Panitumumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 2, 2025.

Applies to panitumumab: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. 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 treatment with this medicine and for 2 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

You should not receive this medicine if you are also using oxaliplatin and have mutant KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer or if your KRAS tumor status is unknown.

Some patients who use this medicine develop serious skin problems that may lead to infections that can become life-threatening. Tell your doctor right away if you have skin changes, such as a skin rash, itchiness, skin redness or swelling, dry, peeling skin or fissures, or fingernail changes while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis), swelling of the lungs (pneumonitis), or interstitial lung disease. These are life-threatening conditions and require immediate medical attention. The symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of lung cancer. Check with your doctor right away if you have new or worsening cough, fever, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may cause infusion-related reactions, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have a fever, chills or shaking, dizziness, trouble breathing, itching or rash, lightheadedness or fainting after receiving this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after your treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may cause severe kidney disease in patients who have severe diarrhea and dehydration. This medicine may also increase your risk of having an electrolyte imbalance (eg, low magnesium, potassium, or calcium in the blood). Tell your doctor right away if you start having bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet, decreased urination, dizziness, headache, lethargy, muscle cramps or twitching, mood or mental changes, nausea, rapid weight gain, or unusual tiredness or weakness while being treated with this medicine.

Avoid overexposing your skin to sunlight. Always use sunscreen or sun blocking lotions and wear protective clothing and hats while you are receiving this medicine and for 2 months after the last dose.

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 panitumumab

Along with its needed effects, panitumumab 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 panitumumab:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to panitumumab: intravenous solution.

Dermatologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Erythema (66%), pruritus (58%), acneiform dermatitis (57%), rash (22%), skin fissures (20%), exfoliative rash (18%), alopecia (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry skin, nail disorder, skin exfoliation, skin ulcer, pustular rash, popular rash, Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome
• Postmarketing reports: Skin necrosis, life threatening and fatal bullous mucocutaneous disease^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Abdominal pain (25%), nausea (23%), diarrhea (21%), constipation (21%), vomiting (19%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Stomatitis, mucosal inflammation, dry mouth^[Ref]

When used in combination with irinotecan, the incidence and severity of diarrhea is increased. In a study of 19 patients who received panitumumab in combination with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin, the incidence of grade 3 or 4 diarrhea was 58% and was fatal in one patient. The combination of panitumumab with leucovorin is not recommended.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (36%), hypomagnesemia (30%), hypokalemia (21%), weight loss (18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration
• Frequency not reported: Hypocalcemia^[Ref]

Median magnesium levels decreased by 0.1 mmol/L. Hypomagnesemia (grade 3 or 4) requiring oral or IV electrolyte repletion occurred in 2% of patients. Hypomagnesemia occurred 6 weeks or longer after the initiation of panitumumab. In some patients, hypomagnesemia was associated with hypocalcemia. Patient's electrolytes should be monitored during and for eight weeks after the completion of panitumumab therapy. Patients should be periodically monitored for hypomagnesemia and accompanying hypocalcemia during the eight weeks after the completion of panitumumab therapy.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (18%), cough (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Epistaxis, pulmonary embolism
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pulmonary fibrosis
• Frequency not reported: Nasal dryness, interstitial lung disease (including fatal cases), lung infiltrates^[Ref]

Panitumumab should be permanently discontinued in patients developing interstitial lung disease, pneumonitis, or lung infiltrates.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Growth of eyelashes, blepharitis, increased lacrimation, ocular hyperemia, dry eye, eye pruritus, eye irritation, conjunctivitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): eyelid irritation, keratitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Ulcerative keratitis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Anaphylactic reaction, infusion reaction^[Ref]

Severe infusion reactions were identified as anaphylactic reaction, bronchospasm, fever, chills, and hypotension. Although fatal infusion reactions have not been reported with panitumumab, fatalities have occurred with other monoclonal antibody products. The infusion should be stopped if a severe infusion reaction occurs. Depending on the severity and/or persistence of the reaction, panitumumab may need to be permanently discontinued.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia
• Common (1% to 10%): Leukopenia^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Paronychia (25%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pustular rash, cellulitis, folliculitis, localized infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eye infection, eyelid infection
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Headache^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (26%), peripheral edema (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Mucosal inflammation, pyrexia, chills^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure (in patients who developed diarrhea and dehydration)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Panitumumab 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