Oprelvekin Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have a fast heartbeat or are taking medicines to control your heartbeat, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have low potassium levels or if you are taking a water pill, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Swelling in the back of the eye.

• Eye irritation.

• Swelling.

• Headache.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• Diarrhea.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Anemia.

• Mouth irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.

• Heart damage can rarely occur.

• Bone changes may rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.

• Severe headache.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Sudden change in vision, eye pain, or irritation.

• Swelling of legs or belly.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Significant weight gain.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.