Aloxi Side Effects
Generic name: palonosetron
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 18, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Aloxi Side Effects associated with palonosetron. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Aloxi.
Applies to palonosetron: intravenous solution.
Precautions
Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after leaving the hospital or cancer treatment center.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, a fast heartbeat, fever, hives, itching, irritation, hoarseness, joint pain, stiffness or swelling, rash, redness of the skin, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet, tightness in the chest, or trouble breathing or swallowing after receiving this medicine.
Palonosetron may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if taken together with some medicines such as fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tramadol (Ultram®), or medicines to treat depression (such as mirtazapine, Remeron®). Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines with palonosetron (the active ingredient contained in Aloxi) /i>.
Common side effects of Aloxi
Some side effects of palonosetron 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 side effects
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- headache
Less common side effects
- acid or sour stomach
- belching
- bloated or full feeling
- blood in the urine
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- change in vision
- chills
- continuing ringing or buzzing
- cough
- decrease in frequency of urination
- decrease in urine volume
- deep breathing
- difficulty in passing urine
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- excessive sleeping
- eye irritation
- fear
- feeling happy
- feeling of warmth
- flushed dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- hearing loss
- heartburn
- hiccups
- impaired vision
- increased hunger
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- indigestion
- joint pain
- large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches and pains
- muscle tremors
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- painful knees and ankles
- painful urination
- passing gas
- raised red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs or ankles
- rash
- red, sore eyes
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- runny nose
- sore throat
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- sugar in the urine
- swelling or protruding veins
- trouble sleeping
- unexplained noise in the ears
- unexplained weight loss
- unusually deep sleep
- unusually long duration of sleep
- vein discoloration
- weakness or heaviness of the legs
Serious side effects of Aloxi
Along with its needed effects, palonosetron 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 palonosetron:
Less common side effects
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- confusion
- difficult breathing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
- fainting
- fever
- irregular heartbeats that continue
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare side effects
- bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
- extra heartbeats
- nervousness
- pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck
- pounding in the ears
- slow or fast heartbeat
Incidence not known
- agitation
- diarrhea
- overactive reflexes
- poor coordination
- restlessness
- shivering
- talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
- trembling or shaking
- twitching
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking palonosetron:
Symptoms of overdose
- bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
- collapse
- gasping to breathe
- paleness of the skin
- seizures
For healthcare professionals
Applies to palonosetron: intravenous solution, oral capsule.
General adverse events
The most commonly reported side effects included headache, constipation, diarrhea, and dizziness.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia/sinus bradycardia, electrocardiogram QTc prolongation, hypotension, nonsustained tachycardia/tachycardia
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrioventricular (AV) block first degree, AV block second degree, conduction disorder, extrasystoles, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, sinus arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia, supraventricular extrasystoles, vein discoloration, vein distended
- Frequency not reported: Arrhythmia, blood pressure decreased, ECG T wave amplitude decreased, generalized edema, hot flash, ventricular extrasystoles
- Postmarketing reports: Shock[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea, flatulence
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea
- Frequency not reported: Intestinal hypomobility, salivary hypersecretion[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, weakness
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, feeling hot, motion sickness, pain, pyrexia, tinnitus
- Frequency not reported: Chills, fever[Ref]
Nervous system
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyskinesia, hypersomnia, paresthesia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, somnolence[Ref]
Hepatic
- Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased AST
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood bilirubin increased, elevated transaminases, hyperbilirubinemia
- Frequency not reported: Hepatic enzymes increased, transient, asymptomatic increases in AST and/or ALT and bilirubin[Ref]
Metabolic
- Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia, appetite decreased, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, metabolic disorders
- Frequency not reported: Electrolyte fluctuations, metabolic acidosis[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic dermatitis, pruritic rash, skin disorder, urticaria[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Euphoric mood, insomnia[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Glycosuria[Ref]
Respiratory
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cough, dyspnea, epistaxis, hiccups
- Frequency not reported: Hypoventilation, laryngospasm[Ref]
Ocular
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amblyopia, eye irritation, eye swelling[Ref]
Local
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Infusion site pain, infusion site reaction
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Injection site reaction
- Frequency not reported: Injection site burning, injection site discomfort, injection site induration, injection site pain[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, myalgia[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypersensitivity reactions
- Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis[Ref]
Hematologic
- Frequency not reported: Platelet count decreased[Ref]
Immunologic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Influenza-like illness
- Frequency not reported: Flu-like syndrome[Ref]
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References
1. (2003) "Product Information. Aloxi (palonosetron)." MGI Pharma Inc
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
More about Aloxi (palonosetron)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (2)
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: 5HT3 receptor antagonists
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
Further information
Aloxi 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.