Ofatumumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 29, 2023.

Applies to ofatumumab: solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (solution)

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) reactivation can occur in patients receiving CD20-directed cytolytic antibodies, including ofatumumab, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) resulting in death can occur in patients receiving CD20-directed cytolytic antibodies, including ofatumumab.

Serious side effects of ofatumumab

Along with its needed effects, ofatumumab 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 ofatumumab:

More common

• black, tarry stools
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• chest pain or tightness
• chills
• confusion
• cough producing mucus
• difficult or labored breathing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• ear congestion
• facial swelling
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• feeling of warmth
• headache
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• increased sweating
• lightheadedness
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• nausea or vomiting
• painful blisters on the trunk of the body
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• rapid, shallow breathing
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trouble breathing
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dryness or soreness of throat
• ear congestion
• fever
• flushing, redness of skin
• frequent urge to urinate
• hoarseness
• joint pain
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
• pain, itching, swelling of the skin
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• sweating
• swollen joints
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• trouble in swallowing
• unusually warm skin
• voice changes
• vomiting

Less common

• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• slow heartbeat

Incidence not known

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• fluid-filled skin blisters
• joint or muscle pain
• light-colored stools
• no blood pressure or pulse
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• sensitivity to the sun
• skin thinness
• stopping of heart
• unconsciousness
• yellow eyes or skin

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ofatumumab:

Other side effects of ofatumumab

Some side effects of ofatumumab 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

• back pain
• muscle aches
• redness of the skin
• trouble sleeping

Less common

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• muscle spasms
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ofatumumab: intravenous solution, subcutaneous solution.

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (up to 27%), anemia (up to 18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Leukopenia, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agranulocytosis, coagulopathy, red cell aplasia, lymphopenia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 19%), pneumonia (up to 23%), cough (up to 19%), dyspnea (up to 14%), bronchitis (up to 11%), lower respiratory tract infection
• Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, bronchospasm, hypoxia, dyspnea, chest discomfort, pharyngolaryngeal pain, nasal congestion
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 18%), nausea (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Upper abdominal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Small bowel obstruction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (e.g., rash, rash macular, rash vesicular) (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria, hyperhidrosis, erythema, pruritus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Coagulopathy, red cell aplasia
• Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, porphyria cutanea tarda^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain, chills, muscle spasms, rigors^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia
• Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrest (infusion related)^[Ref]

Genitourinary

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

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatitis B infection and reactivation^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Anaphylactoid reactions, hypersensitivity
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylactic shock, cytokine release syndrome^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Herpes simplex (e.g., oral herpes, herpes, herpes virus infection, genital herpes), influenza, herpes zoster, hypogammaglobulinemia, bacterial infections, viral infections, fungal infections, sepsis (e.g., sepsis, neutropenic sepsis, bacteremia, septic shock)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Immunogenicity^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more):

• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tumor lysis syndrome^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (up to 20%), fatigue (up to 15%)^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• How is Arzerra administered and how long to work?

Further information

Ofatumumab 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.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer