Cabometyx Side Effects

Generic name: cabozantinib

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 25, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about cabozantinib. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Cabometyx.

Applies to cabozantinib: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Cabometyx

Along with its needed effects, cabozantinib (the active ingredient contained in Cabometyx) 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 cabozantinib:

More common

Blurred vision
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
confusion
constipation
dark urine
darkening of the skin
decreased urination
diarrhea
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
dizziness
dry mouth
dry skin and hair
fainting
feeling cold
hair loss
headache
hoarseness or husky voice
increase in heart rate
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
mental depression
muscle cramps, spasms, and stiffness
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
pounding in the ears
rapid breathing
redness, swelling, or pain of the skin
scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
severe, sudden headache
skin rash or ulcers
slow or fast heartbeat
slurred speech
stomach pain
sudden loss of coordination
sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
sunken eyes
thirst
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual tiredness or weakness
vision changes
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
weight gain
wrinkled skin
yellow eyes or skin

Less common

Bleeding gums
bloody, black, or tarry stools
coughing up blood
heartburn
heavy jaw feeling
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
indigestion
loosening of a tooth
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
nosebleeds
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw
paralysis
prolonged bleeding from cuts
red or dark brown urine
seizures
severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning
tremor
trouble breathing
vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuing

Rare

Disturbed color perception
double vision
halos around lights
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
tunnel vision

Incidence not known

Cloudy or bloody urine
high blood pressure
swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs

Other side effects of Cabometyx

Some side effects of cabozantinib 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

Belching
bleeding after defecation
change in taste
changes in hair color
decreased appetite
decreased weight
difficulty having a bowel movement
difficulty with moving
fear
lack or loss of strength
loss of taste
muscle pain
pain in the joints
rash
sore throat
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
uncomfortable swelling around the anus
voice changes

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to cabozantinib: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Elevated blood pressure (up to 96%), hypertension (up to 61%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angina pectoris, supraventricular tachycardia, shortened activated partial thromboplastin time

Frequency not reported: QT interval prolongation^[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Increased ALT (up to 86%), increased AST (up to 86%), increased alkaline phosphatase (up to 52%), hyperbilirubinemia (up to 25%)

Common (1% to 10%): Cholelithiasis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic encephalopathy^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 63%), stomatitis (up to 51%), nausea (up to 43%), oral pain (up to 36%), constipation (up to 27%), abdominal pain (up to 27%), vomiting (up to 24%), dysphagia (up to 13%), dyspepsia (up to 11%), glossodynia

Common (1% to 10%): Hemorrhoids, GI perforation, GI fistula, GI hemorrhage, pancreatitis, anal fissure, anal inflammation, cheilitis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Esophagitis^[Ref]

Endocrine

Very common (10% or more): Increased blood thyroid stimulating hormone (up to 57%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amenorrhea^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Lymphopenia (up to 53%), neutropenia (up to 35%), thrombocytopenia (up to 35%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased eosinophil count, increased platelet count

Postmarketing reports: Arterial (including aortic) aneurysms, dissections, and rupture^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (up to 50%), hair color changes/depigmentation/graying (up to 34%), rash (up to 19%), dry skin (up to 19%), alopecia (up to 16%), erythema (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkeratosis, folliculitis, acne, blister, abnormal hair growth, skin exfoliation, skin hypopigmentation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin ulcer, telangiectasia^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Decreased weight (up to 48%), decreased appetite (up to 46%), hypocalcemia (up to 52%), hypophosphatemia (up to 28%), hypomagnesemia (up to 19%), hypokalemia (up to 18%), hyponatremia (up to 10%), increased blood lactate dehydrogenase, increased blood creatinine phosphokinase

Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration, hypoalbuminemia^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 41%), asthenia (up to 21%), mucosal inflammation

Common (1% to 10%): Abscess (including visceral, intra-abdominal, skin, tooth), fungal infection (including skin, oral, genital), ear pain, tinnitus, pallor, peripheral coldness, impaired wound healing/wound complications, chills, face edema

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aspergilloma, hypoacusis, cyst, facial pain, localized edema

Frequency not reported: Hemorrhage^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Dysgeusia (up to 34%), headache (up to 18%), dizziness (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, ageusia, tremor

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, ataxia, attention disturbance, loss of consciousness, speech disorder, transient ischemic attack^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 14%), muscle spasms (up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal chest pain, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

General

Patients should be closely monitored for the first 8 weeks as most adverse events have occurred early in the course of treatment.

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Proteinuria, dysuria, hematuria

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vaginal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cataract, conjunctivitis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, depression, confusional state

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal dreams, delirium^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Dysphonia (up to 20%), oropharyngeal pain

Common (1% to 10%): Non-GI fistula (including tracheal, pneumomediastinum, tracheo-esophageal), pulmonary embolism, respiratory tract hemorrhage (including pulmonary, bronchial, tracheal), pneumonia, pneumonia aspiration

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atelectasis, pharyngeal edema, pneumonitis^[Ref]