Blinatumomab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 11, 2020.

• Consumer
• Professional
• FAQ

In Summary

Commonly reported side effects of blinatumomab include: encephalopathy, seizure disorder, febrile neutropenia, opportunistic infection, balance impairment, confusion, cytokine release syndrome, disorientation, headache, impaired consciousness, tremor, fever, hypotension, increased serum alanine aminotransferase, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, nausea, neutropenia, speech disturbance, and bacteremia. Other side effects include: pneumonia, sepsis, tumor lysis syndrome, and increased serum bilirubin. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to blinatumomab: intravenous powder for solution

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, blinatumomab 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 blinatumomab:

More common

• Agitation
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• chills
• confusion
• cough
• dizziness
• fever
• headache
• hoarseness
• irritability
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rapid, shallow breathing
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• sore throat
• stiff neck
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• troubled breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• Cloudy urine
• darkened urine
• discouragement
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• extremely high fever or body temperature
• eye pain
• feeling sad or empty
• general feeling of illness
• irritability
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• mood or mental changes
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose
• pounding in the ears
• problems with speech or speaking
• rash
• slow or fast heartbeat
• stomach pain
• sweating
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• trouble sleeping
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• yellow eyes or skin

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of blinatumomab 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

• Bone, joint, or muscle pain
• change in urination
• decreased appetite
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• dry mouth
• increased hunger or thirst
• irregular heartbeat
• muscle pain or cramps
• pain in the arms or legs
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to blinatumomab: intravenous powder for injection

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, tachycardia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Rash (e.g., erythema, rash, erythematous rash, generalized rash, macular rash, maculopapular rash, papular rash, vesicular rash)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 25%), constipation (up to 20%), diarrhea (e.g., colitis, diarrhea, enteritis, and neutropenic colitis) (up to 20%), abdominal pain (up to 15%), vomiting (up to 13%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Febrile neutropenia (up to 25%), anemia (up to 18%), neutropenia (up to 16%), thrombocytopenia (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Leukopenia, leukocytosis, lymphopenia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Capillary leak syndrome^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

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

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Cytokine release syndrome (up to 11%), various pathogen infections (44%), bacterial infections (19%), fungal infections (15%), viral infections (13%), increased weight (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, sepsis, decreased immunoglobulins, increased blood bilirubin, increased gammaglutamyl-transferase, increased liver enzymes^[Ref]

Local

Common (1% to 10%): Cytokine storm^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (up to 23%), hypomagnesemia (up to 12%), hyperglycemia (up to 11%), decreased appetite (up to 10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypophosphatemia, tumor lysis syndrome, hypoalbuminemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Back pain (14%), pain in extremity (up to 12%), bone pain (11%), arthralgia (10%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 36%), tremor (e.g., resting tremor and tremor) (up to 20%), dizziness (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Encephalopathy, paresthesia, aphasia, convulsion, memory impairment, cognitive disorder

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Speech disorder^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (up to 62%), peripheral edema (up to 25%), fatigue (up to 17%), chills (up to 15%), chest pain (up to 11%)

INVESTIGATIONS:

Very common (10% or more): Increased alanine aminotransferase (up to 12%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (up to 11%)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 15%),

Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, disorientation^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough (up to 19%), dyspnea (e.g., acute respiratory failure, bronchial hyperactivity, bronchospasm, dyspnea, dyspnea exertional, respiratory distress, respiratory failure, wheezing) (up to 15%)

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

Frequently asked questions

• How is Blincyto taken / administered?
• Is Blincyto (blinatumomab) chemotherapy?

Further information

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