Ado-trastuzumab Emtansine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 13, 2025.

Applies to ado-trastuzumab emtansine: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while receiving the medicine and at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is receiving it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 7 months after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 4 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper right stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may cause heart failure. Your doctor may test your heart before and during treatment. Contact your doctor right away if you have chest pain, increased coughing, trouble breathing, rapid weight gain, or swelling in your ankles or legs. These could be symptoms of heart failure.

Tell your doctor right away if you are having shortness of breath, chest tightness, or any type of breathing problem while receiving this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious lung problem.

Ado-trastuzumab emtansine may cause a serious infusion reaction, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have a fever, chills, chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, headache, rash, trouble breathing, or weakness while you receive the medicine or after the infusion.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

Talk with your doctor before receiving this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men and women who receive this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

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.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, ado-trastuzumab emtansine 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 ado-trastuzumab emtansine:

Other side effects

Some side effects of ado-trastuzumab emtansine 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:

See also:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ado-trastuzumab emtansine: intravenous powder for injection.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Left ventricular dysfunction, hypertension, peripheral edema^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, alopecia, nail disorder, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (40%), constipation (24%), vomiting (20%), diarrhea (20%), dry mouth (16%), abdominal pain (16%), stomatitis (15%), stomatitis
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, gingival bleeding^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (12%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Hemorrhage (35%), thrombocytopenia (25%), anemia (15%), hemorrhage
• Common (1% to 10%): Neutropenia, leucopenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Transaminases increased (12%)

Common (1% to 10%):

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatotoxicity, hepatic failure, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, portal hypertension
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Portal hypertension, hepatic failure, nodular regenerative hyperplasia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

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

Immunologic

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

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Blood alkaline phosphatase increased^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (36%), arthralgia (19%), myalgia (13%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (28%), peripheral neuropathy (23%), asthenia, chills
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, dysgeusia, memory impairment^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Dry eye, conjunctivitis, blurred vision, lacrimation increased^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (37%), pyrexia (23%), asthenia (16%), chills (10%)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (12%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Epistaxis (24%), cough (20%), dyspnea (13%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonitis^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site extravasation, infusion-related reactions^[Ref]

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Further information

Ado-trastuzumab emtansine 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