Selpercatinib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 11, 2024.

Applies to selpercatinib: oral capsule.

Serious side effects of selpercatinib

Along with its needed effects, selpercatinib 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 selpercatinib:

More common side effects

• bleeding gums
• blurred vision
• chest tightness
• constipation
• coughing up blood
• depressed mood
• diarrhea
• difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• dizziness or fainting
• dry skin and hair
• feeling cold
• hair loss
• headache
• hoarseness or husky voice
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• muscle cramps and stiffness
• nervousness
• nosebleeds
• paralysis
• pounding in the ears
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• red or black, tarry stools
• red or dark brown urine
• slow, fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• stomach pain
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weight gain

Less common side effects

• chest pain
• cough
• fever or chills
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hives, itching, skin rash
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea and vomiting
• redness of the skin
• sore throat
• stomach tenderness
• swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• trouble breathing
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of selpercatinib

Some side effects of selpercatinib 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 side effects

• dry mouth

For healthcare professionals

Applies to selpercatinib: oral capsule, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse effects occurring in at least 50% of patients included diarrhea, decreased albumin, decreased platelets, decreased neutrophils, decreased lymphocytes, decreased calcium, decreased albumin, increased glucose, increased alkaline phosphatase, and musculoskeletal pain.

Refer to the manufacturer product information for a list of included terms that may be reported with adverse effects, and for descriptions of select reactions.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (up to 48%), prolonged QT interval (up to 21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Myocardial infarction
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac failure, cardiac arrest

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (up to 33%), dry skin (up to 16.2%), alopecia (up to 10.4%)

Endocrine

• Very common (10% or more): Hypothyroidism (up to 19%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diabetic ketoacidosis

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 50.1%), dry mouth (up to 43.7%), constipation (up to 35.2%), nausea (up to 34.5%), abdominal pain (up to 34%), vomiting (up to 30%), stomatitis (up to 15%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (up to 14.9%), ascites (up to 14.8%), abdominal distension (up to 14.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal infection, chylous ascites, pneumatosis intestinalis

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Erectile dysfunction (up to 16%)

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased albumin (up to 56%), decreased platelets (up to 53%), decreased neutrophils (up to 53%), decreased lymphocytes (up to 53%), decreased hemoglobin (up to 28%), hemorrhage (up to 26%)

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increased ALT (up to 81%), increased AST (up to 77%), increased bilirubin (up to 52%), increased total cholesterol (up to 35%)

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity (presenting with fever, rash, and/or arthralgias or myalgias with concurrent decreased platelets or increased aminotransferase)

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased calcium (up to 59%), decreased albumin (up to 56%), increased glucose (up to 53%), increased alkaline phosphatase (up to 52%), decreased sodium (up to 42%), decreased glucose (up to 34%), increased potassium (up to 34%), decreased magnesium (up to 33%), decreased appetite (up to 17%), decreased potassium (up to 17%), increased phosphate (up to 10.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Malnutrition, tumor lysis syndrome

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (up to 56%), arthralgia (up to 22.9%), back pain (up to 22.3%), pain in extremity (up to 13.6%), myalgia (up to 13.3%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Epiphysiolysis of the femoral head

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 33%), dizziness (up to 11%)

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Edema (49%), fatigue/asthenia/malaise (46%), pyrexia (up to 26%), increased weight (up to 19%), decreased weight (up to 11.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis, rhinovirus infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, sudden death, somatic symptom disorder

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Increased creatinine (up to 47%), proteinuria (up to 15%), urinary tract infection (up to 12%)

Consider alternative markers of renal function if persistent elevations in serum creatinine are observed.

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): COVID-19 infection (up to 30%), cough (up to 24%), dyspnea (up to 22.7%), oropharyngeal pain (up to 22%), dysphonia (up to 11.5%), pneumonia (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, chylothorax, respiratory failure, pleural effusion

Further information

Selpercatinib 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.

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