Kyprolis (carfilzomib) - Uses, Side Effects, and More

What are the most common side effects of Kyprolis?

The most common side effects of Kyprolis are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Low red blood cell levels (anemia)
• Tiredness
• Low platelet levels (see below)
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Cough
• Fluid retention in your arms or legs
• High blood pressure (see below)
• Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
• Fever
• Breathing problems, such as shortness of breath (see below)
• Trouble sleeping

There may be other side effects of Kyprolis that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Kyprolis?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Kyprolis are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Kyprolis may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Heart Effects. Kyprolis may increase your risk of certain effects on the heart, such as heart failure, thickening of your heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), and heart attacks. These effects happened in people who had heart problems before using Kyprolis as well as those who did not. These effects can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Unusually fast weight gain
• Unusual tiredness
• Chest pain
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Feel your heartbeat more than usual

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Kyprolis. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider for regular blood work to make sure your kidneys are working well while you are using Kyprolis. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

• Reduced need to pee
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain or pressure
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Seizures

Tumor Lysis Syndrome. Kyprolis can cause a rapid amount of cells to die. This can lead to a condition called tumor lysis syndrome. This can be a serious condition. It is important to drink plenty of water while using Kyprolis and to keep all of your appointments for blood work so your healthcare provider can see how your body is responding to Kyprolis. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs of tumor lysis syndrome while using Kyprolis.

• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness
• Swelling or fluid retention
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle cramps
• Seizures

Breathing Problems. Kyprolis may cause slow or shallow breathing and shortness of breath. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe sleepiness or trouble breathing while using Kyprolis. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

• Changes in the color of your skin, including bluish color to your lips and fingernails
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
• Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake

Lung Inflammation. Kyprolis can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider if you have trouble breathing. You may also have a cough and/or fever. 

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Kyprolis may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. It may also cause your blood pressure in your lungs to get higher than normal, also called pulmonary hypertension. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

• Sudden severe headache
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or confusion
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurry or other changes to vision
• Anxiety
• Buzzing in the ears
• Nosebleed
• Feeling of skipped heartbeats

Blood Clots. Kyprolis may cause blood clots in your veins or arteries. This could lead to clots in your small blood vessels (thrombotic microangiopathy), venous thromboembolism (VTE), stroke, or heart attack. These blood clots can cause damage to your kidneys, brain, or other organs, which can be serious and even life-threatening. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following signs of blood clots.

• Fever
• Bruising
• Nose bleeds
• Tiredness
• Decreased urination (pee)
• Chest pain or pressure
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat
• Trouble breathing
• Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
• Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
• Sudden weakness on one side of your body
• Sudden and severe headache
• Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
• Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
• Vision loss
• Bulging eyes
• Double vision

Infusion Reactions. Kyprolis can cause reactions that can be serious when it is given to you. Your infusion may need to be slowed or stopped if you have these reactions. These reactions may also be delayed up to 24 hours after you use Kyprolis and may be severe and even life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms when you get your infusion or afterwards.

• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Joint or muscle pain
• Redness of your face and neck
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Hives
• Swelling of your face, tongue, or throat
• Weakness

Severe Bleeding. Kyprolis can increase your risk of severe bleeding that can lead to death. Some patients with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs of severe bleeding while using Kyprolis.

• Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
• Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
• Red or black stools (looks like tar)
• Coughing up blood or blood clots
• Unusual bleeding or bleeding that will not stop

Severely Low Platelet Levels. Kyprolis can cause you to have a severely low number of platelets in your blood, also called thrombocytopenia. Platelets help to form blood clots. Having a low level of platelets may increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of low platelet levels.

• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Bleeding that does not stop
• Nosebleeds

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Kyprolis. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach or belly pain
• Fever
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Light-colored poop
• Dark-colored urine (pee)
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). People using Kyprolis may develop a rare brain condition called PRES. PRES involves swelling in your brain that is very serious and can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of PRES.

• Seizures
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Confusion
• Blindness or vision problems
• Thinking, memory, or personality changes
• High blood pressure

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). People using Kyprolis may develop a rare brain disease called PML. It is caused by a virus called the JC virus. PML is very serious and can lead to death. Stop using Kyprolis and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of PML.

• Clumsiness or loss of coordination
• Difficulty walking or speaking
• Facial drooping
• Vision problems
• Thinking, memory, or personality changes
• Weakness on one side of your body that gets worse
• Seizures