Zelboraf Side Effects

Generic name: vemurafenib

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 5, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Zelboraf.

Applies to vemurafenib: oral tablet Side Effects associated with vemurafenib. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Zelboraf.

Applies to vemurafenib: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests and an ECG (electrocardiogram) 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 during treatment with this medicine and for 2 weeks after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may increase your risk of having new skin cancers such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, and melanoma. It may also cause other cancers like noncutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and myeloid neoplasm. This is more likely to occur if you are more than 65 years of age, have too much sun exposure, or have a history of skin cancer. Your doctor may want to check for new skin lesions before treatment and every 2 months while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome). Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, lightheadedness or dizziness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine.

This medicine may cause changes to your heart rhythm, such as a condition called QT prolongation. Contact your doctor right away if you feel dizzy or faint, or have fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use sunscreen or sunblock lotions and lip balms with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on a regular basis when you are outdoors. Wear protective clothing and hats and stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, eye pain, or any other vision change occurs with this medicine. Your doctor may want an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to check your eyes.

Kidney failure may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, decrease in how much or how often you urinate, lower back or side pain, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, or weight gain.

This medicine may cause muscle, bone, and connective tissue disease (eg, Dupuytren's contracture or plantar fascial fibromatosis). Check with your doctor right away if you have unusual thickening of the palms of your hands with tightening of the fingers inward or unusual thickening of the soles which may be painful.

It is important to tell your doctor if you have had or are planning to receive radiation treatment while you are taking this medicine.

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 Zelboraf

Along with its needed effects, vemurafenib (the active ingredient contained in Zelboraf) 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:

Other side effects of Zelboraf

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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to vemurafenib: oral tablet.

General adverse events

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

See also:

Further information

Zelboraf 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