Inlyta (axitinib) is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of kidney cancer. Inlyta can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include diarrhea, fatigue, and high blood pressure.
Specifically, Inlyta is used in adults to treat advanced renal (kidney) cell cancer (RCC):
- as a first treatment combined with avelumab (Bavencio) or pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
- by itself in people who have tried another treatment that didn’t work
Inlyta comes as an oral tablet. It contains the active ingredient axitinib. Inlyta is not considered chemotherapy but a targeted treatment. Its mechanism of action (how it works) is to stop the growth and travel of cancer cells. Inlyta does this by targeting specific proteins called tyrosine kinase.
Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects Inlyta can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Below are just a few of the more common side effects people reported in Inlyta studies. These side effects can vary depending on whether you take this medication alone or with other drugs.
More common side effects in people taking Inlyta with Bavencio include:
- nausea
- muscle and bone pain
- high blood pressure
- fatigue
- diarrhea
More common side effects in people taking Inlyta with Keytruda include:
- weakness
- high blood pressure
- diarrhea
- liver problems*
- low thyroid function*
More common side effects in people taking Inlyta by itself include:
- diarrhea
- high blood pressure
- fatigue
- low appetite
- nausea
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.
Mild side effects have been reported with Inlyta. These include:
- abdominal pain
- cough and shortness of breath
- diarrhea or constipation
- fatigue and weakness
- hand-foot syndrome*
- headache
- hoarse voice
- low appetite and weight loss
- mouth irritation or sores
- muscle and bone pain
- nausea and vomiting
- skin rash
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Inlyta treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
Inlyta may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.
Serious side effects have been reported with Inlyta. These include:
- reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
- high blood pressure
- heart failure
- liver problems*
- thyroid problems*
- blood clots
- bleeding
- tear in the stomach or intestine
- problems with wound healing
- protein in the urine
If you develop serious side effects while taking Inlyta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Inlyta, visit MedWatch.
Allergic reactionFor some people, Inlyta can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Inlyta treatment.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Inlyta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Inlyta’s side effects.
What should I do if I have diarrhea while taking Inlyta?
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Inlyta. If you have three or more loose bowel movements in 24 hours, call your doctor. They may recommend:
- eating bland foods such as plain rice, plain crackers, clear broth, or dry toast
- avoiding spicy, greasy, sugary, or acidic foods
- drinking plenty of water
Dehydration can happen quickly, so you may want to check with your doctor about specific instructions for taking an over-the-counter (OTC) diarrheal, such as loperamide (Imodium). Avoid OTC medications containing bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol) as they can increase bleeding risk.
If you develop symptoms of dehydration, such as dizziness, dry mouth, unusual drowsiness, or dark yellow, foul-smelling urine, seek emergency medical treatment.
What’s the best way to treat mouth soreness caused by Inlyta?
Mouth sores, swelling, and irritation are common side effects of Inlyta. Some prevention tips include:
- drinking plenty of water
- eating soft foods that can be mashed with a fork
- gently brushing and flossing teeth daily
- avoiding mouthwash containing alcohol
- rinsing mouth and gargling regularly with a liquid solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda mixed in 8 ounces of lukewarm water
- using artificial saliva or moisturizing mouth gels to soothe irritation
Things to avoid:
- foods and drinks at hot temperatures
- salty, spicy, or hard-to-chew food items
- alcohol and tobacco products
Sometimes, mouth soreness during Inlyta treatment can become painful. If you develop soreness that makes eating, drinking, or taking your medications difficult, check with your doctor. They can prescribe something to help with pain and healing.
When should I call my doctor about side effects from Inlyta?
Some side effects of Inlyta require emergency medical care. Contact your doctor if you have any of the following:
- fever or chills
- blood pressure of 140/90 and above, or symptoms such as headache or dizziness
- heart problems, including shortness of breath and chest pain
- pain or swelling in legs or arms
- vision changes
- liver problems such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes)
- stomach problems such as severe pain or excessive nausea and vomiting
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- painful mouth sores that prevent eating or drinking
- symptoms of hand-foot syndrome*
If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.
Learn more about some of the side effects Inlyta may cause.
Hand-foot syndrome (HFS)
HFS was a common side effect reported in studies of Inlyta. HFS may cause symptoms on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, such as:
- pain, tingling, or burning
- swelling
- sunburn-like redness on lighter skin
- deep purple or brown discoloration on dark skin
- blistering or peeling skin
Left untreated, HFS can result in difficulty using your hands or feet, severe ulceration, infection, and scarring. HFS is reversible and will heal over time with proper skin care.
Factors that can increase the risk of HFS when taking this drug include:
- heat exposure
- friction or pressure
- liver or kidney problems
- history of skin problems such as eczema, fungal infection, or dry skin
- taking other medications that can cause HFS
What might help
If you have HFS during Inlyta treatment, consider the following OTC and home remedy options to help relieve your symptoms:
- drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated
- washing with lukewarm water and avoiding hot baths or showers
- frequently applying a fragrance-free and alcohol-free lotion to hands and feet starting the first day of Inlyta treatment
- using sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure
- wearing properly fitted shoes at all times and avoiding bare feet, especially outdoors
- avoiding tight clothing or bandages
- elevating feet when sitting
- using protective gloves if handling cleaning chemicals
- avoiding vigorous use of the hands and feet
- using cool compresses to reduce swelling and pain
If your symptoms persist or worsen, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely recommend the following:
- an OTC pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- a urea lotion to gently exfoliate dead skin
- a corticosteroid prescription cream to relieve itching and burning
If you develop a fever, wounds, or signs of infection, call your doctor right away.
Liver problems
Liver problems were a common side effect reported in studies of Inlyta. Liver problems may cause symptoms such as:
- abdominal pain
- dark brown or yellow urine
- nausea and vomiting
- yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
- low appetite and weight loss
Factors that can increase the risk of liver problems when taking this drug include:
- taking Inlyta with Bavencio or Keytruda
- taking other medications that can cause liver problems
- history of liver disease
- drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
What might help
Your doctor may order frequent lab tests to monitor your blood liver enzyme levels. Elevated liver enzymes can indicate liver damage. If liver enzyme levels in your blood become too high, your doctor may delay or permanently stop your Inlyta treatment.
If you have symptoms of liver problems during Inlyta treatment, call your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend seeking an emergency medical evaluation.
Low thyroid function
Low thyroid function was a common side effect reported in studies of Inlyta.
Low thyroid function may cause symptoms such as:
- fatigue and weakness
- muscle and joint pain
- depressed mood
- weight gain or loss
- feeling cold
- constipation
- deepened voice
- hair loss
- dry, itchy skin
Factors that can increase the risk of low thyroid function when taking this drug include:
- use of Inlyta with Keytruda
- history of low thyroid function
- older age
- taking other medications that can cause low thyroid function
- previous radiation treatments
What might help
Your doctor may order frequent lab tests to monitor the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. If your thyroid levels are too low, they may prescribe a thyroid hormone medication.
If you have symptoms of low thyroid function during Inlyta treatment, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely recommend an office visit. If this condition goes untreated, it can lead to heart problems and nerve damage.
Keeping track of side effectsDuring your Inlyta treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how your symptoms affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Inlyta affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Inlyta can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Inlyta is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Inlyta. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- past or current bleeding problems
- liver problems
- thyroid problems
- open or unhealed wounds
- high blood pressure
- heart failure or other heart problems
- history of blood clots, sudden vision problems, heart attack, or stroke
- planning a surgery or procedure
- taking other prescription medications, OTC drugs, vitamins, supplements, or herbs
- previous allergic reaction to Inlyta
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- alcohol consumption
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.