Knowing the possible side effects of ARIKAYCE
Everyone responds to treatment differently. If you have questions about the possible side effects associated with ARIKAYCE, be sure to speak with your doctor
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allergic inflammation of the lungs. These respiratory problems may be symptoms of allergic inflammation of the lungs and often come with:
- fever
- coughing
- fast breathing
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- coughing up of blood (hemoptysis). Coughing up blood is a serious and common side effect of ARIKAYCE
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severe breathing problems. Severe breathing problems can be symptoms of bronchospasm. Bronchospasm is a serious and common side effect of ARIKAYCE. Bronchospasm symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- difficult or labored breathing
- coughing or chest tightness
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worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a serious and common side effect of ARIKAYCE
While using ARIKAYCE, these side effects may become serious enough that treatment in a hospital is needed.
- hearing loss or ringing in the ears (ototoxicity). Ototoxicity is a serious and common side effect of ARIKAYCE. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have hearing loss or you hear noises in your ears, such as ringing or hissing. Tell your healthcare provider if you start having problems with balance or dizziness (vertigo)
- worsening kidney problems (nephrotoxicity). ARIKAYCE is in a class of medicines which may cause worsening kidney problems. Your healthcare provider may do a blood test to check how well your kidneys are working during your treatment with ARIKAYCE
- worsening muscle weakness (neuromuscular blockade). ARIKAYCE is in a class of medicines which can cause muscle weakness to get worse in people who already have problems with muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
19.7% of patients taking ARIKAYCE + a multidrug regimen experienced serious side effects compared to 16.1% of patients taking a multidrug regimen alone
Common side effects
- changes in voice and hoarseness (dysphonia)
- cough during or after a dose of ARIKAYCE
- muscle pain
- sore throat
- tiredness (fatigue)
- diarrhea
- nausea
- headache
- fever
- decreased weight
- vomiting
- rash
- increased sputum
- chest discomfort
Most patients who experienced side effects did not stop treatment
81% (182/224) of patients taking ARIKAYCE + a multidrug regimen did not stop treatment even though they had at least one side effect
These are not all of the possible side effects of ARIKAYCE. Call your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Keep a list of the medicines you take and show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
Side effect management survey
A recent survey reported potential techniques and strategies to help manage certain respiratory-related side effects when taking ARIKAYCE.
The survey was conducted via telephone with 26 patients prescribed ARIKAYCE during a 2-month period at 2 academic medical centers in the United States.
Survey disclosures
- This information is not included in the ARIKAYCE full Prescribing Information
- Writing assistance was provided to the authors through funding from Insmed Incorporated
- Insmed was not involved with the conceptualization, development, conduct, or analyses of the study
Below are potential management strategies used in the survey for certain side effects. Always talk to your doctor before starting any management techniques.
Increased coughing
Management strategies included:
- bronchodilator use
- changing ARIKAYCE administration to the evening
- brief interruptions of ARIKAYCE
- antitussive agents
- lozenges
- warm water or glycerin gargle post-dosing
- soothing fluid intake
- bronchodilator use
- changing ARIKAYCE administration to the evening
- brief interruptions of ARIKAYCE
- antitussive agents
- lozenges
- warm water or glycerin gargle post-dosing
- soothing fluid intake
Changes in voice and hoarseness (dysphonia)
Management strategies included:
- changing ARIKAYCE administration to the evening
- brief interruptions of ARIKAYCE
- antitussive agents
- lozenges
- warm water or glycerin gargle post-dosing
- soothing fluid intake
- changing ARIKAYCE administration to the evening
- brief interruptions of ARIKAYCE
- antitussive agents
- lozenges
- warm water or glycerin gargle post-dosing
- soothing fluid intake
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Management strategies included:
- bronchodilator use
- brief interruptions of ARIKAYCE
- limiting physical activity
- increasing supplemental oxygen, if already administering
- bronchodilator use
- brief interruptions of ARIKAYCE
- limiting physical activity
- increasing supplemental oxygen, if already administering
Increased sputum production
Management strategies included:
- airway clearance* (eg, specific breathing techniques, chest percussion, and positive expiratory pressure therapy)
*Increased sputum production may be a form of airway clearance in itself.
Remember, management strategies should be discussed with your doctor, as they may vary patient by patient.
Find sample questions to help you start a conversation about ARIKAYCE with your doctor by downloading this
Next, learn about taking ARIKAYCE by watching the