Agrylin Side Effects: Risks and Potential Reactions

Agrylin is a prescription medication used to treat shortages of blood platelets brought on by chemotherapy. Despite its effectiveness, Agrylin poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Significance

• According to clinical trials published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, approximately 17 percent of patients discontinue use of Agrylin due to side effects.

Types of Common Side Effects

• Common side effects of Agrylin include headaches, palpitations, diarrhea, weakness, swelling, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, body pains, shortness of breath, flatulence, vomiting, fever, skin rashes and loss of appetite.

Time Frame

• Side effects from Agrylin usually develop within the first few days of use. Some side effects may subside as your body becomes accustomed to the drug.

Risks

• There is a risk for developing either liver or congestive heart failure while taking Agrylin. Some patients experience sudden interstitial lung disease, a potentially life-threatening condition, causing a possibility for heart or respiratory failure.

Considerations

• Because there is not sufficient evidence that Agrylin poses no risk to fetal development, doctors do not prescribe the drug for pregnant women. If you have a history of liver disease, you should not take Agrylin due to its side effects.