Arikayce (amikacin liposome) is a brand-name inhalation suspension that’s prescribed to treat a certain bacterial lung infection. As with other drugs, Arikayce can cause side effects, such as cough, fatigue, and nausea.
Arikayce belongs to a drug class called aminoglycoside antibiotics. The drug is not available in a generic version.
Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Arikayce. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Arikayce 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 Arikayce in clinical trials:
- skin rash
- weight loss
- increased sputum
- cough*
- diarrhea*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Arikayce use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Arikayce’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Arikayce include:
- changes in your voice or hoarseness
- fever
- skin rash
- weight loss
- muscle or joint pain
- mouth or throat irritation or pain
- chest discomfort
- fatigue or weakness
- increased sputum
- nausea or vomiting
- cough*
- diarrhea*
- headache*
- mild allergic reaction*
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 Arikayce and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Arikayce 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 Arikayce’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Arikayce, 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:
- Hearing or ear problems. Symptoms can include:
- hearing loss
- changes in balance
- dizziness
- Tightening of your throat. Symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- chest tightness
- Allergic swelling of the lungs. Symptoms can include:
- fever
- coughing
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
- Coughing or spitting up blood.
- Risk of increased respiratory side effects.*
- Severe allergic reaction.†
* Arikayce has a
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Arikayce may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Arikayce.
Risk of increased respiratory side effects
Arikayce can increase the risk of respiratory side effects. In fact, Arikayce has a
Symptoms of respiratory side effects include:
- fever
- cough
- fast breathing
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
What you can do
If you develop any symptoms of respiratory side effects while taking Arikayce, be sure to contact your doctor or go to the hospital right away. They can diagnose and treat your condition. It’s possible that your doctor may recommend stopping treatment with Arikayce if you develop respiratory side effects.
Arikayce is prescribed to treat a bacterial lung infection called Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease. If you have any lung conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tell your doctor before starting Arikayce. This medication can make existing lung problems worse. In some cases, this can lead to hospitalization. Your doctor can help determine whether Arikayce may be safe for you.
Headache
Headache was a common side effect reported in Arikayce’s clinical trials.
What you can do
If you experience a headache while taking Arikayce that is severe or bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend treatment options that are safe to take with Arikayce.
It’s important to note that some over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), may not be safe to take with Arikayce. This is because they can increase the risk of certain serious side effects of Arikayce.
It’s important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any OTC medications to ensure they are safe to take with Arikayce.
Cough
Arikayce can cause cough. It was one of the most common side effects reported in the drug’s clinical trials. Cough may occur during or right after your dose of Arikayce.
What you can do
If you experience a cough that’s bothersome or if you’re coughing up blood, talk with your doctor. In many cases, this side effect occurs in the first month of treatment and may ease the longer you take Arikayce.
In rare cases, a cough can be due to an allergic reaction to Arikayce. Your doctor will be able to determine what is causing your cough and the best treatment for it, if needed.
Diarrhea
It’s possible to develop diarrhea from taking Arikayce. Diarrhea was a common side effect reported in the drug’s clinical trials.
What you can do
If you develop diarrhea that’s bothersome to you, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to treat your diarrhea. For example, they may recommend taking an OTC medication, such as loperamide (Imodium).
It’s important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any OTC medications to ensure they are safe to take with Arikayce.
In rare cases, diarrhea can be a symptom of an allergic reaction. Your doctor can help determine what may be causing your diarrhea and can recommend a treatment option for you.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Arikayce can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Arikayce. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Before starting treatment with Arikayce, tell your doctor about any medical conditions that you have. They can help make sure that Arikayce is safe for you.
Boxed warning: Risk of increased respiratory side effects
This drug has a
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Arikayce. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are known as drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Hearing problems. If you have hearing problems or genetic hearing conditions, tell your doctor before taking Arikayce. This medication can cause ear damage, which can lead to hearing loss or changes in your hearing. Arikayce may worsen existing hearing problems. If you have any hearing conditions, talk with your doctor before taking Arikayce.
Kidney problems. If you have any kidney problems, such as kidney failure, tell your doctor before taking Arikayce. It’s possible for Arikayce to cause new kidney problems or worsen kidney problems that you already have. Your doctor can help determine whether Arikayce may be safe for you.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Arikayce or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Arikayce. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Nerve problems. If you have any nerve conditions, such as myasthenia gravis, tell your doctor before starting Arikayce. It’s possible for Arikayce to make nerve problems worse. Your doctor can help determine whether Arikayce may be a safe treatment option for you.
Alcohol with Arikayce
There aren’t any known interactions between Arikayce and alcohol. However, both Arikayce and alcohol can cause:
- nausea
- vomiting
- headache
- dizziness
So drinking alcohol while taking Arikayce may increase your risk of these side effects. Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to consume while taking Arikayce.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Arikayce
It’s not known whether Arikayce may be safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Because Arikayce is an inhaled medication, it’s not expected for much Arikayce to be absorbed into the body. Instead, it’s believed to work in your lungs to treat your infection. However, if amikacin (the active ingredient in Arikayce) is absorbed into the body, it can cause serious side effects. This includes deafness in a child exposed to the drug as a fetus.
There haven’t been any animal studies done for inhaled Arikayce. However, amikacin has been tested in animal studies as an injection. These studies did not show an increased risk of congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects). However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans.
It’s not known whether Arikayce may pass into breast milk or what effects the drug may have on a child who is breastfed. Some forms of amikacin pass into breast milk. However, it’s not known whether inhaled amikacin may pass into breast milk.
If you are pregnant, can become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before starting Arikayce.
Most side effects of Arikayce are mild. However, it’s possible to experience serious side effects from Arikayce as well.
If you’d like to learn more about Arikayce, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Arikayce. For details about other aspects of Arikayce, refer to this article.
- A look at lung infections. For details about lung infections, see our list of infectious diseases, bacteria, and virus articles.
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.