Managing Side Effects of Veppanu

Some people may benefit from over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, but ask your health care provider or pharmacist first to make sure they are safe for you.

Tell your health care provider if pain becomes severe or starts interfering with sleep, movement, or daily activities. In some cases, your provider may interrupt treatment, reduce your dose, or pause Veppanu until symptoms improve. Do not change your dose or stop the medicine on your own. Always check with your health care provider first.

2. Tiredness

Fatigue is another common Veppanu side effect. In studies, 29% of people taking Veppanu reported fatigue.

Symptoms may include low energy and tiredness. Cancer itself, other treatments, poor sleep, pain, or reduced appetite can also lead to fatigue.

The following tips may help manage fatigue:

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
• Plan activities during times of day when energy levels are highest.
• Drink enough fluids, and eat regular meals or snacks.
• Include light physical activity, such as walking, if your health care provider says it is safe.

Short rest periods may help, but too much inactivity can sometimes worsen fatigue.

Tell your health care provider if fatigue feels severe or suddenly worsens or you have dizziness or shortness of breath. Your provider may check for contributing causes such as anemia or low potassium levels and may pause Veppanu treatment or adjust your dose if needed.

3. Nausea

Nausea affected 14% of people taking Veppanu in clinical studies.

Symptoms may include an upset stomach, queasiness, and feeling like you may throw up.

Mild nausea may improve as your body adjusts to treatment. The following tips may help relieve nausea:

• Always take Veppanu with food (even if you don’t have nausea).
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Choose bland foods such as toast, rice, bananas, or crackers.
• Avoid greasy, spicy, or strong-smelling foods.
• Take small sips of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Decreased appetite occurred in 11% of people taking Veppanu in studies.

Symptoms may include:

• Not feeling hungry
• Reduced interest in food
• Eating less than usual
• Weight loss

A healthy diet is important to support your body during breast cancer treatment. The following tips may help if your appetite is low:

• Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day.
• Keep easy-to-eat snacks nearby.
• Drink fluids between meals instead of during meals.
• Try nutritional shakes or smoothies if solid foods are hard to tolerate.
• Some people also tolerate cold foods or soft foods better when appetite is low.

Tell your health care provider if you are losing weight unintentionally or having trouble eating enough to maintain your strength. A registered dietitian may also help you find nutritious foods that are easier to tolerate.

5. Constipation

Constipation is another possible side effect of Veppanu. It affected 10% of people in studies. 

Symptoms may include:

• Fewer bowel movements
• Hard stools
• Straining during bowel movements

The following tips may help prevent or relieve constipation:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Add fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains slowly over time.
• Stay physically active when possible.
• Try to follow a regular bathroom schedule.

Your health care provider may also recommend OTC laxatives or stool softeners. Contact your provider if constipation becomes severe, lasts many days, or causes significant pain.

6. Heart rhythm changes

Veppanu can cause changes in the electrical activity of the heart called QT prolongation. In studies, 10% of people taking Veppanu had QT prolongation on EKG testing. This side effect was severe in 1.6% of people and led to dose reductions in 0.3% of people taking Veppanu.

In rare cases, QT prolongation may require some people to stop treatment, either temporarily or permanently.

Although many people do not notice symptoms, serious heart rhythm problems can happen in rare cases. Possible symptoms include:

• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• Fainting
• Heart palpitations, or feeling like your heart is pounding or skipping beats
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

Some medicines can also increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms when combined with Veppanu. Tell your health care provider about all prescription medicines, OTC products, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.

Seek emergency medical care right away if you faint, feel your heart racing, or develop chest pain or severe shortness of breath. Your treatment with Veppanu may need to be paused, stopped, or adjusted, according to your health care provider’s instructions.

7. Lab test changes

Veppanu may cause changes in certain lab test results. In studies, abnormal lab tests commonly included:

• Low white blood cell counts
• Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
• Low platelet counts
• Low potassium levels
• Increased bilirubin
• Increased liver enzymes (such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase)

Many lab abnormalities do not cause noticeable symptoms right away, which is why regular blood tests are important during treatment. However, some changes may cause symptoms such as:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Fever or signs of infection
• Loss of appetite
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Muscle cramps or irregular heartbeat related to low potassium levels

Your health care provider will likely monitor your blood counts, liver health, and electrolyte levels during treatment with Veppanu. In some cases, treatment may need to be paused, the dose lowered, or the medicine stopped if laboratory abnormalities become severe.