Elotuzumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 28, 2024.

Applies to elotuzumab: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine together with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or pomalidomide and dexamethasone while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Men and women should use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment with this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Infusion reactions may occur with this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have a skin rash, dizziness, fever or chills, headache, nausea or vomiting, slow or fast heartbeat, lightheadedness or fainting, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Call your doctor right away if you have a cough that would not go away, weight loss, night sweats, fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, or blurred vision. These may be symptoms of an infection.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of getting other types of cancer (including skin cancer). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

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

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

Serious side effects of elotuzumab

Along with its needed effects, elotuzumab 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 elotuzumab:

Other side effects of elotuzumab

Some side effects of elotuzumab 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 elotuzumab: intravenous powder for injection.

Dermatologic adverse events

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

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (47%), constipation (36%), vomiting (15%), oropharyngeal pain (10%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Lymphopenia (13%)
• Frequency not reported: Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, deep vein thrombosis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Hypoalbuminemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (21%), weight loss (14%)
• Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, low bicarbonate, hyperkalemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Pain in extremities (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Peripheral neuropathy (27%), headache (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoesthesia^[Ref]

Ocular

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

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Invasive second primary malignancies (SPM)^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (62%), pyrexia (37%)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

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

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Acute renal failure^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (34%), nasopharyngitis (25%), upper respiratory tract infection (23%), pneumonia (20%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory tract infection, pulmonary embolism^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Herpes zoster^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Infusion related reaction^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What is Empliciti (elotuzumab)? and how does Empliciti work?

Further information

Elotuzumab 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