Zokinvy Side Effects

Generic name: lonafarnib

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 6, 2023.

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

Applies to lonafarnib: oral capsule.

Serious side effects of Zokinvy

Along with its needed effects, lonafarnib (the active ingredient contained in Zokinvy) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking lonafarnib:

More common

Agitation
black, tarry stools
blood in the urine or stools
burning, dry, or itching eyes
changes in the eye
coma
cough or hoarseness
confusion
dark urine
decreased appetite
decreased urine output
depression
diarrhea
discharge, excessive tearing
dizziness
fever
headache
irritability
lethargy
light-colored stools
lower back or side pain
muscle twitching
nausea
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rapid weight gain
redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
seizures
sore throat
stomach pain or bloating
stupor
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight loss
yellow eyes or skin

Less common

Body aches or pain
chills
cough
difficulty in breathing
ear congestion
fever
headache
loss of voice
runny or stuffy nose
sneezing
sore throat

Other side effects of Zokinvy

Some side effects of lonafarnib 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

Bloated
bloody nose
constipation
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
full feeling
passing gas

Less common

Cracked lips
difficulty in swallowing
itching skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to lonafarnib: oral capsule.

General

The more commonly reported adverse reactions have included gastrointestinal reactions, fatigue, infection, and laboratory abnormalities.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Vomiting (90%), diarrhea (81%), nausea (56%), abdominal pain (48%), constipation (22%)

Common (1% to 10%): Flatulence

Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions were the most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials. Vomiting was reported as mild, moderate, or severe in 30 (53%), 26 (46%) in 1 (2%) of patients, respectively. Nausea was reported as mild or moderate in 34 (97%) and 1 (3%) patient, respectively. Four patients discontinued therapy mostly due to nausea or vomiting. For patients experiencing diarrhea, the majority reported it as mild or moderate.

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Myelosuppression

Myelosuppression includes absolute neutrophil count decreased, low total white blood cells, lymphopenia, decreased hemoglobin, and hematocrit low.

Immunologic

Infection includes abdominal infection, candidiasis, chicken pox, Clostridium difficile colitis, colitis, croup, dengue fever, flu syndrome, flu-like symptoms, fungal infection, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal infection, Helicobacter pylori infection, infection, infection viral, influenza, nail infection, otitis media, parotitis, perirectal abscess, pneumonia, small intestine infection, submandibular lymphadenitis, tonsillitis, viral infection.

Very common (10% or more): Infection (78%)

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (48%)

Musculoskeletal pain includes arthritis, back pain, bone pain, foot pain, intercostal pain, joint pain, knee pain, leg pain, musculoskeletal pain, pain in ankle/extremity/fingers/hip/leg/limb/lower limbs/left arm, shoulder pain, unilateral leg pain. Excludes musculoskeletal pain for abdomen.

Ocular

Ocular changes include visual acuity change, corneal clouding, conjunctivitis, watering eyes, keratitis.

Very common (10% or more): Ocular changes (24%)

Metabolic

Electrolyte abnormalities include hypermagnesemia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hypernatremia.

Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (53%), electrolyte abnormalities (43%), decreased weight (37%), decreased blood bicarbonate (33%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Depressed mood

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Elevated alanine aminotransferase (27%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (35%)

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): upper respiratory tract infection (51%), rhinitis (19%), cough (33%), epistaxis (21%)

Upper respiratory infection includes bronchial infection, bronchitis, sinus infection, and upper respiratory infection.

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (51%), pyrexia (14%)

Nervous system

Cerebral ischemia includes cerebral ischemia, central nervous system hemorrhage, and ischemia cerebrovascular.

Very common (10% or more): Headache (37%), cerebral ischemia (11%)

Cardiovascular

Increased blood pressure (BP) has been reported. At baseline 22 (35%) patients had a systolic or diastolic or both above the 95th percentile. During clinical studies, 18 (29%) patients had hypertension based on systolic or diastolic BP being above the 95th percentile on 3 or more occasions. Five (8%) patients who were normotensive at baseline had either systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure above the 95th percentile at the end of treatment.

Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (29%)