Precautions
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can bear children, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using this medicine.
This medicine may cause serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Check with your provider right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness with this medicine.
This medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. Your provider may give you metformin (Glucophage®) before starting treatment with this medicine. Check with your provider right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination, if you notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests, or if you have any questions.
This medicine may cause swelling of the lungs (pneumonitis) or interstitial lung disease. These are life-threatening conditions and require immediate medical attention. The symptoms may be similar to the symptoms from lung cancer. Check with your doctor right away if you have new or worsening cough, fever, or trouble breathing.
This medicine may cause diarrhea (colitis), and in some cases it can be severe. Your provider may give you medicine to treat diarrhea. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and kidney problems. Call your provider right away if you have stomach pain, mucus or blood in your stool, or you have diarrhea that gets worse.
If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men and women using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024
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