Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) is a brand-name injection that’s prescribed for certain types of cancers in adults. As with other drugs, Jemperli can cause side effects, such as diarrhea, anemia, and skin rash.

Jemperli 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 Jemperli in clinical trials:

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

Jemperil is prescribed to treat endometrial cancer and solid tumors. Mild side effects can occur with Jemperli. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Jemperli’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Jemperli 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 Jemperli and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after receiving Jemperli. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Jemperli 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 Jemperli’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Jemperli, 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:

  • Hormone gland problems affecting the thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal gland. Symptoms can include:
    • extreme fatigue
    • headache
    • feeling hot or cold
    • constipation or diarrhea
    • increased heart rate
    • hair loss
    • changes in weight
    • increased sweating
  • Type 1 diabetes. Symptoms can include:
    • increased hunger or thirst
    • urinating more than is typical for you
    • blurry vision
  • Nephritis (inflammation in the kidneys). Symptoms can include:
    • dark-colored urine
    • swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
    • loss of appetite
    • urinating less than is typical for you
  • Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). Symptoms can include:
    • jaundice
    • abdominal pain
    • dark-colored urine
    • bruising or bleeding more easily
    • nausea and vomiting
  • Pneumonitis (inflammation in the lung). Symptoms can include:
    • cough
    • shortness of breath
    • fever or chills
    • chest pain
  • Colitis (inflammation of the bowel lining). Symptoms can include:
    • diarrhea
    • tar-like or bloody stools
    • severe abdominal pain or tenderness
  • Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Symptoms can include:
    • rash or itching that is severe or widespread
    • fever
    • swollen lymph nodes
    • skin peeling or blistering
  • Severe infusion reactions.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after receiving Jemperli. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

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

Does Jemperli cause long-term side effects?

Possibly. Jemperli may cause some long-term side effects (ones that don’t go away). They can start at any time during treatment with the drug or, in some cases, can occur even after you have stopped the drug.

Although not common, some serious immune system reactions can occur. In some cases, your immune system can attack healthy cells in your body and cause inflammation. One or more parts of your body can be affected, and the inflammation could cause long-term damage. Some conditions that have been reported include:

These reactions can occur anytime after starting therapy or after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

For more information on these side effects, see the “Serious side effects” section above. These may not be all possible long-term side effects of the drug. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about the long-term side effects Jemperli can cause.

How do the side effects of Jemperli compare with the side effects of Keytruda?

Jemperli and Keytruda have many of the same side effects. They both can cause mild side effects, such as diarrhea, skin rash, anemia, and nausea. Both drugs also cause similar serious side effects, such as hormone gland problems, infusion reactions, and hepatitis.

In addition, Keytruda can also cause back pain, hair loss, and upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold. These side effects weren’t reported in clinical trials of Jemperli.

If you have questions about how the side effects of Jemperli and Keytruda compare, talk with your doctor.

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

Hypothyroidism

Jemperli can cause hormone gland problems, such as hypothyroidism. This is when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones.

Hypothyroidism was a common side effect reported in people receiving Jemperli in clinical trials. This side effect typically occurs during treatment with Jemperli, but it can also happen after you have stopped treatment with the drug.

Symptoms can include:

What you can do

Your doctor may do blood tests before starting and during treatment with Jemperli to monitor your thyroid hormone (TSH) level. Your blood test will show a high blood TSH level if you have hypothyroidism. If your blood test shows you have hypothyroidism, your doctor may recommend temporarily stopping Jemperli. They may also prescribe a medication to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism. They can do a blood test to confirm whether this is the cause of your symptoms. They can then recommend a treatment.

Infusion reaction

Infusion reactions have been reported in clinical trials of Jemperli. This wasn’t a common side effect of the drug. Infusion reactions can happen during or after your infusion with Jemperli. It’s possible that symptoms could be severe or life threatening.

Symptoms of infusion reactions can include:

  • fever or chills
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath or wheezing
  • flushing
  • feeling as though you might pass out
  • skin rash or itching

What you can do

During your infusion with Jemperli, your doctor will watch for infusion reactions. If you have a reaction while you’re receiving an infusion of the drug, your doctor may slow the rate of infusion or temporarily stop it. If you have a severe reaction, your doctor may need to stop your treatment permanently.

It’s also possible for infusion reactions to happen after your Jemperli infusion is done. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an infusion reaction. They can determine whether it’s safe to continue treatment with Jemperli.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Jemperli can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

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 Jemperli. 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 Jemperli. 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:

Planned or past stem cell transplant: Tell your doctor if you have had an allogeneic stem cell transplant (a transplant that uses donor stem cells) in the past or are planning to get one. You may have an increased risk of transplant-related complications, such as graft-versus-host disease, during or after treatment with Jemperli. These complications can be serious and may lead to death. Your doctor will monitor you closely for any signs of complications.

Organ transplant: If you’ve had an organ transplant, treatment with Jemperli can increase your risk of organ transplant rejection. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve had an organ transplant in the past. Your doctor will tell you what signs and symptoms to watch for, depending on the type of organ transplant you’ve had. They will also monitor you closely during treatment for any signs of organ rejection.

Radiation therapy on your chest: If you have had radiation therapy on your chest in the past, you may be at higher risk of lung problems, such as pneumonitis. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had radiation therapy in the past. They can tell you whether Jemperli is a safe option for you.

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

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Jemperli may not be safe to receive if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Jemperli if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

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

As with most medications, Jemperli can cause side effects. Some side effects may be severe 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 Jemperli, 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 Jemperli: For details about other aspects of Jemperli, refer to this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Jemperli, view this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about cancer, see our cancer 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.