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Vonjo Side Effects

Generic name: pacritinib

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

Note: This document provides detailed information about Vonjo.

Applies to pacritinib: oral capsule Side Effects associated with pacritinib. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Vonjo.

Applies to pacritinib: oral capsule.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine together with clarithromycin (Biaxin®) and rifampin (Rifadin®).

Check with your doctor right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, headache, dizziness, or weakness, pain, swelling, or discomfort in a joint, pinpoint red spots on your skin, unusual nosebleeds, or unusual vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal. These may be signs of bleeding problems.

Pacritinib may cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting continues, or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Pacritinib will lower the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you had a heart rhythm problem, such as QT prolongation.

This medicine may increase your risk of serious heart or blood vessel problems, including heart attack or stroke. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, confusion, difficulty in speaking, double vision, headache, inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles, nausea, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, sweating, trouble breathing, or vomiting.

Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, chest pain, cough, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, fast heartbeat, pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg, pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs, severe headaches, sudden loss of coordination, sudden onset of slurred speech, sudden vision changes, or trouble breathing. These may be symptoms of serious blood clots (eg, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thrombosis).

This medicine may increase your risk of cancer (eg, lymphoma, non-melanoma skin cancer). Tell your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, general feeling of illness, swollen glands, weight loss, yellow skin and eyes, persistent non-healing sore, reddish patch or irritated area, shiny bump, pink growth, or white, yellow or waxy scar-like area on the skin.

Your body's ability to fight infections may be reduced while you are using baricitinib. It is very important that you call your doctor at the first sign of an infection. Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, cough, flu-like symptoms, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Some men who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine 7 days before having surgery or medical tests.

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 Vonjo

Along with its needed effects, pacritinib (the active ingredient contained in Vonjo) 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 pacritinib:

More common side effects

  • black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • body aches or pain
  • chills
  • cough
  • diarrhea
  • ear congestion
  • fever
  • headache
  • loss of voice
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • rapid weight gain
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • tingling of the hands or feet
  • trouble breathing
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusual weight gain or loss

Less common side effects

  • bloody eye
  • lower back or side pain
  • painful or difficult urination
  • redness of the eye
  • ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • unusual bleeding or bruising

Incidence not known

  • chest pain or discomfort
  • confusion
  • coughing up blood
  • difficulty in speaking
  • dizziness
  • double vision
  • fainting
  • general feeling of illness
  • inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
  • inability to speak
  • increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
  • irregular heartbeat recurrent
  • nausea
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  • paralysis
  • persistent non-healing sore
  • pink growth
  • prolonged bleeding from cuts
  • red or dark brown urine
  • reddish patch or irritated area
  • shiny bump
  • slow speech
  • sweating
  • swollen glands
  • tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
  • vomiting
  • weight loss
  • white, yellow or waxy scar-like area
  • yellow skin and eyes

Other side effects of Vonjo

Some side effects of pacritinib 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

  • bloody nose
  • itching skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to pacritinib: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, and nausea.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Dermatologic

Gastrointestinal

Hematologic

Immunologic

Nervous system

Ocular

Oncologic

Other

Respiratory

See also:

References

1. (2022) "Product Information. Vonjo (pacritinib)." CTI BioPharma Corp.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Vonjo 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.