Synribo Side Effects

Generic name: omacetaxine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 14, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Synribo.

Applies to omacetaxine: subcutaneous powder for solution Side Effects associated with omacetaxine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Synribo.

Applies to omacetaxine: subcutaneous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and at least 6 months after the last dose. Men should not father a child for at least 3 months after treatment ends. If you think you or your partner have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Omacetaxine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

This medicine may make you feel tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor if you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Cancer medicines can cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about ways to control these side effects.

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).

Serious side effects of Synribo

Along with its needed effects, omacetaxine (the active ingredient contained in Synribo) 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 omacetaxine:

Other side effects of Synribo

Some side effects of omacetaxine 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 omacetaxine: subcutaneous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most common side effects (frequency greater than and equal to 20%) include thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, asthenia, injection site reaction, pyrexia, infection, and lymphopenia.

Serious side effects occurring in at least 5% of patients included febrile neutropenia (18%), thrombocytopenia (9%), anemia (7%), diarrhea (6%), and convulsions (6%).

The most common side effects leading to withdrawal were leukocytosis (6%) and thrombocytopenia (4%).^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia, palpitations, acute coronary syndrome, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, bradycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, hematoma, hypertension, hot flush, hypotension, chest pain, general edema^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (15%), rash (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Erythema, pruritus, dry skin, petechiae, hyperhidrosis, night sweats, ecchymosis, purpura, skin lesion, skin ulcer, rash erythematous, rash papular, skin exfoliation, skin hyperpigmentation^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 42%), nausea (up to 32%), constipation (15%), abdominal pain (up to 14%), vomiting (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Stomatitis, mouth ulceration, abdominal distension, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gingival bleeding, aphthous stomatitis, dry mouth, hemorrhoids, gastritis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, melena, mouth hemorrhage, oral pain, anal fissure, dysphagia, gingival pain, gingivitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Thrombocytopenia (up to 74%), anemia (up to 61%), neutropenia (up to 50%), lymphopenia (17%), bone marrow failure (10%), febrile neutropenia (up to 20%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Transfusion reaction
• Frequency not reported: Pancytopenia, bone marrow necrosis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Elevated transaminases^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

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

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, diabetes mellitus, gout, dehydration
• Frequency not reported: Hyperosmolar nonketotic hyperglycemia

Very common (10% or more: Anorexia (13%)

Laboratory abnormalities (Grade 3 or 4): platelets decreased (up to 88%), neutrophils decreased (up to 81%), hemoglobin decreased (up to 80%), leukocytes decreased (up to 72%), uric acid increased (up to 57%), creatinine increased (up to 16%), glucose increased (up to 15%), bilirubin increased (up to 9%), glucose decreased (up to 8%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased (up to 6%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (19%), pain in extremity (up to 13%), back pain (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bone pain, myalgia, muscular weakness, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal stiffness, musculoskeletal discomfort^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 19%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, cerebral hemorrhage, paresthesia, convulsion, hypoesthesia, lethargy, sciatica, burning sensation, dysgeusia, tremor
• Frequency not reported: Cerebral hemorrhage^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Cataract, blurred vision, conjunctival hemorrhage, dry eye, increased lacrimation, conjunctivitis, diplopia, eye pain, eyelid edema^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal and nonspecified) and infestations (up to 56%), infusion and injection site related reactions (up to 34%), fatigue (up to 31%), pyrexia (up to 29%), asthenia (up to 24%), peripheral edema (13%), chills (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Ear pain, ear hemorrhage, tinnitus, mucosal inflammation, pain, hyperthermia, influenza-like illness, catheter site pain, malaise, contusion
• Frequency not reported: Multi-organ failure^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, depression, agitation, confusional state, mental status change^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (up to 16%), epistaxis (up to 15%), dyspnea (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngolaryngeal pain, nasal congestion, dysphonia, productive cough, rales, rhinorrhea, hemoptysis, sinus congestion^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Synribo 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