Carfilzomib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 9, 2024.

Applies to carfilzomib: intravenous powder for solution.

Serious side effects of carfilzomib

Along with its needed effects, carfilzomib 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 carfilzomib:

More common side effects

• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or tightness
• confusion
• cough
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty with moving
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• headache
• hoarseness
• hostility
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• lower back or side pain
• muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
• nausea
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• pounding in the ears
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• severe sleepiness
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trembling
• trouble breathing
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting

Less common side effects

• chills
• continuing ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears
• fever
• hearing loss
• muscle pain or cramps
• painful blisters on the trunk of the body
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Rare side effects

• dark urine
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• light-colored stools
• stomach pain, continuing
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of 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
• blindness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• stomach pain
• sweating

Other side effects of carfilzomib

Some side effects of carfilzomib 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

• back pain
• body aches or pain
• bone pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• ear congestion
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• metallic taste
• muscle weakness
• pain in the arms or legs
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• trouble sleeping
• weight loss

For healthcare professionals

Applies to carfilzomib: intravenous powder for injection.

Hematologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (47%), thrombocytopenia (36%), lymphopenia (24%), neutropenia (21%), leukopenia (14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Deep vein thrombosis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), thrombotic microangiopathy, hemorrhage^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cardiac failure (i.e., pulmonary edema, decreased ejection fraction), atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, palpitations, flushing
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, pericarditis, pericardial effusion
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypertensive crisis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increased aspartate aminotransferase (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Increased alanine aminotransferase, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase, hyperbilirubinemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic failure, cholestasis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (28%), peripheral neuropathy (14%), dizziness (13%), hypoesthesia (12%), dizziness
• Postmarketing reports: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, paresthesia, hypoesthesia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Intracranial hemorrhage, cerebrovascular accident
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (56%), pyrexia (30%), peripheral edema (24%), chills (16%), arthralgia (16%), asthenia (14%), pain (12%), infusion reaction
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysphonia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Multi-organ failure^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (35%), upper respiratory tract infection (28%), cough (26%), pneumonia (13%), nasopharyngitis
• Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary hypertension, bronchitis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, epistaxis, rhinitis, wheezing
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lung infection
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute respiratory failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, interstitial lung disease, pneumonitis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (45%), diarrhea (33%), vomiting (22%), constipation (21%), abdominal pain
• Common (1% to 10%): Oropharyngeal pain, dyspepsia, toothache
• Rare (less than 0.1%): GI hemorrhage, GI perforation^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Increased blood creatinine (24%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Acute renal failure, renal failure, renal impairment, decreased creatinine renal clearance^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (14%), hypomagnesemia (14%), anorexia (12%), hyperglycemia (12%), hypercalcemia (11%), hypophosphatemia (11%), hyponatremia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, hypoalbuminemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tumor lysis syndrome^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (20%), extremity pain (13%), chest wall pain (11%), arthralgia, muscle spasms
• Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal chest pain, bone pain, myalgia, muscular weakness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (17.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Herpes zoster reactivation, sepsis, influenza, viral infection^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus, erythema, hyperhidrosis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

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

Hypersensitivity

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

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Cataract, blurred vision
• Frequency not reported: Blindness and other adverse visual disturbances (due to PRES)^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Is Kyprolis a chemo drug and how does it work?
• How is Kyprolis (carfilzomib) administered?

Further information

Carfilzomib 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