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What are the side effects of Alpelisib?

Updated Sep 7, 20262 min readAnswer
On this pageShort answer Living with alpelisib: what to watch for Common questions Related questions Sources
Short answer

**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.

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Living with alpelisib: what to watch for

1Track your glucose:Check blood sugar as instructed and report readings that stay high, along with thirst, frequent urination, or blurry vision.
2Start rash prevention early:Ask whether to begin a non-sedating antihistamine on your first day, since rash usually appears within the first two weeks.
3Treat diarrhea fast:Keep an antidiarrheal your team approves on hand, drink fluids, and call if stools stay loose for more than a day.
4Care for your mouth:Rinse with a salt and baking soda solution several times daily and skip alcohol-based mouthwash to limit sores.
5Check every new medicine:Tell your pharmacist before adding any drug, supplement, or herbal product, because several interact with alpelisib.
6Know the urgent signs:Seek care the same day for blistering or peeling skin, fever with rash, facial swelling, or new breathing trouble.

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.

About this page. Written and maintained by the Pymander Health team. Last updated September 7, 2026.

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