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Short answer Living with alpelisib: what to watch for Common questions Related questions Sources**The most common side effects of alpelisib are high blood sugar, rash, diarrhea, nausea, mouth sores, low appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.**
Alpelisib blocks a signaling protein called PI3K, which also helps your body handle glucose, so raised blood sugar is the effect your care team watches most closely. Your fasting glucose and A1C are checked before you start and on a set schedule afterward, and many people take metformin alongside it. Rash usually shows up in the first two weeks, and starting a non-sedating antihistamine on day one lowers how often it happens. Taking the tablet with food, drinking fluids steadily, and keeping a simple log of glucose readings, stools, and mouth soreness gives your team what it needs to adjust the dose before a problem grows.
Living with alpelisib: what to watch for
Common questions
What are the side effects of Alpelisib?
Alpelisib (sold as Piqray and Vijoice) most often causes high blood sugar, rash, diarrhea, nausea, mouth sores, reduced appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and hair thinning. Hyperglycemia is the effect that most often leads to a dose change, so your team checks fasting glucose and A1C before treatment and regularly during it, and metformin is commonly added. Rash tends to appear early and is often prevented with a daily antihistamine. Contact your oncology team promptly for a severe, peeling, or blistering rash, heavy thirst with frequent urination or confusion, new shortness of breath or cough, or diarrhea that does not settle, since these need same-day assessment.
