Rybrevant side effects and how to manage them

More common side effects of Rybrevant

Rybrevant 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.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Rybrevant in clinical trials:

• infusion-related reaction
• nausea
• vomiting
• rash
• fatigue

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

Mild side effects of Rybrevant

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Rybrevant include:

• nausea (see “Managing side effects”)
• vomiting
• low appetite
• rash
• pain in your muscles, bones, or joints
• shortness of breath
• cough
• edema (swelling caused by fluid buildup)
• fatigue
• constipation
• diarrhea
• stomatitis (inflammation that causes sores inside your mouth or throat)
• dizziness
• headache

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.

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 while receiving Rybrevant and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Serious side effects of Rybrevant

Rybrevant 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 Rybrevant’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Rybrevant, 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:

• eye problems, such as keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye), which may include symptoms such as:
  • eye pain or itching
  • eye redness
  • changes in vision, such as blurry or cloudy vision
  • sensitivity to light
• lung problems, such as interstitial lung disease (inflammation and buildup of scar tissue in your lungs) and pneumonitis (inflammation in your lungs), which can cause symptoms such as:
  • new or worsening cough
  • fever
  • breathlessness
  • difficulty breathing
• severe skin reaction, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can cause symptoms such as:
  • widespread, severe, or painful skin rash
  • skin blistering or peeling
  • fever
• infusion-related reaction (see “Managing side effects”)

Allergic reaction

For some people, Rybrevant can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

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 Rybrevant, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Managing side effects

During Rybrevant treatment, 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 they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Infusion-related reaction

Infusion-related reaction was a common side effect reported in studies of Rybrevant. Symptoms may include flushing, hypotension (low blood pressure), and shortness of breath.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you certain medications before your Rybrevant infusions to help prevent infusion-related reactions. They’ll likely give you:

• an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• a medication to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone or methylprednisolone

If you have symptoms of an infusion-related reaction, tell your doctor right away. They may give you medication to help ease your symptoms.

In some cases, your doctor may also slow down or pause your infusion. However, if you have a very severe reaction, they’ll likely recommend you stop Rybrevant treatment permanently.

Nausea

Nausea was a common side effect reported in studies of Rybrevant. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

• drinking ginger or peppermint tea
• taking over-the-counter nausea medications, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• avoiding spicy foods

FAQ about the side effects of Rybrevant 

Rybrevant may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Rybrevant compare with those seen with Tagrisso?

There are some similarities. Rybrevant and Tagrisso are both used to treat a certain type of NSCLC.

Some of the side effects of both drugs are similar, such as lung problems, skin problems, and digestive problems.

However, Tagrisso comes as an oral tablet and Rybrevant is given as an IV infusion. Rybrevant can cause infusion-related reactions, while Tagrisso does not. On the other hand, Tagrisso can cause upper respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection (UTI), while Rybrevant does not.

If you have questions about side effects with Tagrisso, talk with your doctor.

How long do side effects of Rybrevant typically last?

Most side effects of Rybrevant are mild and temporary. They may last a few days to a few weeks.

If you experience side effects of Rybrevant that are bothersome or do not go away, talk with your doctor.

Precautions for Rybrevant

Before starting Rybrevant, discuss your health history with your doctor. Rybrevant 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:

• lung problems
• skin problems
• eye problems
• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

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.