As with other drugs, Loqtorzi (toripalimab-tpzi) can cause side effects, such as fatigue, muscle pain, and low thyroid function. If you are not able to tolerate side effects of Loqtorzi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Loqtorzi (toripalimab-tpzi*) is a brand-name injectable solution prescribed for a rare type of head and neck cancer called nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Loqtorzi is given alone or in combination with certain chemotherapy drugs.

The side effects you experience may vary depending on whether you receive Loqtorzi on its own or with chemotherapy.

If you have problems with side effects from Loqtorzi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options.

* The reason “-tpzi” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

Loqtorzi can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The following are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Loqtorzi in clinical trials. These side effects may vary depending on whether you receive Loqtorzi on its own or with chemotherapy.

More common side effects in people receiving Loqtorzi on its own include:

More common side effects in people receiving Loqtorzi in combination with chemotherapy include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects can occur with Loqtorzi use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Loqtorzi.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Loqtorzi when used alone or with chemotherapy include:

  • malaise
  • digestive system side effects
  • cough
  • dizziness
  • decreased appetite
  • skin rash
  • peripheral neuropathy (numbness, pain, or tingling in the arms or legs)
  • fever
  • upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
  • fatigue and weakness
  • musculoskeletal pain

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Loqtorzi and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Loqtorzi may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects during Loqtorzi treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • hepatitis, which may include symptoms such as:
  • colitis, which may include symptoms such as:
    • diarrhea
    • abdominal pain
    • blood in stool
  • pneumonitis, which may include symptoms such as:
    • shortness of breath
    • cough
    • clubbing of the fingers or toes
  • nephritis (kidney inflammation), which may include symptoms such as:
    • urinating a lesser amount or less frequently than usual
    • foamy urine
    • blood in urine, which may appear brown or pink
    • swelling
  • infusion reactions, which may include symptoms such as:
    • low blood pressure
    • wheezing
    • fever or chills
  • type 1 diabetes, which may include symptoms such as:
    • high blood sugar
    • unexplained thirst and hunger
    • frequent urination
  • thyroid problems, including underactive and overactive thyroid
  • severe skin reactions

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Loqtorzi can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Loqtorzi IV infusion, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

While receiving Loqtorzi, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or worsen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Musculoskeletal pain

Musculoskeletal pain was a common side effect reported in studies of Loqtorzi. Pain may affect your muscles, bones, joints, or surrounding tissues, such as ligaments and tendons, anywhere in your body.

Steps you can take to manage mild musculoskeletal pain include:

If these strategies don’t relieve the pain or you experience intense pain, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatment options that may work for your condition. These options may include physical therapy or prescription pain relievers.

Thyroid problems

Loqtorzi may cause thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation), which can lead to overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Sometimes, this can be followed by underactive thyroid hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Hypothyroidism was one of the most common side effects reported in studies of Loqtorzi.

With hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones. These hormones have several functions in your body, so symptoms of low thyroid hormone levels can vary widely. More common symptoms include:

If you develop hypothyroidism during treatment with Loqtorzi, your doctor may prescribe a synthetic form of thyroid hormone, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Unithroid, others). They may also pause your treatment with Loqtorzi. Some people who developed hypothyroidism in clinical trials restarted Loqtorzi after hormone therapy.

To help identify thyroid problems, your doctor will likely monitor your thyroid hormone levels before you start Loqtorzi and during treatment.

Severe skin reactions

Some people who received Loqtorzi in the drug’s clinical trials developed severe skin reactions, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis. Symptoms of a severe skin reaction may include:

  • painful and/or fast-spreading skin rash
  • skin peeling or blistering
  • peeling from the mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth

Contact your doctor right away if you experience this side effect. Your doctor will check your symptoms and prescribe treatments. These may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation (pain and swelling) and other medications to relieve your symptoms.

Your doctor will likely pause your treatment with Loqtorzi while managing your skin reaction. They may also stop Loqtorzi permanently and prescribe a different medication instead.

Take note of the following important information to consider before taking Loqtorzi.

Before starting treatment with Loqtorzi, discuss your health history with your doctor. Loqtorzi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.