Eribulin Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 27, 2025.
Applies to eribulin: intravenous solution.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after your final dose to keep from getting pregnant. Male patients should also use effective form of birth control during and for 3.5 months after treatment with this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Eribulin can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
- If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
- Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
- Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
- Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
- Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
- Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.
Check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.
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 eribulin
Along with its needed effects, eribulin 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 eribulin:
More common side effects
- black, tarry stools
- bladder pain
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- bloody or cloudy urine
- body aches or pain
- burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
- chills
- convulsions
- cough
- decreased urine
- decreased weight
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dry mouth
- ear congestion
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- increased thirst
- irregular heartbeat
- loss of appetite
- loss of voice
- lower back or side pain
- mood changes
- muscle pain or cramps
- nasal congestion
- nausea or vomiting
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pale skin
- rapid weight gain
- runny nose
- sneezing
- sore throat
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing with exertion
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unsteadiness or awkwardness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight gain or loss
- weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Incidence not known
- fainting
- irregular heartbeat, recurrent
Other side effects of eribulin
Some side effects of eribulin 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
- acid or sour stomach
- back pain
- belching
- bone pain
- change in taste
- cracked lips
- depression
- diarrhea
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- difficulty with moving
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- heartburn
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of taste
- muscle spasm or weakness
- muscle stiffness
- pain in the arms or legs
- pain in the joints
- rash
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- trouble sleeping
- watering of the eyes
- weight loss
For healthcare professionals
Applies to eribulin: intravenous solution.
Hematologic adverse events
- Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (up to 82%), anemia (up to 58%)
- Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (up to 10%)
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria, hematuria, proteinuria, hematuria, leukopenia, lymphopenia[Ref]
In one study, grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 28% of patients, 29% experience grade 4 neutropenia, and 5% of patients experienced febrile neutropenia. Dose reductions due to neutropenia occurred in 12% of patients and discontinuation was required in less than 1% of patients. Grade 3 or greater thrombocytopenia was reported in 1% of patients. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was used in 19% of patients treated with this drug.[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Peripheral neuropathy (up to 35%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Dysgeusia, dizziness, hypoesthesia, lethargy, neurotoxicity, polyneuropathy, peripheral sensory neuropathy, paresthesia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 35%), constipation (up to 25%), diarrhea (up to 18%), vomiting (up to 18%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, stomatitis, dry mouth, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, mouth ulceration, mucosal inflammation, abdominal distension
- Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): QT prolongation, tachycardia, peripheral edema[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (up to 45%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus, nail disorder, night sweats, palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia, dry skin, erythema, hyperhidrosis[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (up to 10%)
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria, hematuria, proteinuria
v[Ref]
Hepatic
- Common (1% to 10%): Alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, gamma glutamyl transferase increased, hyperbilirubinemia[Ref]
Metabolic
- Very common (10% or more): Weight decreased (up to 21%), anorexia (up to 20%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia/Myalgia (up to 22%), back pain (up to 16%), bone pain (up to 12%), pain in extremity (up to 11%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal chest pain[Ref]
Ocular
- Common (1% to 10%): Lacrimation increased, conjunctivitis[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Asthenia/Fatigue (up to 54%), pyrexia (up to 21%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Disseminated intravascular coagulation, oral herpes, mucosal inflammation, hot flushes, pain, chills, peripheral neuropathy, headache
- Frequency not reported: Tinnitus[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Very common (10% or more): Headache
- Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, depression[Ref]
Respiratory
- Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 16%), cough (up to 14%)
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, rhinitis
- Frequency not reported: Oropharyngeal pain, epistaxis, rhinorrhea[Ref]
Immunologic
Very common (10% or more):
- Common (1% to 10%): Oral candidiasis, influenza-like illness, mucosal inflammation
- Postmarketing reports: Pneumonia, sepsis/neutropenic sepsis[Ref]
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References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
2. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (2006) APPGuide online. Australian prescription products guide online. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp
3. (2010) "Product Information. Halaven (eribulin)." Eisai Inc
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Further information
Eribulin 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.