Kadcyla Side Effects
Generic name: ado-trastuzumab emtansine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 18, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Kadcyla Side Effects associated with ado-trastuzumab emtansine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Kadcyla.
Applies to ado-trastuzumab emtansine: intravenous powder for solution.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Intravenous route (powder for solution)
Do not substitute ado-trastuzumab emtansine with or for trastuzumab.
Hepatotoxicity, liver failure, reductions in left ventricular ejection fraction, and death have occurred in ado-trastuzumab emtansine-treated patients.
Monitor hepatic function and left ventricular function before beginning treatment and before each dose.
Modify, hold, or discontinue treatment as necessary.
Exposure to ado-trastuzumab emtansine during pregnancy can result in embryo-fetal harm.
Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective contraception.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while receiving the medicine and at regular visits. 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.
Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is receiving it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 7 months after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 4 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper right stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
This medicine may cause heart failure. Your doctor may test your heart before and during treatment. Contact your doctor right away if you have chest pain, increased coughing, trouble breathing, rapid weight gain, or swelling in your ankles or legs. These could be symptoms of heart failure.
Tell your doctor right away if you are having shortness of breath, chest tightness, or any type of breathing problem while receiving this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious lung problem.
Ado-trastuzumab emtansine may cause a serious infusion reaction, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have a fever, chills, chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, headache, rash, trouble breathing, or weakness while you receive the medicine or after the infusion.
This medicine 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.
Talk with your doctor before receiving this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men and women who receive this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).
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 Kadcyla
Along with its needed effects, ado-trastuzumab emtansine (the active ingredient contained in Kadcyla) 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 ado-trastuzumab emtansine:
More common side effects
- black, tarry stools
- bladder pain
- bleeding gums
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred vision
- burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
- chills
- cough
- decreased urine
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- increased thirst
- irregular heartbeat
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- mood changes
- muscle pain or cramps
- nausea
- nervousness
- nosebleeds
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- pounding in the ears
- rapid weight gain
- seizures
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sore throat
- stomach pain
- 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
- vomiting
- weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common side effects
- chest pain
- dilated neck veins
- extreme tiredness or weakness
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- irregular breathing
- skin rash
- thickening of bronchial secretions
Rare side effects
- dark urine
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- light-colored stools
- stomach bloating
- vomiting blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
- agitation
- confusion
- decreased awareness or responsiveness
- depression
- hostility
- irritability
- itching
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- loss of consciousness
- muscle twitching
- severe sleepiness
- stomach tenderness or cramps
Other side effects of Kadcyla
Some side effects of ado-trastuzumab emtansine 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
- belching
- change in taste
- constipation
- diarrhea
- difficulty with moving
- heartburn
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of taste
- muscle stiffness
- stomach discomfort or upset
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- trouble sleeping
Less common side effects
- burning, dry, or itching eyes
- discharge or excessive tearing
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
For healthcare professionals
Applies to ado-trastuzumab emtansine: intravenous powder for injection.
Cardiovascular adverse events
- Common (1% to 10%): Left ventricular dysfunction, hypertension, peripheral edema[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Very common (10% or more): Rash (12%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, alopecia, nail disorder, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, urticaria[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Nausea (40%), constipation (24%), vomiting (20%), diarrhea (20%), dry mouth (16%), abdominal pain (16%), stomatitis (15%), stomatitis
- Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, gingival bleeding[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (12%)[Ref]
Hematologic
- Very common (10% or more): Hemorrhage (35%), thrombocytopenia (25%), anemia (15%), hemorrhage
- Common (1% to 10%): Neutropenia, leucopenia[Ref]
Hepatic
- Very common (10% or more): Transaminases increased (12%)
Common (1% to 10%):
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatotoxicity, hepatic failure, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, portal hypertension
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Portal hypertension, hepatic failure, nodular regenerative hyperplasia[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity[Ref]
Immunologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Immunogenicity[Ref]
Metabolic
- Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (11%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Blood alkaline phosphatase increased[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (36%), arthralgia (19%), myalgia (13%)[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (28%), peripheral neuropathy (23%), asthenia, chills
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, dysgeusia, memory impairment[Ref]
Ocular
- Common (1% to 10%): Dry eye, conjunctivitis, blurred vision, lacrimation increased[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (37%), pyrexia (23%), asthenia (16%), chills (10%)[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (12%)[Ref]
Respiratory
- Very common (10% or more): Epistaxis (24%), cough (20%), dyspnea (13%)
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonitis[Ref]
Local
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site extravasation, infusion-related reactions[Ref]
See also:
Trodelvy
Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) is a targeted therapy used to treat breast cancer (triple-negative ...
Enhertu
Enhertu is a treatment for breast cancer, stomach cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer with HER2 ...
Verzenio
Verzenio is used to treat early and advanced-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast ...
Kisqali
Kisqali (ribociclib) is used to treat a certain type of advanced metastatic breast cancer. Includes ...
Keytruda
Keytruda is used to treat multiple types of cancer such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer ...
Arimidex
Arimidex is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Learn about side effects ...
Femara
Femara lowers estrogen levels and is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Learn ...
Xeloda
Xeloda is used to treat breast and colorectal cancers. Learn about side effects, interactions and ...
Herceptin
Herceptin is used to treat patients with metastatic breast cancer. Learn about side effects ...
References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
3. (2022) "Product Information. Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine)." Genentech
Frequently asked questions
- What are monoclonal antibodies?
- What is the success rate of Enhertu in metastatic breast cancer?
- What is TDM1 chemotherapy?
- How long can you take Kadcyla?
- Is Kadcyla a chemotherapy drug? How does it work?
- Does Kadcyla cross the blood brain barrier?
More about Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: HER2 inhibitors
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
Further information
Kadcyla 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.