If you get sick or are injured your doctors may need to change your cortisone dose. Suramin may cause other side effects. If your cell counts are low you could be at more risk for infection, bleeding and could require a blood transfusion. Suramin can also cause a decrease in kidney function, numbness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation of the pancreas, rashes or mouth sores, or blood clots. Radiation therapy can cause the skin to tan, turn red, or blister.
Radiation can also cause hair loss, cataracts, nausea, headaches, tiredness and sleepiness.
Radiation may also cause damage to normal brain tissue. Suramin may make the body more sensitive to radiation therapy. This would increase the chance of these side effects. We do not know what serious effects this drug could have on an unborn child. For this reason, safe birth control methods are required while you are on this study.