
dark-colored urine
muscle cramps, spasms, or stiffness
pain or redness at the injection site
pale skin at injection site
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
unusual tiredness or weakness
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
blemishes on the skin
burning, dry, or itching eyes
change in taste
difficulty having a bowel movement
difficulty with moving
discharge or excessive tearing
discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
loss of appetite
loss of taste
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
swollen joints
trouble sleeping
Less common
Discouragement
feeling sad or empty
irritability
loss of interest or pleasure
tiredness
trouble concentrating
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.