Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. More common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. If side effects become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Lutathera is used to treat gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) in adults and children ages 12 years and older in certain situations. GEP-NETs are rare tumors that affect the stomach, pancreas, intestines, and bowel.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Lutathera can cause.

Lutathera can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Lutathera’s commonly reported side effects include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Mild side effects have been reported with Lutathera. These include:

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. Do not stop Lutathera treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Lutathera may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Lutathera treatment may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lutathera’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects with this medication, 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.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Lutathera include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Lutathera and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Lutathera can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

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 Lutathera 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 Lutathera, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

There may be things you can do to help make certain Lutathera side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Low blood potassium

Low blood potassium (hypokalemia) was a common side effect reported in studies of Lutathera. When your blood potassium level drops too low, it could cause a heart attack and lead to death. You might feel symptoms when your potassium gets really low.

Symptoms to watch for include:

Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of low blood potassium. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor will likely recommend a hospital visit for an immediate dose of potassium and a Lutathera dosage adjustment.

Hair loss

Hair loss was a common side effect reported in studies of Lutathera.

Treating your hair gently during Lutathera treatment might help reduce hair loss. Steps you can take to help protect your hair include:

  • avoid hot styling tools (curling irons, straighteners, etc.) that may damage your hair
  • avoid hot water when washing and rinsing your hair
  • limit hair washing to no more than twice weekly
  • only use mild and fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner
  • pat your hair dry after washing it instead of rubbing, scrubbing, or blow drying it
  • use a soft hairbrush or wide-tooth comb to gently brush or comb your hair

Talk with your doctor if you have bothersome hair loss with Lutathera. They can determine the cause and recommend other ways to help manage this side effect.

Constipation

Constipation was a common side effect reported in studies of Lutathera.

Everyone experiences occasional constipation. But when it’s caused by a treatment you’ll be receiving over the course of about 6 months, constipation can become severe. Left untreated, constipation can cause nausea, rectal bleeding, or an intestinal blockage.

Symptoms of constipation may include:

  • abdominal pain
  • fewer than three bowel movements per week
  • stools that are difficult to pass
  • passing some stool, but feeling like there’s more that you can’t pass

Over-the-counter laxatives can help manage constipation. Some work within days, others within minutes. Here are some examples:

  • Polyethylene glycol 3350 (MiraLAX) is a powder you mix into a liquid and drink. It usually causes a bowel movement in 1 to 3 days.
  • Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) rectal suppository usually causes a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes.
  • Fleet, a saline rectal enema, typically causes a bowel movement in 1 to 5 minutes.

Home remedies may also help prevent constipation naturally. Increasing your water intake, eating more vegetables, and exercising are a few ways to get your bowels moving regularly.

If you have questions about which option is best for your constipation, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Before starting Lutathera treatment, discuss your health history with your doctor. Lutathera may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Lutathera is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time). Following these infusions, your body may give off small amounts of radiation for a few days. Most of this exits your body through your urine.

To help protect those around you, your doctor may recommend that you use a separate bathroom, flush twice, and avoid close contact with young children and pregnant people for a few days. These steps can help keep others safe while your body clears Lutathera from your system.

Disclaimer: MyistyClan 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.