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]