Abrocitinib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 18, 2024.

Applies to abrocitinib: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis skin test.

This medicine should not be used together with medicine that prevents blood clots during the first 3 months of treatment.

Some women who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Your body's ability to fight infections may be reduced while you are using abrocitinib. It is very important that you call your doctor at the first sign of an infection. Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, cough, flu-like symptoms, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections (eg, herpes, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fungal infection) more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

This medicine may increase your risk of cancer (eg, lymphoma, lung cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer). Tell your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, general feeling of illness, swollen glands, weight loss, yellow skin and eyes, persistent non-healing sore, reddish patch or irritated area, shiny bump, pink growth, or white, yellow or waxy scar-like area on the skin.

This medicine may increase your risk of developing blood clots (eg, arterial thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), especially in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are 50 years of age and older and with a heart or blood vessel disease. Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, chest pain, cough, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, fast heartbeat, pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg, pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs, severe headaches, sudden loss of coordination, sudden onset of slurred speech, sudden vision changes, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

This medicine may increase your risk of serious heart or blood vessel problems (eg, heart attack, stroke), especially in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are 50 years of age and older and with a heart or blood vessel disease. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, confusion, difficulty in speaking, double vision, headache, inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles, nausea, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, sweating, trouble breathing, or vomiting

While you are being treated with abrocitinib, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Abrocitinib may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

This medicine may increase the level of cholesterol and fat in your blood. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of abrocitinib

Some side effects of abrocitinib 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:

Serious side effects of abrocitinib

Along with its needed effects, abrocitinib 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 abrocitinib:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to abrocitinib: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions were headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, oropharyngeal pain, upper abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, nasopharyngitis, gastroenteritis, impetigo, influenza, hypertension, acne, contact dermatitis, herpes simplex infection, herpes zoster infection, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, urinary tract infection, and thrombocytopenia.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, major adverse cardiovascular events^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Overall infection (up to 26%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, serious infection, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, influenza, creatinine phosphokinase elevations^[Ref]

Herpes simplex also included oral herpes, ophthalmic herpes, herpes dermatitis, genital herpes.^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Malignancies^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Lymphopenia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 14.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain upper, gastroenteritis, vomiting^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Acne, impetigo, contact dermatitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infections^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Retinal detachment^[Ref]

Metabolic

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

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (up to 13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Oropharyngeal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What are the most common skin conditions? (with photos)

Further information

Abrocitinib 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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer