Necitumumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 25, 2024.

Applies to necitumumab: intravenous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (solution)

Cardiopulmonary arrest and/or sudden death have been reported with necitumumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin.

Monitor serum electrolytes, including serum magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Hypomagnesemia has been reported with necitumumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin.

Monitor for hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia prior to each necitumumab dose and for at least 8 weeks after discontinuation.

Withhold treatment if grade 3 or 4 electrolyte abnormalities occur.

Serious side effects of necitumumab

Along with its needed effects, necitumumab 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 while taking necitumumab:

More common

• abdominal or stomach cramps
• confusion
• convulsions
• decreased urine
• difficulty with breathing
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of appetite
• mood or mental changes
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• muscle pain or muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
• tremor
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• anxiety
• back pain
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness
• chills
• cough
• difficulty with speaking
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• double vision
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• flushing
• headache
• heart stops
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• no breathing
• no pulse or blood pressure
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
• pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves of the legs
• severe headaches of sudden onset
• slow speech
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden onset of slurred speech
• sudden shortness of breath or troubled breathing
• sudden vision changes
• sweating
• trouble breathing
• unconscious

Other side effects of necitumumab

Some side effects of necitumumab 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

• blemishes on the skin
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• decreased weight
• diarrhea
• discharge or excessive tearing
• dry skin
• itching skin or rash
• loosening of the fingernails
• pimples
• rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
• redness or soreness around the fingernails
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth

For healthcare professionals

Applies to necitumumab: intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Venous thromboembolic events (VTE), arterial thromboembolic events (ATE), phlebitis
• Frequency not reported: Cardiopulmonary arrest^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (44%), dermatitis acneiform (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Acne, pruritus, dry skin, skin fissures^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Vomiting (29%), diarrhea (16%), stomatitis (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysphagia, mouth ulceration^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Infusion related reactions^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypomagnesemia (83%), hypocalcemia (45%), hypocalcemia (albumin corrected) (36%), hypophosphatemia (31%), hypokalemia (28%), weight loss (13%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysgeusia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis (includes conjunctivitis, eye irritation, vision blurred, conjunctivitis bacterial, dry eye, visual acuity reduced, blepharitis, allergic blepharitis, conjunctiva hemorrhage, eye infection, eye pain, lacrimation increased, ocular hyperemia, Sjogren's syndrome, visual impairment, and eye pruritus)
• Frequency not reported: Eyelash trichomegaly^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported: Non-Squamous NSCLC -increased toxicity and increased mortality^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Hemoptysis (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary embolism, epistaxis, oropharyngeal pain^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

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

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, dysuria^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia^[Ref]

Further information

Necitumumab side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer