Crizanlizumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 31, 2025.

Applies to crizanlizumab: intravenous solution.

Precautions

Your doctor will check your or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. 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.

This medicine may cause infusion-related reactions, which can be life-threatening and require medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have a fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, itching skin or rash, sweating, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness after receiving this medicine.

Do not change your dose or suddenly stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

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 of crizanlizumab

Along with its needed effects, crizanlizumab 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 crizanlizumab:

Other side effects of crizanlizumab

Some side effects of crizanlizumab 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to crizanlizumab: intravenous solution.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reactions have included nausea, arthralgia, back pain, and pyrexia.^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (11%)

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (18%)
• Frequency not reported: Oropharyngeal pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (18%), Back pain (15%)
• Frequency not reported: Musculoskeletal chest pain, myalgia

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Pruritus

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Vulvovaginal pruritus

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anti-drug antibodies

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay, and therefore, comparison of the incidence of antibodies with the incidence of antibodies in other studies may be misleading. In a study in patients with sickle cell disease, 0 of 45 patients tested positive for anti-drug antibodies. In a study in healthy subjects 1 of 61 patients tested positive for antidrug antibodies.

Local

• Frequency not reported: Infusion-site extravasation, infusion-site pain, infusion-site swelling
• Postmarketing reports: Infusion-related pain occurring in various locations

There have been postmarketing reports of infusion-related pain occurring in various locations during/within 24 hours of the infusion. Some cases have required hospitalization.

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What type of drug is Adakveo and how does it work?
• How is Adakveo administered?

Further information

Crizanlizumab 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