Key takeaways

  • Empliciti (elotuzumab) is an immunotherapy drug prescribed to treat multiple myeloma. It is not a chemotherapy drug.
  • More common side effects include fatigue, diarrhea, fever.
  • If side effects from Empliciti become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Empliciti can cause.

Empliciti can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Empliciti’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • fever
  • cough

Mild side effects have been reported with Empliciti. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Empliciti treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Empliciti may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Empliciti may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Empliciti’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Empliciti, 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 include:

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Empliciti and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Empliciti can cause an allergic reaction.

This side effect was reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Empliciti treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Empliciti, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

There may be things you can do to help make certain Empliciti side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Decreased appetite

Decreased appetite was a common side effect reported in studies of Empliciti. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • eating smaller meals more frequently
  • eating at the same time each day to maintain a routine
  • having easy-to-prepare snacks on hand, such as nuts, yogurt, or protein bars
  • focusing on nutrient-dense foods

Fatigue

Fatigue was a common side effect reported in studies of Empliciti. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • prioritizing more demanding activities during the time of day when you have the most energy
  • going to bed and waking up around the same time each to establish consistent sleep
  • participating in gentle activity as tolerated, such as walking or yoga

Before taking Empliciti, discuss your health history with your doctor. Empliciti 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:

  • history of infections
  • history of other types of cancer
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Empliciti may affect certain blood tests that check how well your multiple myeloma is responding to treatment. Let your healthcare team know you’re taking this medication so they can interpret your lab results correctly.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.