As with other drugs, Ojjaara (momelotinib) can cause side effects, such as diarrhea and low blood cell levels. If you are not able to tolerate the side effects of Ojjaara, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Ojjaara (momelotinib) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for myelofibrosis (MF) in adults with anemia (low red blood cell count). MF is a rare type of bone marrow cancer.

If you have problems with side effects from Ojjaara, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Ojjaara without consulting your doctor first.

Ojjaara can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ojjaara in clinical trials:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section later in the article.

Mild side effects can occur with Ojjaara use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Ojjaara include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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 medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Ojjaara and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Ojjaara 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 Ojjaara’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Ojjaara, 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 and their symptoms include:

  • liver problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fatigue
    • upper right abdominal pain
    • dark color urine
    • jaundice
    • loss of appetite
  • serious infections, including bacterial infections, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fever or chills
  • increased risk of cancer, which may include symptoms such as:
  • blood clots, which may include symptoms such as:
    • pain, swelling, or discoloration in an arm or leg
    • difficulty breathing
    • chest pain
  • major cardiovascular events
  • low platelet levels
  • low white blood cell levels

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section later in the article.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Ojjaara 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.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ojjaara, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ojjaara may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Ojjaara.

Low level of platelets and white blood cells

Ojjaara treatment can reduce the optimum number of platelets and neutrophils (also called white blood cells). Platelets are required for blood clotting. The medical term for low platelets is thrombocytopenia. This was a common side effect reported in studies of Ojjaara.

Neutrophils help defend your body from infections. The medical term for low neutrophils is neutropenia. This was a less common side effect in Ojjaara studies.

Thrombocytopenia itself typically doesn’t cause symptoms but it reduces your blood’s ability to clot. This increases your risk of bleeding. Symptoms of bleeding may include:

Similarly, neutropenia doesn’t cause specific symptoms, but it increases your risk of developing infections. Symptoms of infection depend on the type of infection but may include:

If you experience symptoms of bleeding or infection, tell your doctor right away. They’ll order a test called a complete blood count (CBC) to check your blood cell levels. They’ll also prescribe treatment for bleeding or infection.

To help reduce your risk of low platelets and neutrophils, your doctor will check your blood cell levels before starting Ojjaara and check the levels regularly during treatment. If they become low, your doctor may pause Ojjaara or adjust your dose. They’ll resume your regular Ojjaara dosage once your blood cell levels reach an optimal or acceptable range.

Major cardiovascular events

Some people taking a drug similar to Ojjaara have experienced major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke. While these events are possible with Ojjaara, however, this side effect was not reported in Ojjaara’s studies.

Symptoms of heart attack may include:

  • chest pain, pressure, tightness, or squeezing
  • pain in your throat, neck, jaw, arm, or back
  • difficulty breathing
  • breaking out in a cold sweat
  • dizziness

Symptoms of stroke may include:

  • sudden weakness on one side of your face or body
  • difficulty speaking

Factors that may increase the risk of this side effect include a current or past history of smoking or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

If you experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, get immediate medical help. Call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Before you start treatment with Ojjaara, your doctor will likely discuss the benefits and risks of Ojjaara as per your health history. They’ll determine whether Ojjaara is the right treatment for your condition.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) was one of the most common side effects reported in clinical trials of Ojjaara. This side effect is usually mild and may go away once your body gets used to the medication. However, diarrhea can also be a symptom of a gastrointestinal infection, and Ojjaara treatment can increase your risk of this infection.

If you experience mild diarrhea after starting Ojjaara, adjusting what you eat may help relieve it. For instance, high fiber foods such as oatmeal and bananas may help bulk up your stool. It’s also important to replace the fluids you lose from watery stool to help prevent dehydration.

If your diarrhea does not go away, becomes more severe, or you have other symptoms (such as fever or vomiting) in addition to diarrhea, talk with your doctor about possible causes and treatment options. For instance, if your diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

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

  • liver problems
  • current infection or infections that keep coming back
  • history of hepatitis B
  • low platelet count
  • low white blood cell count
  • history of cancer (other than myelofibrosis)
  • heart disease
  • heart disease risk factors, such as diabetes or current or past smoking
  • past heart attack or stroke
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.