Side Effects to Watch for on Immunotherapy

Call your healthcare team if you have ANY side effects from the list below.

• Diarrhea: more than 4 loose stools (poo) in 24 hours, mucous or blood in your stools (may look dark, sticky or tarry), severe stomach pains, tenderness, or cramping
• Skin problems: itchiness, rash, blistering or peeling skin, or changes to the colour/texture of skin
• New chest pain, or sudden shortness of breath (having a hard time breathing) – go straight to an Emergency Department near you
• New or worsening cough
• Flu-like symptoms (chills, feeling warm, aches, and pains) that last more than 48 hours
• A fever of 38.3°C (101°F) or higher (even if this only happens once) OR 38.0°C (100.4°F) that lasts for more than 1 hour. Note: If you are on chemotherapy follow the fever guidelines for these treatments
• Nausea or vomiting that continues for more than 24 hours or does not go away after taking your drugs for nausea
• Eye problems: eye redness, irritation, pain, or vision changes
• Liver problems: yellow colour to eyes or skin; very dark, tea-coloured pee; bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
• Kidney problems: change in the amount or colour of pee, blood in urine, ankle swelling, lower back or side pain, less desire to eat
• Hormone changes: extreme tiredness (fatigue); unexpected weight changes; feeling weak, faint or dizzy; changes in mood or behaviour such as irritability (feeling cranky) or forgetful; hair loss; feeling sensitive to cold or heat; fast heartbeat; extreme thirst; a need to pee more than usual; or intense or unusual headaches
• Allergic reaction (during or within hours of getting the drug): sudden or severe rash; swollen lips, face or tongue; chest and/or throat tightness