Summary

Commonly reported side effects of peginterferon beta-1a include: arthralgia, asthenia, fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, myalgia, chills, erythema at injection site, pain at injection site, and swelling at injection site. Other side effects include: suicidal ideation, hyperthermia, increased serum alanine aminotransferase, pruritus, vomiting, decreased white blood cell count, depression, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, and increased body temperature. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to peginterferon beta-1a: solution.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, peginterferon beta-1a may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking peginterferon beta-1a:

More common

• Blue-green to black skin discoloration
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• extremely high fever or body temperature
• fast, shallow breathing
• fast, weak heartbeat
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• joint pain
• muscle aches, cramps, and pains
• pale, clammy skin
• runny nose
• seizures
• shivering
• sore throat
• sweating
• thirst
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Less common

• Dark urine
• decreased appetite
• itching skin
• light-colored stools
• stomach pain
• yellow eyes or skin

Rare

• Chest tightness
• difficulty with swallowing
• hives or welts, skin rash
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness of the skin

Other side effects

Some side effects of peginterferon beta-1a may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Difficulty with moving
• itching, rash, redness, soreness, swelling, or warmth at the injection site
• lack or loss of strength
• muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness
• pain, redness, or sloughing of the skin at the injection site

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to peginterferon beta-1a: intramuscular solution, subcutaneous kit, subcutaneous solution.

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

General

The most common side effects were injection site erythema, influenza-like illness, pyrexia, headache, myalgia, chills, injection site pain, asthenia, injection site pruritus, and arthralgia.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Decreased peripheral blood counts^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, gamma-glutamyl-transferase increased

Frequency not reported: hepatic injury^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria^[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Influenza like illness (47%)

Frequency not reported: Autoimmune disorders^[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Injection site erythema (62%), injection site pain (15%), injection site pruritus (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Injection site edema, injection site warmth, injection site hematoma, injection site rash^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (19%), arthralgia (11%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (44%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Seizures^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (45%), chills (17%), asthenia (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperthermia, pain^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Depression, suicide^[Ref]