Yescarta Side Effects

Generic name: axicabtagene ciloleucel

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 25, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Yescarta Side Effects associated with axicabtagene ciloleucel. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Yescarta.

Applies to axicabtagene ciloleucel: intravenous suspension.

Precautions

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

If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment.

This medicine may cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and infusion reactions. This may be life-threatening and requires immediate attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, skin rash, trouble breathing, or tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have seizures, loss of balance, loss of consciousness, confusion, disorientation, difficulty with speaking, or slurred speech. These could be symptoms of a serious nerve problem.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which may be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing or swallowing, or chest tightness while you are using this medicine.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, which increases the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you have a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

This medicine may increase your risks for hypogammaglobulinemia (immune system problem) and getting other cancers. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about these risks.

This medicine may cause dizziness, confusion, seizures, or decreased alertness. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you, for at least 8 weeks after treatment.

While you are being treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (the active ingredient contained in Yescarta) injection, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Live virus vaccinations should not be given for at least 6 weeks before start of treatment, during treatment, and until recovery following the last cycle of this medicine.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Serious side effects of Yescarta

Along with its needed effects, axicabtagene ciloleucel 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 axicabtagene ciloleucel:

Other side effects of Yescarta

Some side effects of axicabtagene ciloleucel 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 axicabtagene ciloleucel: intravenous suspension.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions (reported incidence of 30% or greater) include lymphopenia, leukopenia, cytokine release syndrome, neutropenia, fever, anemia, thrombocytopenia, encephalopathy, hypotension, tachycardia, fatigue, headache, decreased appetite, chills, diarrhea, nausea, hypoxia, tremor, and cough.

In the event of a manufacturing failure (1% in clinical trials), a second manufacturing of this drug may be attempted; while the patient awaits the product, additional chemotherapy (not the lymphodepletion) may be necessary and may increase the risk of adverse events during the pre-infusion period.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Lymphopenia (100%), leukopenia (96%), neutropenia (93%), anemia (66%), thrombocytopenia (58%), febrile neutropenia (36%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS), coagulopathy^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever (86%), fatigue (46%), chills (40%), infections-pathogen unspecified (26%), edema (19%), viral infections (16%), bacterial infections (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Fungal infections^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (57%), tachycardia (57%), arrhythmia (23%), hypertension (15%), thrombosis (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cardiac failure, cardiac arrest, capillary leak syndrome^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Encephalopathy (57%), headache (45%), tremor (31%), dizziness (21%), aphasia (18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Ataxia, seizure, dyscalculia, myoclonus, neuropathy, seizure, dysphasia
• Frequency not reported: Leukoencephalopathy, cerebral edema
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Spinal cord edema, myelitis, quadriplegia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypophosphatemia (50%), decreased appetite (44%), hyponatremia (19%), decreased weight (16%), increased uric acid (13%), dehydration (11%), hypokalemia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypocalcemia, hypoalbuminemia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (38%), nausea (34%), vomiting (26%), constipation (23%), abdominal pain (14%), dry mouth (11%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Hypoxia (32%), cough (30%), dyspnea (19%), pleural effusion (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Motor dysfunction (19%), pain in extremity (17%), back pain (15%), muscle pain (14%), arthralgia (10%)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Delirium (17%), anxiety
• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increased direct bilirubin (13%), increased ALT (10%)^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Renal insufficiency (12%)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

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

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Cytokine release syndrome (94%), hypogammaglobulinemia (15%), unspecified pathogen infections, viral infections, bacterial infections, histiocytosis hematophagic
• Common (1% to 10%): Fungal infections^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What is the cost of Yescarta?
• What's the difference between Kymriah and Yescarta?
• How is Yescarta administered?
• What type of drug is Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel)?

Further information

Yescarta 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