Pasireotide Side Effects

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

Applies to pasireotide: powder for suspension, solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you closely while you are receiving this medicine. This is to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), and gallbladder ultrasound may be needed to check your progress.

This medicine may cause low levels of cortisol in the blood (hypocortisolism). Tell your doctor right away if you have confusion, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.

This medicine may raise your blood sugar, which may lead to ketoacidosis. You should check your blood sugar more often during the first 2 to 3 months of using this medicine, and then on a regular basis.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a slow, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem such as QT prolongation.

This medicine may cause gallstones, which can lead to swelling of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) or bile ducts (cholangitis). Check with your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, indigestion, fever, chills, or yellow eyes or skin.

Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting. These may be symptoms of an adrenal problem.

This medicine may improve fertility in women and may cause unwanted pregnancies. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

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 pasireotide

Along with its needed effects, pasireotide 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 pasireotide:

Other side effects of pasireotide

Some side effects of pasireotide 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 pasireotide: intramuscular powder for injection extended release, subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenia (11%), peripheral edema (10%), decreased appetite (10%)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus (8%), dry skin (6%)^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Common (1% to 10%): Adrenal insufficiency (6%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (58%), nausea (52%), abdominal pain (24%), upper abdominal pain (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation (7%), vomiting (7%), abdominal distention (6%)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension (7%), prolonged QT (6%), sinus bradycardia (6%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Elevated PTT (47%), elevated PT (33%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Cholelithiasis (30%), alanine aminotransferase increased (10%), gamma-glutamyl transferase increased (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Aspartate aminotransferase increased (6%)^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site reactions (17%)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyperglycemia (40%), diabetes mellitus (18%), glycosylated hemoglobin increased (11%), hypercholesterolemia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia (9%), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (9%), lipase increased (7%), hypokalemia (6%), blood glucose increased (6%), blood amylase increased (2%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia (9%), arthralgia (8%), back pain (6%), pain in extremity (6%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (28%), fatigue (19%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness (9%), anxiety (9%), insomnia (9%), vertigo (6%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza (9%)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Pasireotide 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