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

Xpovio is used in adults to treat the following types of cancer in certain situations:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Xpovio can cause. To learn more about this medication, including its uses, dosage, and cost, read this Xpovio overview.

Xpovio 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.

Xpovio’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 Xpovio. These include:

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

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 Xpovio treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

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

Xpovio 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 Xpovio’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Xpovio, 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 include:

To learn more 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 Xpovio and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Xpovio can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

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

There may be things you can do to help make certain Xpovio 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.

Infection

Mild upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold) was a common side effect reported in studies of Xpovio.

Serious infections such as pneumonia and sepsis were also commonly reported in studies.

Symptoms associated with this side effect can vary depending on the type of infection you have. But in general, steps you can take to manage symptoms of infection include:

Digestive side effects

Mild digestive side effects were commonly reported in studies of Xpovio. Examples of these side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Severe digestive side effects were also common side effects reported in studies.

Severe digestive side effects may lead to additional side effects or issues, such as dehydration, weight loss, and low levels of sodium in the blood.

Nausea and vomiting may lead to you eating or drinking less, which raises your risk of dehydration. Your doctor may prescribe you medication, such as ondansetron (Zofran), to reduce nausea and vomiting.

If diarrhea is severe, you may lose too much body fluid and may be at increased risk of dehydration. Your doctor will prescribe a medication to help prevent diarrhea, such as loperamide.

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with digestive side effects include:

  • staying hydrated by taking small sips of water on a regular basis
  • for diarrhea, eating foods that help firm up your stool, including bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast
  • avoiding fried and greasy foods

Before taking Xpovio, discuss your health history with your doctor. Xpovio 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:

  • recent or active infection (“active” means currently causing symptoms)
  • bleeding problems
  • stomach or bowel problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • 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.