Vemurafenib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 6, 2023.

Applies to vemurafenib: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of vemurafenib

Along with its needed effects, vemurafenib 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 vemurafenib:

More common

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody urine
• blurred vision or other change in vision
• chills
• cough
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• eye pain
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• fever
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• increased thirst
• itching or skin rash
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• lump or growth on the skin
• nausea
• pain in the ankles or knees
• painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
• paralysis of the nerves
• rapid weight gain
• rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• redness, soreness, swelling, or itching of the skin
• scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
• sensitivity of the eye to light
• severe sunburn
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sores, welts, or blisters
• tearing
• tingling of the hands and feet
• tiredness
• trouble breathing
• ulceration of the skin
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting
• weight gain

Other side effects of vemurafenib

Some side effects of vemurafenib 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

• back or bone pain
• burning, itching, and pain in the hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
• change in taste
• cough
• decreased appetite
• decreased weight
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• difficulty with moving
• dry skin
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• headache
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of taste
• muscle stiffness
• pain in the arms or legs
• sunburn

For healthcare professionals

Applies to vemurafenib: oral tablet.

General

The most common adverse drug reactions of any Grade (greater than 30%) include arthralgia, fatigue, rash, photosensitivity reaction, alopecia, nausea diarrhea, headache, pruritus, vomiting, skin papilloma, and hyperkeratosis.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Vasculitis, prolonged OT interval
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): ALT increased, alkaline phosphatase increased, AST increased, bilirubin increased, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Liver injury^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (15%)^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Very common (10% or more): Skin papilloma, (29%), squamous cell carcinoma of skin (20%), seborrheic keratosis (14%), keratoacanthoma (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Basal cell carcinoma, new primary melanoma
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Non-cuSCC
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Frequency not reported: Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), pancreatic adenocarcinoma^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (48%), rash (all Grades) (43%), photosensitivity reaction (40%), hyperkeratosis (29%), pruritus (26%), dry skin (24%), erythema (18%), sunburn (17%), actinic keratosis (13%), maculopapular rash (10%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (10%), dry skin, keratosis pilaris (10%), sunburn
• Common (1% to 10%): Folliculitis, papular rash, panniculitis (including erythema nodosum), keratosis pilaris
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (39%), diarrhea (37%), vomiting (22%), constipation (16%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pancreatitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (23%), weight loss (10%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (56%), pain in extremity (23%), myalgia (15%), back pain (16%), musculoskeletal pain (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Arthritis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Plantar fascial fibromatosis, Dupuytren's contracture^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (34%), dysgeusia (16%), dizziness (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral neuropathy
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bell's palsy (7th cranial nerve paralysis)^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (47%), pyrexia (22%), edema peripheral (15%), asthenia (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Potentiation of radiation toxicity^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Uveitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Retinal vein occlusion, iridocyclitis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Neutropenia

Immunologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Sarcoidosis

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Blood creatinine increased
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Acute interstitial nephritis, acute tubular necrosis

Further information

Vemurafenib 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.

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

Medical Disclaimer