Kyprolis (carfilzomib) is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat multiple myeloma in adults in certain situations.

Here are some fast facts about Kyprolis:

  • Active ingredient: carfilzomib
  • Drug class: proteasome inhibitor
  • Drug form: powder that’s mixed into a solution and given as an IV infusion

Your doctor may recommend that you receive Kyprolis long term if the medication works for you.

Like other drugs, Kyprolis can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Kyprolis, including details about its uses, see this article.

Kyprolis can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. They may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Your side effects may also vary, based on if you receive Kyprolis alone or in combination with other drugs to treat your multiple myeloma.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Kyprolis in clinical trials:

For details about side effect frequency, see the Kyprolis prescribing information.

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Kyprolis include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But 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 side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while receiving Kyprolis and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

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

Kyprolis may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more details, you can refer to the prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Kyprolis, 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:

  • Increased blood pressure, which can become severe. Symptoms can include:
    • chest pain
    • difficulty catching your breath
  • Anemia (low level of red blood cells). Symptoms can include:
    • dizziness
  • Low level of platelets (cells that help your blood clot). Symptoms can include:
    • bruising more easily than usual
  • Blood clots. Symptoms can include:
    • swelling in one leg
    • red or blue skin that can be warm to the touch
    • pain in the area of the blood clot
  • Difficulty breathing. Symptoms can include:
    • chest tightness
    • feeling like you can’t catch your breath
  • Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs). Symptoms can include:
    • difficulty catching your breath
    • chest pain
    • fatigue
    • dizziness
  • Kidney problems, such as kidney failure. Symptoms can include:
    • producing less urine than usual
    • confusion
    • swelling in your legs or feet
    • fatigue
  • Tumor lysis syndrome (a condition caused by tumor cells dying and releasing their contents into your blood). Symptoms can include:
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • weakness
    • muscle cramps
  • Bleeding. Symptoms can include:
    • coughing up blood
    • increased bruising
  • Lung problems, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms can include:
    • shortness of breath
    • wheezing
    • fatigue
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (a rare but very serious brain condition). Symptoms can include:
    • weakness
    • vision loss
    • difficulty speaking
    • changes in personality
  • Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (a condition that causes swelling of the brain). Symptoms can include:
    • headache
    • changes in vision
    • drowsiness
  • Thrombotic microangiopathy (small blood clots in small blood vessels). Symptoms can include:
    • fatigue
    • bleeding or bruising more than normal
    • weakness
  • Cardiac problems.*
  • Liver problems.*
  • Allergic reaction.*

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

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

What are some of the rare side effects of Kyprolis?

Examples of rare but serious side effects of Kyprolis include:

Keep in mind that most side effects of Kyprolis are mild. However, your doctor will monitor you throughout your treatment with Kyprolis to watch for any side effects, including ones that are rare. If you develop any side effects, it’s important to talk with your doctor about them. Your doctor can help determine the best treatment plan for you.

Will receiving Kyprolis cause hair loss?

No, you should not experience hair loss from receiving Kyprolis. Hair loss wasn’t a side effect seen in clinical trials of people who received this medication.

However, other medications that may be used to treat multiple myeloma, such as chemotherapy, may cause hair loss.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, talk with your doctor.

How can I help prevent side effects from Kyprolis?

Before receiving Kyprolis, talk with your doctor about possible side effects and ways to help prevent them. You may be able to avoid some side effects, such as headache or fatigue, by drinking more water each day.

Another way you may be able to help prevent some Kyprolis side effects is by taking medications prior to your IV infusions. These drugs are called premedications. They may include a steroid, such as Hemady (dexamethasone). Taking medications before infusions can help avoid infusion-related reactions, such as fever, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

For more tips on helping avoid side effects of Kyprolis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Kyprolis may cause.

Cardiac problems

Kyprolis may cause cardiac problems, such as congestive heart failure, or make current heart problems worse. (“Cardiac” refers to the heart.) The medication can decrease the ability of your heart to pump blood throughout your body. It’s possible for heart problems from Kyprolis to be life threatening, but this is rare.

It’s important to watch for symptoms of heart problems throughout your treatment with Kyprolis. Be sure to report any symptoms to your doctor right away. Symptoms to watch for include:

  • difficulty catching your breath
  • swelling in your legs
  • chest pain
  • arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm)

You may be at an increased risk of developing heart problems with Kyprolis if you:

  • are age 75 years or older
  • already have heart failure
  • had a recent heart attack
  • have other heart conditions, such as angina, electrical abnormalities, or arrhythmia

What you can do

Throughout your treatment with Kyprolis, your doctor will monitor you for heart problems. They may monitor you more often if you’re at increased risk for cardiac problems while receiving the medication.

If you have any symptoms of heart problems while you receive Kyprolis, talk with your doctor right away. They can help determine the cause and the best treatment options for you. In some cases, they may recommend more frequent monitoring.

If you develop a more serious cardiac condition while receiving Kyprolis, your doctor may pause your treatment until your heart improves. Or they may recommend a different medication for you.

Upper respiratory infection

Upper respiratory infections (URIs), such as the common cold, are possible with Kyprolis. These were one of the most common side effects that people receiving Kyprolis reported in clinical trials.

URIs may be caused by bacteria or a virus. They may cause symptoms such as:

What you can do

If you develop a URI during your treatment with Kyprolis, tell your doctor. They may recommend medication, such as an antibiotic, to treat your infection.

If you experience frequent respiratory infections during your treatment, talk with your doctor. They may suggest ways to boost your immune system, such as getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet. They may also recommend other ways to help prevent URIs from occurring, including washing your hands often and avoiding crowded spaces when possible.

Infusion-related reaction

Infusion-related reactions may occur with Kyprolis. The medication is administered as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. (An IV infusion is an injection into a vein over time.) You may experience reactions related to the infusion that can occur during or within 24 hours of the treatment.

In most cases, infusion-related reactions are mild. However, they can be serious and, in some cases, life threatening. Examples of infusion-related reactions that can occur include:

What you can do

Before you receive a Kyprolis infusion, your doctor will recommend taking a steroid medication called Hemady (dexamethasone). This drug helps prevent more serious infusion-related reactions from occurring, such as difficulty breathing.

If you notice any symptoms during your treatment, tell a healthcare professional right away. If you experience infusion-related reactions after an infusion, seek medical care immediately. Your doctor can help determine how to avoid future infusion-related reactions. In some cases, if your reaction is severe, your doctor may recommend a treatment other than Kyprolis.

Liver problems

It’s possible for Kyprolis to cause liver problems. This medication may increase the levels of liver enzymes in your blood, which may indicate liver damage. Kyprolis may also cause liver failure, but this is rare.

During your treatment with Kyprolis, watch for symptoms of liver problems, including:

What you can do

If you develop any symptoms of liver problems, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely order blood tests to determine what may be causing your symptoms.

Your doctor will also check your blood levels throughout your treatment with Kyprolis to monitor your liver.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Kyprolis can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms may be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • 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 receiving Kyprolis. But 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 receive Kyprolis. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Heart conditions. Kyprolis can cause or worsen heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure. If you have a heart condition, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring of your heart than usual during your treatment. This helps them see if your condition is worsening. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you.

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

Liver problems. Kyprolis can cause an increase in your liver enzyme levels and also cause liver failure. If you already have a liver condition, this medication may worsen it. Prior to starting treatment with Kyprolis, tell your doctor about any liver problems you have. They can help determine if this medication is a safe option for you.

Bleeding conditions. Kyprolis can increase your risk of serious bleeding. It may also cause blood clots. If you have any bleeding conditions or conditions that affect blood clotting, such as hemophilia, tell your doctor before starting Kyprolis treatment. These conditions may increase your risk of bleeding or clotting while you receive the medication. Your doctor can help determine if Kyprolis is right for you.

Kidney problems. Kyprolis may cause kidney problems. If you have a kidney condition such as chronic kidney disease, receiving Kyprolis may make your condition worse. Before you start Kyprolis treatment, tell your doctor about any kidney problems you have. They may monitor you more often than usual while you receive the drug.

Lung conditions. If you have any conditions affecting your lungs or breathing, tell your doctor before starting Kyprolis treatment. This medication can cause lung problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, which can be very serious. If you already have a lung condition or difficulty breathing, Kyprolis may make your condition worse. Your doctor may monitor you more often than usual or recommend a different treatment option for you.

High blood pressure. Kyprolis may raise your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, this increase can be serious. To help manage your blood pressure, your doctor may increase your dose of blood pressure medication or add another drug. In some cases, they may stop your treatment with Kyprolis if your blood pressure is too high.

Alcohol use with Kyprolis

Kyprolis is not believed to interact with alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while you receive Kyprolis may worsen side effects from the medication. For example, Kyprolis can cause nausea, headache, and vomiting. Alcohol can also cause these effects. So drinking alcohol during your treatment with Kyprolis may increase your risk of side effects.

In addition, Kyprolis can cause liver and kidney problems. Alcohol can also affect your liver and kidneys. So drinking alcohol may increase your risk of liver and kidney problems while you receive Kyprolis.

If you’d like to drink alcohol during your treatment with Kyprolis, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on how much, if any, is safe for you to consume.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while receiving Kyprolis

Kyprolis has not been studied in females* who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is not known what effects the drug may have. However, because of the way the medication works in the body, it’s likely to harm a developing fetus.

Due to this possible risk, if you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor will likely order a pregnancy test for you before you receive Kyprolis. This is to confirm you’re not pregnant. During your treatment, you should use an effective form of birth control. Be sure to keep using it for at least 6 months after you stop receiving Kyprolis.

You should also use an effective form of birth control if you’re male* and your sexual partner can become pregnant. Be sure to use it during treatment and for 3 months after you stop receiving Kyprolis.

Due to the possible risks to a child who is breastfed, you should avoid breastfeeding during Kyprolis treatment. It’s also important to not breastfeed for 2 weeks after you stop receiving the medication.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. You should also talk with them if you’re breastfeeding or considering it. They can advise you on whether Kyprolis is right for you.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male“ and “female“ in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Most side effects of Kyprolis are mild, but some serious side effects can occur. You should let your doctor know if you develop any serious side effects.

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

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

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.