Olaratumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 16, 2025.

Applies to olaratumab: intravenous solution.

Precautions

If you will be using this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits for any unwanted effects from the medicine.

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 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.

This medicine may cause a rare but serious type of an allergic reaction called an infusion related reaction. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have cough, difficulty with swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, chest tightness, swelling in your face or hands, fever, chills, itching or hives, or lightheadedness or faintness while you are receiving this medicine.

Serious side effects of olaratumab

Along with its needed effects, olaratumab 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 olaratumab:

Other side effects of olaratumab

Some side effects of olaratumab 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 olaratumab: intravenous solution.

General adverse events

The most common (20% or greater) adverse reactions of this drug plus doxorubicin are nausea, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, mucositis, alopecia, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, neuropathy, and headache.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (up to 52%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 73%), mucositis (up to 53%), vomiting (up to 45%), diarrhea (up to 34%), abdominal pain upper/lower (up to 23%)

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Lymphopenia (up to 77%), neutropenia (up to 65%), thrombocytopenia (up to 63%), elevated activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (33%)^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Treatment emergent immunogenicity^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyperglycemia (up to 52%), appetite decreased (up to 31%), hypokalemia (up to 21%), hypophosphatemia (up to 21%), alkaline phosphatase increased (16%), hypomagnesemia (up to 16%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (i.e., arthralgia, back pain, bone pain, flank pain, groin pain, musculoskeletal chest pain, myalgia, muscle spasms, neck pain, pain in extremity) (up to 64%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Neuropathy (up to 22%), headache (up to 20%)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Dry eyes (up to 11%)^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue/asthenia (up to 69%), flushing, fever/chills (up to 14%)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Anxiety (up to 11%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Shortness of breath, bronchospasm^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Severe hypotension, cardiac arrest^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Olaratumab 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