Zokinvy Side Effects

Generic name: lonafarnib

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 4, 2025.

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

Applies to lonafarnib: oral capsule.

Serious side effects of Zokinvy

Along with its needed effects, lonafarnib (the active ingredient contained in Zokinvy) 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 lonafarnib:

More common side effects

• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine or stools
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• changes in the eye
• coma
• cough or hoarseness
• confusion
• dark urine
• decreased appetite
• decreased urine output
• depression
• diarrhea
• discharge, excessive tearing
• dizziness
• fever
• headache
• irritability
• lethargy
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• muscle twitching
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rapid weight gain
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• seizures
• sore throat
• stomach pain or bloating
• stupor
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weight loss
• yellow eyes or skin

Less common side effects

• body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• sore throat

Other side effects of Zokinvy

Some side effects of lonafarnib 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

• bloated
• bloody nose
• constipation
• excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
• full feeling
• passing gas

Less common side effects

• cracked lips
• difficulty in swallowing
• itching skin
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth

For healthcare professionals

Applies to lonafarnib: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The more commonly reported adverse reactions have included gastrointestinal reactions, fatigue, infection, and laboratory abnormalities.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Vomiting (90%), diarrhea (81%), nausea (56%), abdominal pain (48%), constipation (22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Flatulence

Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions were the most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials. Vomiting was reported as mild, moderate, or severe in 30 (53%), 26 (46%) in 1 (2%) of patients, respectively. Nausea was reported as mild or moderate in 34 (97%) and 1 (3%) patient, respectively. Four patients discontinued therapy mostly due to nausea or vomiting. For patients experiencing diarrhea, the majority reported it as mild or moderate.

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Myelosuppression

Myelosuppression includes absolute neutrophil count decreased, low total white blood cells, lymphopenia, decreased hemoglobin, and hematocrit low.

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infection (78%)

Infection includes abdominal infection, candidiasis, chicken pox, Clostridium difficile colitis, colitis, croup, dengue fever, flu syndrome, flu-like symptoms, fungal infection, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal infection, Helicobacter pylori infection, infection, infection viral, influenza, nail infection, otitis media, parotitis, perirectal abscess, pneumonia, small intestine infection, submandibular lymphadenitis, tonsillitis, viral infection.

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (48%)

Musculoskeletal pain includes arthritis, back pain, bone pain, foot pain, intercostal pain, joint pain, knee pain, leg pain, musculoskeletal pain, pain in ankle/extremity/fingers/hip/leg/limb/lower limbs/left arm, shoulder pain, unilateral leg pain. Excludes musculoskeletal pain for abdomen.

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Ocular changes (24%)

Ocular changes include visual acuity change, corneal clouding, conjunctivitis, watering eyes, keratitis.

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (53%), electrolyte abnormalities (43%), decreased weight (37%), decreased blood bicarbonate (33%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration

Electrolyte abnormalities include hypermagnesemia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hypernatremia.

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depressed mood

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Elevated alanine aminotransferase (27%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (35%)

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): upper respiratory tract infection (51%), rhinitis (19%), cough (33%), epistaxis (21%)

Upper respiratory infection includes bronchial infection, bronchitis, sinus infection, and upper respiratory infection.

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (51%), pyrexia (14%)

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (37%), cerebral ischemia (11%)

Cerebral ischemia includes cerebral ischemia, central nervous system hemorrhage, and ischemia cerebrovascular.

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (29%)

Increased blood pressure (BP) has been reported. At baseline 22 (35%) patients had a systolic or diastolic or both above the 95th percentile. During clinical studies, 18 (29%) patients had hypertension based on systolic or diastolic BP being above the 95th percentile on 3 or more occasions. Five (8%) patients who were normotensive at baseline had either systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure above the 95th percentile at the end of treatment.

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, mucositis

Further information

Zokinvy 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.

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