Polatuzumab Vedotin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 22, 2024.

Applies to polatuzumab vedotin: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure 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. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting this medicine. Women should use an effective form of birth control to avoid pregnancy during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose. Men should use an effective form of birth control to avoid pregnancy in sexual partners during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose. If you think a pregnancy has occurred with the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Talk with your doctor if you plan to have children after receiving this medicine. Some men may become infertile (unable to have children).

Check with your doctor right away if you have burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet, unsteadiness or awkwardness, or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

This medicine may cause an infusion reaction, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have a fever, chills, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, fainting, or chest pain within a few hours after you receive it.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, which increases the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you have a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination. These could be symptoms of an infection.

This medicine may cause a rare and serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Check with your doctor right away if you have vision changes, loss of coordination, clumsiness, memory loss, difficulty speaking or understanding what others say, or muscle weakness in the legs.

This medicine may cause a serious type of reaction called tumor lysis syndrome. Your doctor may give you a medicine to help prevent this. Call your doctor right away if you have a decrease or change in urine amount, joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, lower back, side, or stomach pain, rapid weight gain, swelling of the feet or lower legs, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

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 polatuzumab vedotin

Along with its needed effects, polatuzumab vedotin 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 polatuzumab vedotin:

Other side effects of polatuzumab vedotin

Some side effects of polatuzumab vedotin 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 polatuzumab vedotin: intravenous powder for injection.

Hematologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (49%), thrombocytopenia (49%), anemia (47%), lymphopenia (13%), febrile neutropenia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pancytopenia^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infections (32%), herpesvirus infection (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cytomegalovirus infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), sepsis
• Frequency not reported: Immunogenicity^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Infusion-related reactions (e.g., fever, chills, flushing, dyspnea, hypotension, urticaria) (67%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Infusion-related reactions^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

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

Ocular

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

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (27%), weight loss (16%), hypokalemia (16%), hypoalbuminemia (13%), hypocalcemia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypophosphatemia
• Frequency not reported: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)^[Ref]

Hepatic

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

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (19%), upper respiratory tract infection (16%), lower respiratory tract infection (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonitis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (33%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Peripheral neuropathy (40%), dizziness (13%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (38%), vomiting (18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Lipase increased^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Polatuzumab vedotin 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