Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) is a brand-name oral capsule prescribed to treat certain blood cancers in adults. As with other drugs, Brukinsa can cause side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhea, and rash.

Brukinsa 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 last longer than that, 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 took Brukinsa in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Brukinsa use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Brukinsa prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Brukinsa include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, 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. If you develop a side effect while taking Brukinsa and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Brukinsa may cause serious side effects. The list below 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 while taking Brukinsa, 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:

  • irregular heart rhythm, which may include symptoms such as:
  • anemia (low red blood cell count), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • pale fingertips and skin
    • dizziness
    • shortness of breath
    • weakness
  • thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • bruising easily
    • blood in your urine or stool
    • bleeding gums or nosebleeds
    • petechiae (rash-like patches on your skin)
  • increased risk of serious infections, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fever
    • sweating or chills
    • cough
    • body aches
  • neutropenia (low white blood cell count), which may increase your risk of infection
  • high blood pressure, which may not cause any symptoms
  • hemorrhage
  • developing other types of cancer

For more information about hemorrhage and cancer, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Brukinsa capsules can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

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

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

Can Brukinsa cause weight gain or hair loss?

No, neither weight gain nor hair loss were reported as side effects in clinical trials of Brukinsa.

However, Brukinsa can cause peripheral edema (fluid buildup and swelling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs). This was a less common side effect in the drug’s clinical trials. It’s possible that this swelling could cause a temporary increase in your weight.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about weight gain or hair loss while taking Brukinsa.

Is it safe to drink alcohol during treatment with Brukinsa?

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Brukinsa. However, both alcohol and Brukinsa can cause diarrhea as a side effect. Consuming alcohol while taking Brukinsa may worsen diarrhea, which can result in dehydration. Other side effects that alcohol may worsen include nausea and the risk of bleeding.

Your doctor may advise you to limit alcohol consumption to help prevent these effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink while you’re taking Brukinsa.

Note: Bleeding is a serious and more common side effect of Brukinsa. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.)

Learn more about some of the side effects that Brukinsa may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Brukinsa.

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Brukinsa. With hemorrhage, you may have bleeding inside or outside of the body. In rare cases, bleeding problems can be serious and even lead to death.

Bleeding may cause symptoms such as:

You may have a higher risk of bleeding with Brukinsa if you’re also currently taking a blood thinner medication. Your risk may also be higher if you have a bleeding problem, such as hemophilia.

What you can do

Before starting Brukinsa treatment, tell your doctor if you take a blood thinner or have a bleeding problem. They can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Brukinsa. Your doctor may also temporarily stop your Brukinsa treatment a few days before and after a planned surgery. This could lower your risk of bleeding with the surgery.

Call your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding or symptoms of a hemorrhage during treatment with Brukinsa. But if your symptoms feel life threatening, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Developing other types of cancer

Some people have developed new cancers during treatment with Brukinsa. (Brukinsa is prescribed to treat certain blood cancers.) This was commonly reported in clinical trials of the drug.

Skin cancer was the most frequent type of cancer that people developed in these trials. These included basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

Symptoms of skin cancer can include:

  • a mole that changes color or size
  • a patch of skin that is scaly, itchy, or painful
  • an open sore that does not heal or heals and returns

What you can do

Because sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, you should try and avoid it. This includes sunlamps and tanning beds. It’s recommended that you use sunscreen on skin that’s not protected by clothing. If you notice any symptoms of skin cancer, call your doctor right away.

Before taking Brukinsa, discuss your health history with your doctor. Brukinsa 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.