Jaypirca side effects: What you should know

Jaypirca 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 Jaypirca in clinical trials:

• fatigue
• cough
• bruising
• diarrhea
• muscle, joint, or bone pain
• increased risk of severe infection*

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

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Jaypirca include:

• fatigue
• nausea
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• fever
• swelling in your arms, hands, legs, ankles, or feet
• bruising
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• feeling of numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet
• abdominal pain
• cough
• muscle, joint, or bone pain
• 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 Jaypirca and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Jaypirca. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Jaypirca 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 Jaypirca’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Jaypirca, 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:

• Serious bleeding, including in the brain or digestive tract. Symptoms depend on where in the body bleeding occurs, but can include:
  • confusion
  • weakness
  • headache
  • severe abdominal pain
  • bloody or tar-colored stools
  • dizziness
• High blood pressure, which typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Very high blood pressure may cause symptoms such as:
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • nosebleeds
  • blurred vision
• Heart arrhythmia, including atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation. Symptoms can include:
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • heart palpitations
  • pressure, pain, or discomfort in your chest
• Increased risk of developing other cancers, such as skin cancer.
• Increased risk of severe infection.*
• Low levels of certain blood cells.*
• Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Jaypirca. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

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

Low levels of certain blood cells

A decrease in the levels of certain blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, was a common side effect reported during clinical trials of the drug. Symptoms will vary depending on which blood cell counts are low.

Symptoms of low red blood cells may include:

• shortness of breath
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• complexion that’s paler than is typical
• feeling lightheaded

A low white blood cell count typically does not cause any symptoms, but it can increase your risk of infection. Symptoms of an infection may include:

• fever
• sore throat
• difficulty breathing
• abdominal pain
• fatigue

A low platelet count may not cause symptoms until the platelet level is very low. Symptoms of a very low platelet count can include:

• petechiae (tiny spots of bleeding under the skin that may look similar to a rash)
• bruising easily
• nosebleeds

What you can do

Be sure to tell your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms described above. Your doctor will run blood tests to monitor your complete blood count regularly during treatment with Jaypirca. Based on your blood cell count or your symptoms and how severe they are, your doctor may recommend reducing your dose or stopping the medication.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your blood test results and what they mean.

Increased risk of severe infections

Serious infections, such as pneumonia, were reported in people taking Jaypirca in clinical trials. This was a common side effect of the drug.

Jaypirca can weaken your immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight off infections than someone with a healthy immune system. Infections that occur during treatment with Jaypirca can be serious and may even cause death.

Symptoms of an infection may include:

• fever
• chills
• sore throat
• weakness

What you can do

Your doctor will likely want to make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations before starting therapy with Jaypirca. If you are at a high risk of infection, your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce your risk of infection.

Let your doctor know right away if you have any symptoms of infection. They can determine whether you have an infection and decide the best treatment for it. If your symptoms are severe or life threatening, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Jaypirca 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 Jaypirca. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Jaypirca. 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 include:

Kidney problems: If you have kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, it will be harder for your body to remove Jaypirca from your system. It’s also possible that taking Jaypirca could increase your risk of developing kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney problems. If you have severe kidney disease, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Jaypirca for you.

Planned surgery: Be sure to tell your doctor about any upcoming surgeries or dental procedures. Because Jaypirca can increase your risk of serious bleeding, your doctor may recommend temporarily stopping the drug before surgery or dental procedures.

Infection: Taking Jaypirca can increase your risk of serious infections.* If you are at an increased risk of infection, taking Jaypirca could further raise your risk. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have an active infection before taking Jaypirca. Your doctor will likely want to treat the infection before you start treatment with the drug.

Heart rhythm problems: It’s possible that Jaypirca could cause heart rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. You may be at an increased risk of this side effect if you have high blood pressure or have had heart rhythm problems in the past. Be sure to tell your doctor about any history of high blood pressure or heart rhythm problems. They can tell you whether Jaypirca is a safe treatment option for you.

Bleeding problems: Jaypirca can cause serious bleeding problems. Before starting treatment with Jaypirca, be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of any bleeding problems or are currently taking a medication that thins the blood. Your doctor can determine whether treatment with Jaypirca is a safe option for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Jaypirca or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Jaypirca. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Jaypirca may not be safe to take if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Please talk with your doctor before taking Jaypirca if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between Jaypirca and alcohol. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about consuming alcohol during treatment with Jaypirca.

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

As with most medications, Jaypirca can cause side effects. Some side effects may be serious and require treatment. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Jaypirca, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information about Jaypirca: For details about other aspects of Jaypirca, refer to this article.
• A look at certain blood cancers: For details about certain blood cancers, see our leukemia hub.

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.