Mild joint, muscle pain or cramps;
Headache (less common)

• Take your pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets as needed for mild aches and pains. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first before taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin. These medication may increase bleeding risk.
• Rest often and try light exercise as it may help.

Rarely these symptoms may persist for many months even after you stop your treatment.

Hair thinning or loss 

• Use a gentle soft brush and avoid hair sprays, bleaches, dyes and perms.
• In most cases, your hair will grow back after treatment, but the texture or colour may change. 

Taste changes

• Eat food that needs less chewing.
• Taste foods at different temperatures, since the flavor may change. 
• Try different forms of foods, like fresh, frozen or canned.
• Experiment with non-spicy foods, spices and seasonings. 

Rarely these symptoms may persist for many months even after you stop your treatment. 

Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Low appetite, weight loss

• You may not feel like eating or you may lose weight.
• Try to eat foods that you like and eat small meals throughout the day. 
• You may need to take meal supplements to help keep your weight up.
• Talk to your health care team if you have a low appetite.
• See our Loss of appetite pamphlet for more information.

Rarely these symptoms may persist for many months even after you stop your treatment.

Fatigue (tiredness)

• Be active and aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are able to talk comfortably while exercising) on most days. Check with your health care team before starting any new exercise.
• Pace yourself, do not rush. Put off less important activities. Rest when you need to.
• Eat well and stay hydrated by drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids every day (unless your doctor told you to drink more or less).
• Avoid driving or using machinery if you are feeling tired

See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. 

Changes in your menstrual periods

You may have changes in your menstruation cycle (periods) or menstruation flow (heavy or light periods).

Nausea and vomiting (generally mild)

May occur in hours to days after your treatment. 

If you have nausea or vomiting:

• Take anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed to you by your doctor. 
• Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
• Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
• Limit caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea) and alcohol.
• Contact your health care team if the prescribed anti-nausea medications are not helping to control your nausea and vomiting.

 Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.

Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Salt imbalances

It may cause muscle twitching, severe weakness or cramping, confusion and irregular heartbeat.

Diarrhea

May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.

If you have diarrhea :

• Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it.
• Avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (e.g. chewing gum, “diet” drinks), coffee and alcohol.
• Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day. Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6-8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.

​See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

Abnormal liver lab tests (may be severe)

• Your doctor may monitor your liver regularly with a blood test but you may not have any symptoms.

• Rarely this may be severe and you may have yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly. Talk to your health care team right away (urgently) if this happens.

Constipation

To help prevent constipation:

• Drink more liquids and eat well. Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day unless you have been told otherwise.
• Be Active. Exercise can help to keep you regular.
• Try to eat more fiber (e.g. fruits with skin, leafy greens and whole grains). If you take opioid pain medication, ask your health care team if eating more fibre is right for you.

To help treat constipation:

• If you have not had a bowel movement in 2 to 3 days you may need to take a laxative. Ask your health care team what to do.

See the Constipation Pamphlet for more information.

Cough; feeling short of breath (rarely may be severe)

You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose.

If you have severe chest pain, shortness of breath or are coughing up blood you should seek emergency medical help right away.

Abnormal kidney lab tests (may be severe)

• Signs of a kidney problem include swelling, passing very little or no pee, or new unusual weight gain. If you have these signs, call your health care team or go to your closest emergency department.
• To prevent bladder or kidney problems, drink lots of water or other liquids. Your doctor may ask you to drink at least 6 to 8 cups (2 L) per day on treatment days, unless you have been told otherwise.
• Your doctor may check your kidney function regularly.

Trouble falling asleep

• This may be caused by one of your medications and may improve once your body gets used to the medication or when your treatment ends.
• Talk to your doctor if this bothers you.

Fever, chills, infection

You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:

• 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time OR
• 38.0°C (or 100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.

While you are taking vismodegib:

• Keep a digital thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills).
• Avoid taking medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol®, acetaminophen, Advil® or ibuprofen) as they may hide a fever.
• Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.
• Wash your hands often.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, surgeries, medical procedures or visiting your dentist.

If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room.