Lonafarnib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 12, 2024.

Applies to lonafarnib: oral capsule.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine 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 to keep from getting pregnant during treatment. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine together with atorvastatin, ketoconazole, lovastatin, rifampin, or simvastatin. Do not use this medicine for 10 to 14 days before and 2 days after using midazolam.

This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

This medicine may cause kidney problems. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have agitation, blood in the urine, coma, confusion, decreased urine output, depression, dizziness, headache, irritability, lethargy, muscle twitching, nausea, rapid weight gain, seizures, stupor, swelling of the face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if eye pain or a change in vision occurs during treatment. These could be a sign of a serious eye problem. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Some men and women who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan 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 lonafarnib

Along with its needed effects, lonafarnib 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking lonafarnib:

Other side effects of lonafarnib

Some side effects of lonafarnib 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 lonafarnib: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The more commonly reported adverse reactions have included gastrointestinal reactions, fatigue, infection, and laboratory abnormalities.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Vomiting (90%), diarrhea (81%), nausea (56%), abdominal pain (48%), constipation (22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Flatulence

Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions were the most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials. Vomiting was reported as mild, moderate, or severe in 30 (53%), 26 (46%) in 1 (2%) of patients, respectively. Nausea was reported as mild or moderate in 34 (97%) and 1 (3%) patient, respectively. Four patients discontinued therapy mostly due to nausea or vomiting. For patients experiencing diarrhea, the majority reported it as mild or moderate.

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Myelosuppression

Myelosuppression includes absolute neutrophil count decreased, low total white blood cells, lymphopenia, decreased hemoglobin, and hematocrit low.

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infection (78%)

Infection includes abdominal infection, candidiasis, chicken pox, Clostridium difficile colitis, colitis, croup, dengue fever, flu syndrome, flu-like symptoms, fungal infection, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal infection, Helicobacter pylori infection, infection, infection viral, influenza, nail infection, otitis media, parotitis, perirectal abscess, pneumonia, small intestine infection, submandibular lymphadenitis, tonsillitis, viral infection.

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (48%)

Musculoskeletal pain includes arthritis, back pain, bone pain, foot pain, intercostal pain, joint pain, knee pain, leg pain, musculoskeletal pain, pain in ankle/extremity/fingers/hip/leg/limb/lower limbs/left arm, shoulder pain, unilateral leg pain. Excludes musculoskeletal pain for abdomen.

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Ocular changes (24%)

Ocular changes include visual acuity change, corneal clouding, conjunctivitis, watering eyes, keratitis.

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (53%), electrolyte abnormalities (43%), decreased weight (37%), decreased blood bicarbonate (33%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration

Electrolyte abnormalities include hypermagnesemia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hypernatremia.

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depressed mood

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Elevated alanine aminotransferase (27%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (35%)

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): upper respiratory tract infection (51%), rhinitis (19%), cough (33%), epistaxis (21%)

Upper respiratory infection includes bronchial infection, bronchitis, sinus infection, and upper respiratory infection.

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (51%), pyrexia (14%)

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (37%), cerebral ischemia (11%)

Cerebral ischemia includes cerebral ischemia, central nervous system hemorrhage, and ischemia cerebrovascular.

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (29%)

Increased blood pressure (BP) has been reported. At baseline 22 (35%) patients had a systolic or diastolic or both above the 95th percentile. During clinical studies, 18 (29%) patients had hypertension based on systolic or diastolic BP being above the 95th percentile on 3 or more occasions. Five (8%) patients who were normotensive at baseline had either systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure above the 95th percentile at the end of treatment.

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, mucositis

See also:

Further information

Lonafarnib 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