Romiplostim Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 4, 2021.

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• Professional
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In Summary

Commonly reported side effects of romiplostim include: abdominal pain, dizziness, insomnia, limb pain, and myalgia. Other side effects include: dyspepsia, paresthesia, and shoulder pain. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to romiplostim: subcutaneous powder for solution

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, romiplostim 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 romiplostim:

More common

• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• body aches or pain
• change in hearing
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• ear congestion, drainage, or pain
• fever
• headache
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• nausea
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• rapid weight gain
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stomach pain
• stuffy or runny nose
• tightness of the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• upper stomach pain

Incidence not known

• Burning pain, warmth, swelling, or redness of the hands and feet
• fast heartbeat
• feeling of warmth
• hives, itching, skin rash
• hoarseness
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• redness of the skin
• trouble swallowing

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of romiplostim 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:

More common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• bruise
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• difficulty with moving
• dizziness
• heartburn
• indigestion
• mouth or throat pain
• muscle pains, cramps, or stiffness
• pain in the shoulder, arms, or legs
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• trouble sleeping

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to romiplostim: subcutaneous powder for injection

General

The most serious adverse reactions were increased bone marrow reticulin, thrombotic/thromboembolic complications, and progression of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).^[Ref]

Hematologic

Serious bleeding events included any event that was fatal, life-threatening, required hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization, caused persistent or significant disability/incapacity, congenital anomaly/birth defect, and any other significant hazard.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Grade 2 or higher bleeding event (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Bone marrow reticulin formation increased 2 grades or more, bone marrow collagen fibrosis increased to grade 4, grade 4 bone marrow collagen fibrosis, bone marrow disorder, thrombocytopenia, anemia, thrombocytosis, bone marrow reticulin deposition, anemia, reticulin increased, serious bleeding event

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aplastic anemia, bone marrow failure, leukocytosis, splenomegaly, thrombocythemia, platelet count increased, platelet count abnormal, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased

Frequency not reported: Marrow fibrosis with collagen^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, flushing, hematoma, hypertension, peripheral ischemia, peripheral embolism

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myocardial infarction, heart rate increased, deep vein thrombosis, hypotension, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis superficial, thrombosis, erythromelalgia, blood pressure increased

Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure^[Ref]

Oncologic

Common (1% to 10%): B-cell lymphoma

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Multiple myeloma, myelofibrosis

Frequency not reported: Progression of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), blast cell counts transiently increased^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 36.2%), dizziness (up to 17%)

Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, migraine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Clonus, dysgeusia, hypoesthesia, hypogeusia, neuropathy peripheral, transverse sinus thrombosis, vertigo^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 31%), nasopharyngitis (up to 26.2%), oropharyngeal pain (up to 25%), epistaxis (22.6%), cough (up to 17.3%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary embolism, sinusitis, bronchitis, dyspnea, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry throat, painful respiration

Frequency not reported: Upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 26%), back pain (up to 15.8%), pain in extremity (up to 15.6%), myalgia (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Shoulder pain, muscle spasms, bone pain, musculoskeletal pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle tightness, muscle weakness, muscle twitching^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Contusion (up to 41%), pyrexia (up to 24%), fatigue (up to 23.3%)

Common (1% to 10%): Influenza-like illness, pain, asthenia, chills, injection site reaction, chest pain, peripheral swelling

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site hemorrhage, malaise, feeling hot, feeling jittery, body temperature increased^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 20%), nausea (up to 19.4%), upper abdominal pain (14%), abdominal pain (up to 11%), vomiting (up to 10.5%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, gastroenteritis, constipation, gingival bleeding, mouth hemorrhage, upper abdominal pain, toothache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rectal hemorrhage, breath odor, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hematochezia, stomach discomfort, stomatitis, tooth discoloration^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Petechiae (18.6%), rash (up to 15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Angioedema, pruritus, ecchymosis, purpura, urticaria

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia, photosensitivity reaction, acne, dermatitis contact, dry skin, eczema, erythema, exfoliative rash, hair growth abnormal, prurigo, rash papular, rash pruritic, skin nodule, skin odor abnormal, face edema^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, abnormal dreams, irritability^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (up to 12.5%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alcohol intolerance, anorexia, appetite decreased, dehydration, gout, weight decreased, weight increased^[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Antibodies to this drug (up to 16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Preexisting antibodies to this drug, influenza, ear infection

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Localized infection, neutralizing antibodies

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and anaphylaxis (postmarketing reports)^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Protein urine present, vaginal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctival hemorrhage, accommodation disorder, blindness, eye disorder, eye pruritus, lacrimation increased, papilledema, visual disturbances^[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Portal vein thrombosis, transaminase increased^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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