Halaven Side Effects

Generic name: eribulin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 27, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Halaven.

Applies to eribulin: intravenous solution Side Effects associated with eribulin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Halaven.

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 Halaven

Along with its needed effects, eribulin (the active ingredient contained in Halaven) 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:

Other side effects of Halaven

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:

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]

See also:

Further information

Halaven 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