Like all medicines, osimertinib has a list of known side effects, but not everybody gets them¹

Each person’s reaction to cancer medication is different. Some people have few side effects while others may experience more.^1,2

Two of the most common side effects –which happen in more than 1 in 10 patients – are diarrhoea and skin reactions such as redness around fingernails or acne-like rash. Most patients find these side effects mild to moderate in severity and manageable.^1,3

Very common side effects are dry skin, itching and skin rashes including acne-like rash. Other very common side effects are reduction in white blood cells (called leukocytes or neutrophils) and another type of blood cell called platelet which result into symptoms like persistent fever, bruising or bleeding more easily. If you are more tired than normal or are experiencing more infections or flu-like symptoms and pale skin, let your cancer care team know, as your blood count may be reduced. Stomatitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the inner lining of the mouth or ulcers forming in the mouth, is another very common side effect which is explained in more detail on the ‘Safety Considerations’ page.¹

Some serious side effects include interstitial lung disease and a heart condition called QT Prolongation. You should tell your healthcare professional straight away if you experience difficulty in breathing with a cough or fever, have a fast or irregular heart beat, feel dizzy, faint or light-headed or experience shortness of breath.

You should tell your healthcare professional straight away if you feel breathless or dizzy or notice your ankles swelling or your heart beating in an abnormal way. Refer to the ‘Safety Considerations’ page for more information on these side effects.

You should also tell your healthcare professional if you develop reddish circular patches with central blisters, peeling skin, ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, genitals or eyes called Steven-Johnson syndrome or a skin reaction that appear like rings, called Target Lesions.¹

You should tell your doctor or healthcare professional if you previously have had a hepatitis B infection. This is because osimertinib could cause hepatitis B virus to become active again. Tell your doctor or nurse if you get worsening tiredness or yellowing of your skin or white part of your eyes.¹

You should also tell your healthcare professional if you develop watery eyes, sensitivity to light, eye pain or redness or vision changes.¹

For a full list of side effects please refer to the patient information leaflet that comes inside the package of your medicine.

Tell your healthcare professional or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes herbal medicines and medicines obtained without a prescription. This is because osimertinib can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way osimertinib works.¹