Juxtapid Side Effects

Generic name: lomitapide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 8, 2023.

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

Applies to lomitapide: oral capsule.

Warning

Oral route (Capsule)

Lomitapide mesylate can cause elevations in transaminases. Measure ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin before initiating treatment and then ALT and AST regularly as recommended. During treatment, adjust the dose of lomitapide mesylate if the ALT or AST is 3 times the ULN or greater. Discontinue lomitapide mesylate for clinically significant liver toxicity. Lomitapide mesylate increases hepatic fat (hepatic steatosis) with or without concomitant increases in transaminases. Hepatic steatosis associated with lomitapide mesylate may be a risk factor for progressive liver disease, including steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Because of the risk of hepatotoxicity, lomitapide mesylate is available only through a restricted program called the Juxtapid® REMS Program. Prescribe lomitapide mesylate only to patients with a clinical or laboratory diagnosis consistent with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The safety and effectiveness of lomitapide mesylate have not been established in patients with hypercholesterolemia who do not have HoFH.

Serious side effects of Juxtapid

Along with its needed effects, lomitapide (the active ingredient contained in Juxtapid) 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 lomitapide:

More common

Arm, back, or jaw pain
chest pain or discomfort
chest tightness or heaviness
dark urine
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
fever
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting
sweating
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
yellow eyes and skin

Other side effects of Juxtapid

Some side effects of lomitapide 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

Acid or sour stomach
back pain
belching
chills
constipation
cough
decreased weight
diarrhea
dizziness
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
frequent urge to defecate
full or bloated feeling
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
heartburn
indigestion
joint pain
muscle aches and pains
passing gas
pressure in the stomach
shivering
sore throat
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
straining while passing stool
stuffy or runny nose
sweating
swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
trouble sleeping
weakness

Incidence not known

Hair loss or thinning of the hair

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to lomitapide: oral capsule.

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Chest pain (24%), angina pectoris (10%), palpitations (10%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (79%), nausea (65%), dyspepsia (38%), vomiting (34%), abdominal pain (34%), abdominal discomfort (21%), abdominal distention (21%), constipation (21%), flatulence (21%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (10%), defecation urgency ((10%), rectal tenesmus (10%), gastroenteritis (14%)^[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Increased ALT (17%), at least one elevation in ALT and/or AST greater than or equal to 3 times ULN (29%), hepatic steatosis: of 23 patients in a study for 78 weeks, 18 (78%) exhibited an increase in hepatic fat greater than 5% and 3 (13%) exhibited an increase greater than 20%^[Ref]