What should I watch for?
Visit your doctor for regular check-ups. you will need important blood work done while you are taking this medicine.
This drug 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 doctor tells you to stop.
Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Be careful brushing and 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 medicine.
Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Women who are able to have children should use effective birth control before, during, and for 12 weeks after stopping this medicine. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.
Common and Rare Side Effects
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
cough or hoarseness
cracked lips
difficult or labored breathing
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
dryness or soreness of the throat
ear congestion
fever or chills
frequent urge to urinate
headache
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
Abdominal or stomach cramps
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
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
convulsions
dark-colored urine
muscle cramps or spasms
muscle 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 (stool)
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.
