Arranon Side Effects

Generic name: nelarabine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 9, 2023.

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

Applies to nelarabine: intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of Arranon

Along with its needed effects, nelarabine (the active ingredient contained in Arranon) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking nelarabine:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain or cramps
• anxiety
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• bloody nose
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• change in walking and balance
• chest pain
• chills
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• cold sweats
• coma
• convulsions
• cool, pale skin
• cough or hoarseness
• decreased or uncontrolled urination
• difficulty with breathing
• discouragement
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• feeling sad or empty
• feeling unusually cold
• fever
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• headache
• incoordination
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• irritability
• loss of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• lower back, side, or stomach pain
• mood or mental changes
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• muscle pain
• muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
• muscle weakness
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• nightmares
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands, feet, fingertips, or mouth
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• paralysis or severe weakness of the legs
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rapid breathing
• seizures
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• shivering
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• slurred speech
• small red or purple spots on the skin
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stuffy or runny nose
• sunken eyes
• sweating
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• swollen glands
• tightness in the chest
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing with exertion
• uncontrolled bowel movements
• unexplained weight loss
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wrinkled skin
• yellow eyes or skin

Less common

• Change in taste
• loss of memory
• loss of taste
• problems with memory

Other side effects of Arranon

Some side effects of nelarabine 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

• Back pain
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• difficulty with moving
• full or bloated feeling
• joint pain
• lack or loss of strength
• muscle aching or stiffness
• pain in the arms or legs
• pressure in the stomach
• swelling of the abdomen or stomach area
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• swollen joints

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to nelarabine: intravenous solution.

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Anemia (99%), leucopenia (94%), thrombocytopenia (88%), febrile neutropenia (12%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (23%), peripheral neurological disorders (sensory and motor) (21%), dizziness (21%), hypoesthesia (17%), paresthesia (15%), headache (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Seizures (e.g., convulsions, grand mal convulsions, status epilepticus), ataxia, balance disorder, tremor, dysgeusia

Postmarketing reports: Demyelination and ascending peripheral neuropathies similar in appearance to Guillain-Barre syndrome^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (50%), pyrexia (23%), asthenia (17%), Peripheral edema (15%), pain (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal gait^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (22%), diarrhea (22%), vomiting (22%), constipation (21%)

Common (1% to 10%): Stomatitis, abdominal pain, abdominal distention^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough (26%), dyspnea (20%), pleural effusion (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Wheezing, epistaxis, exertional dyspnea^[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Transaminases increased (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperbilirubinemia, aspartate aminotransferase increased^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Tumor lysis syndrome, anorexia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle weakness, arthralgia, back pain, pain in extremity

Rare (less than 0.1%): Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, amnesia, insomnia, depression^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, tachycardia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Petechiae (12%)^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision^[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Infection (e.g., sepsis, bacteremia, pneumonia, fungal infection) (39%)^[Ref]

Renal

Common (1% to 10%): Blood creatinine increased^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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