Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs)
Side Effects
Side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors are generally mild and can include:
- Decreased Reference white blood cell Opens New Window counts, which may lead to increased infections.
- Decreased Reference platelet Opens New Window counts, which may lead to bleeding in the digestive tract, causing Reference tarry stools Opens New Window.
- Nausea or vomiting. You may be able to decrease these side effects by taking your medicine with a meal and a full glass of water.
- Diarrhea.
- Heartburn.
- Headache.
- Muscle cramps.
- Fluid retention and swelling, especially around the eyes.
- Rash.
But some TKIs, such as sunitinib, may cause serious liver problems, including liver failure.
Taking dasatinib may increase your risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare but serious heart problem.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors may cause Reference depression Opens New Window in some people. If you have symptoms of depression or thoughts of suicide while you are taking it, talk to your doctor right away.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 8, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology |
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