Inlyta (axitinib) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain types of kidney cancer. As with other drugs, Inlyta can cause side effects, such as diarrhea, fatigue, and decreased appetite.

Inlyta 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 Inlyta in clinical trials:

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Inlyta include:

  • constipation
  • cough
  • decreased appetite
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • hoarseness
  • joint aches
  • weight loss
  • nausea or vomiting

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 Inlyta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Inlyta 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 Inlyta’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Inlyta, 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:

  • bleeding, which may include symptoms such as:
    • bloody or dark-colored urine or stool
    • coughing up blood
    • vomiting blood
  • blood clots, which may lead to deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke, or death. Symptoms may include:
    • chest pain or pressure
    • leg pain, swelling, or warmth
    • shortness of breath
    • sudden numbness, paralysis, or trouble speaking or walking
  • gastrointestinal perforation (a hole or tear in the digestive system), which may include symptoms such as:
    • abdominal pain
    • bloody stool
    • vomiting blood
  • heart failure, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fatigue
    • shortness of breath or trouble breathing
    • swelling in the feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • impaired wound healing, which may include symptoms such as:
    • lack of a scab forming on a wound
    • persistent bleeding or oozing from a wound
    • wound infections
  • liver damage, which may include symptoms such as:
    • abdominal pain
    • fatigue
    • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
  • reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (a brain condition), which may include symptoms such as:
    • confusion
    • headache
    • seizures
    • vision problems
  • thyroid problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fatigue or trouble sleeping
    • feeling hot or feeling cold
    • weight gain or weight loss
  • high blood pressure*
  • palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) syndrome*
  • protein in your urine, which may not cause symptoms, but can be a sign of kidney problems

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Inlyta 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. 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 Inlyta oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

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

How long do Inlyta side effects last?

It depends. In general, most of the mild side effects of Inlyta are temporary. They should go away within a few days or weeks. Serious side effects may cause problems that last longer. However, the prescribing information for Inlyta doesn’t include information about how long side effects lasted.

If you have side effects that aren’t going away or become bothersome, tell your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to manage these side effects.

Are side effects of Inlyta alone similar to those seen when Inlyta and Keytruda are given together?

It’s likely. The side effects can be similar when Inlyta is used alone or with Keytruda. (Inlyta and Keytruda are used together to treat advanced kidney cancer in certain people.)

More common side effects seen in clinical trials for Inlyta alone and Inlyta and Keytruda together include:

  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • high blood pressure
  • decreased appetite
  • nausea

However, other more common side effects for Inlyta and Keytruda seen in clinical trials include cough, hypothyroidism, and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth).

These were not as frequently reported in clinical trials for when Inlyta is used alone. But, when Inlyta is used alone it may also more commonly cause decreased weight and hoarseness.

If you have questions about what side effects to expect with Inlyta and Keytruda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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

High blood pressure

High blood pressure was a commonly reported side effect in clinical trials of Inlyta. In some cases, it was severe and in rare cases it lead to a medical emergency called hypertensive crisis.

High blood pressure doesn’t typically cause symptoms. However, having high blood pressure can lead to organ damage and life threatening problems, such as stroke. If high blood pressure becomes very severe, it may cause symptoms such as:

  • chest pain
  • dizziness
  • severe headache
  • vision changes
  • vomiting

In clinical trials, high blood pressure typically began within a month of starting Inlyta.

What you can do

Due to the risk of high blood pressure, your doctor will likely check your blood pressure before starting Inlyta. They’ll also likely monitor it from time to time during treatment.

If you develop high blood pressure while taking Inlyta, your doctor may treat it with medication. In some cases, it may be necessary to stop Inlyta.

Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) syndrome

PPE syndrome was commonly reported in people taking Inlyta in clinical trials. This side effect can range from mild to severe and even life threatening.

PPE is a skin reaction to certain medications. It’s also known as hand-foot syndrome. It causes symptoms on the skin of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, such as:

  • burning
  • itching
  • peeling
  • redness or other color changes
  • tingling

In severe cases, it can cause blisters, pain, and limited ability to walk or use your hands.

What you can do

Carefully caring for your skin may help prevent hand-foot syndrome. It may be best to start using a moisturizer when you start Inlyta. You can protect your skin by avoiding very hot water, sun exposure, and drying agents, such as rubbing alcohol.

If you develop symptoms of hand-foot syndrome, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to treat your skin and recommended how to help protect it.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Inlyta.

Other precautions

Before taking Inlyta, discuss your health history with your doctor. Inlyta 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:

  • bleeding problems
  • digestive system problems
  • heart problems
  • high blood pressure
  • history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke
  • liver disease
  • plans for future surgery
  • recent wound that hasn’t healed yet
  • thyroid problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

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.