Alecensa Side Effects

Generic name: alectinib

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jul 21, 2022.

Note: This document contains side effect information about alectinib. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Alecensa.

Applies to alectinib: oral capsule.

Serious side effects of Alecensa

Along with its needed effects, alectinib (the active ingredient contained in Alecensa) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking alectinib:

More common

Bloody urine
chest pain or discomfort
cough
decreased frequency or amount of urine
difficulty with moving
increased blood pressure
increased thirst
joint pain or swelling
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pains or stiffness
nausea
slow or irregular heartbeat
swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight gain

Less common

Clay-colored stools
dark urine
decreased appetite
fever
headache
itching or skin rash
stomach pain or tenderness
yellow eyes or skin

Rare

Difficulty breathing

Incidence not known

Back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
chills
general body swelling
nosebleeds
pale skin
sore throat

Other side effects of Alecensa

Some side effects of alectinib 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
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blurred vision
difficulty having a bowel movement
double vision
lack or loss of strength
rapid weight gain
rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
seeing double
seeing floating dark spots or material before the eyes
swelling around the eyes
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
vision changes

Less common

Change in taste
loss of taste

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to alectinib: oral capsule.

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Anemia (62%), lymphopenia (14%), neutropenia (14%)

Postmarketing reports: Hemolytic anemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Increased AST (51%), increased alkaline phosphatase (47%), hyperbilirubinemia (39%), increased ALT (34%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Increased CPK (43%), myalgia/musculoskeletal pain (29%), back pain (12%), back pain (12%)^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue/asthenia (26%), edema (e.g., peripheral edema, edema, eyelid edema, localized edema, face edema) (22%)^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hyperglycemia (36%), hypocalcemia (32%), hypokalemia (29%), hypophosphatemia (21%), hyponatremia (20%), increased weight (11%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Constipation (34%), nausea (18%), diarrhea (16%), vomiting (12%)^[Ref]

Renal

Very common (10% or more): Increased creatinine (e.g., increased blood creatinine, creatinine renal clearance decreased, glomerular filtration rate decreased, acute kidney injury) (28%)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Rash (e.g., acneiform dermatitis, erythema, and different types of rash [macular, papular, maculopapular, generalized, and pruritic]) (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Photosensitivity^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (17%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dysgeusia/hypogeusia^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough (19%), dyspnea (16%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Vision disorder (e.g., blurred vision, vitreous floaters, visual impairment, reduced visual acuity, asthenopia, diplopia) (10%)^[Ref]