Ripretinib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 25, 2024.

Applies to ripretinib: oral tablet.

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 bear children, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Female patients should use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 1 week after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 1 week after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Ripretinib may cause a serious skin problem called hand-foot syndrome or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash that does not go away or redness, pain, swelling, bleeding, or blisters on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet.

This medicine may increase your risk for new skin cancers (eg, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma). Check with your doctor right away if you have a new wart, skin sore or reddish bump that bleeds or does not heal, or change in size or color of a mole.

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a heart problem (eg, cardiac failure, acute left ventricular failure, diastolic dysfunction, ventricular hypertrophy).

This medicine may affect the way your body heals from cuts and wounds. Make sure any doctor who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before and after having surgery.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, sunlamps, or other ultraviolet radiation during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

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 ripretinib

Along with its needed effects, ripretinib 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ripretinib:

Other side effects of ripretinib

Some side effects of ripretinib 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 ripretinib: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions are alopecia, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, myalgia, diarrhea, decreased appetite, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (PPES), and vomiting.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (up to 19.4%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cardiac dysfunction (e.g., cardiac failure, acute left ventricular failure, diastolic dysfunction, ventricular hypertrophy), cardiac ischemic events (including acute coronary syndrome and fatal cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (up to 52%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (PPES) (up to 29.8%), dry skin (up to 17%), pruritus (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Photosensitivity
• Frequency not reported: Dermatosis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (39%), abdominal pain (36%), constipation (34%), lipase increased (32%), diarrhea (28%), vomiting (21%), serum amylase increased (13%), stomatitis (11%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia (3.5%)^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increased bilirubin (22%), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (12%)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (27%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (up to 37.8%), arthralgia (up to 21.2%), muscle spasms (15%)
• Frequency not reported: Arthritis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 20.7%)
• Frequency not reported: Hyperesthesia^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, melanoma^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 51%), increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK) (21%), peripheral edema (up to 17%), asthenia (13%), increased triglycerides (26%), decreased phosphate (26%), decreased calcium (23%), weight loss (up to 26.5%), decreased sodium (17%), increased activated partial thromboplastin time (35%), increased international normalized ration (INR) (21%), decreased neutrophil count (10%), increased lipase (up to 32%), increased serum amylase (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Physical health deterioration^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Agitation^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Increased creatinine (16%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up 20.2%)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Ripretinib 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