Necitumumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 28, 2025.

Applies to necitumumab: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. 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 to keep from getting pregnant during therapy and for 3 months after the last dose of this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Hypomagnesemia may occur while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have drowsiness, mood or mental changes, muscle spasms or twitching, seizures, or unusual tiredness or weakness after receiving this medicine.

Blood clots may occur while you are receiving this medicine. Call your doctor if you have chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, coughing up blood, nausea, numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking, trouble breathing, or unusual sweating.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Infusion-related reactions may occur while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: back pain, chest tightness, chills, fever, flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness, or trouble breathing.

Serious side effects of necitumumab

Along with its needed effects, necitumumab 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 necitumumab:

Other side effects of necitumumab

Some side effects of necitumumab 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 necitumumab: intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Venous thromboembolic events (VTE), arterial thromboembolic events (ATE), phlebitis
• Frequency not reported: Cardiopulmonary arrest^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (44%), dermatitis acneiform (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Acne, pruritus, dry skin, skin fissures^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Vomiting (29%), diarrhea (16%), stomatitis (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysphagia, mouth ulceration^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Infusion related reactions^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypomagnesemia (83%), hypocalcemia (45%), hypocalcemia (albumin corrected) (36%), hypophosphatemia (31%), hypokalemia (28%), weight loss (13%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysgeusia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis (includes conjunctivitis, eye irritation, vision blurred, conjunctivitis bacterial, dry eye, visual acuity reduced, blepharitis, allergic blepharitis, conjunctiva hemorrhage, eye infection, eye pain, lacrimation increased, ocular hyperemia, Sjogren's syndrome, visual impairment, and eye pruritus)
• Frequency not reported: Eyelash trichomegaly^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported: Non-Squamous NSCLC -increased toxicity and increased mortality^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Hemoptysis (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary embolism, epistaxis, oropharyngeal pain^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

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

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, dysuria^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Necitumumab 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