Lumakras (sotorasib) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain types of non-small cell lung cancer in adults. As with other drugs, Lumakras can cause side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Lumakras 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 Lumakras in clinical trials:
- cough
- mild nausea
- muscle or joint pain
- fatigue
- mild diarrhea*
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.
Mild side effects can occur with Lumakras use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lumakras’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Lumakras 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 Lumakras and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.
Lumakras 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 Lumakras’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Lumakras, 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 infection, such as pneumonia, which may include symptoms such as:
- fever and chills
- fast heartbeat
- cough
- fatigue
- stomach ulcers (sores), which may include symptoms such as:
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- indigestion
- lung problems, such as interstitial lung disease, which may include symptoms such as:
- shortness of breath
- cough
- unexplained weight loss
- heart problems, including heart failure, which may include symptoms such as:
- swelling in the ankles and legs
- fatigue
- irregular heartbeat
- dizziness
- severe nausea and vomiting
- liver problems*
- severe diarrhea*
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Lumakras tablets can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Lumakras, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Lumakras may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
What are the side effects of taking Lumakras and panitumumab together?
In a clinical trial, the effects of taking Lumakras and panitumumab together to treat a specific type of colon cancer were studied. Panitumumab (Vectibix) is approved to treat this type of colon cancer alone. When Lumakras and panitumumab were taken together, the most common side effects were hypomagnesemia (low magnesium level) and skin rash.
While Lumakras isn’t FDA-approved to treat colon cancer, some doctors may prescribe it off-label for this purpose. Off-label drug use is when a drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it is approved to treat. Further studies are ongoing to determine if Lumakras is a safe and effective treatment for colon cancer.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the side effects of Lumakras or panitumumab, either when used together or separately.
Does Lumakras cause the same side effects as chemotherapy?
Lumakras may cause some of the same side effects as chemotherapy, but many are different. Chemotherapy is a treatment that kills all the fast-growing cells in your body. This includes cancer cells and also healthy cells in your skin, hair follicles, and intestines. Because chemotherapy can affect cells anywhere in your body, it can lead to a range of side effects. These include hair loss, mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, and nerve problems.
Unlike chemotherapy, Lumakras is a targeted therapy that only attacks cancer cells. This means it’s not expected to harm healthy tissues. It may also cause fewer side effects than chemotherapy. For example, Lumakras doesn’t cause hair loss or mouth sores like many chemotherapy drugs do. The most common side effects of Lumakras are diarrhea, muscle pain, fatigue, and nausea. To learn more about the side effects of Lumakras, see the “Mild side effects of Lumakras” and “Serious side effects of Lumakras” sections.
If you have questions about how the side effects of Lumakras and chemotherapy compare, talk with your doctor.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Lumakras may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Lumakras.
Liver problems
Hepatotoxicity (inflammation of the liver) was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Lumakras. In some cases, hepatotoxicity can lead to serious liver damage.
Symptoms of liver damage may include:
- abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting
- dark-colored urine
- bruising or bleeding more easily than usual
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes)
What you can do
Your doctor will order a liver function test (a type of blood test) before you start treatment with Lumakras. They’ll continue to check your liver function every 3 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment. After that, they’ll likely check your liver once per month.
If your blood tests show elevated liver enzymes, your doctor may reduce your Lumakras dose or have you temporarily stop taking the drug.
If you have any symptoms of liver damage during treatment with Lumakras, tell your doctor right away.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea was a commonly reported side effect in clinical trials of Lumakras. The majority of people had mild diarrhea, but in some cases, diarrhea symptoms were serious. Rarely, Lumakras can cause severe diarrhea that doesn’t go away.
What you can do
It’s important to stay hydrated if you have diarrhea while taking Lumakras. You can drink plenty of water or sports drinks, such as Gatorade, that contain electrolytes. Foods such as watermelon or cucumbers are also a good source of hydration. Your doctor may also suggest diarrhea medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), to help relieve diarrhea.
If you experience severe diarrhea that can’t be managed with medications, your doctor may have you temporarily stop taking Lumakras. If your doctor determines that it’s safe for you to start taking Lumakras again, they may prescribe you a lower dose.
Below is important information you should consider before taking Lumakras.
Other precautions
Before taking Lumakras, discuss your health history with your doctor. Lumakras may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- lung problems
- liver problems
- previous allergic reaction to Lumakras or a similar drug
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
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.