Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is a prescription medicine known as a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker. It is used to treat various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. While Cimzia is effective in managing these conditions, it can also cause side effects. It's important to understand these potential side effects to manage them effectively.
Common and Mild Side Effects of Cimzia
Cimzia can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. The most common side effects reported by people who received Cimzia in clinical trials include:
- Skin rash
- Respiratory infection, such as the common cold
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Injection site reaction
- Hair loss
Mild side effects that have been reported with Cimzia include:
- Headache
- Herpes virus reactivation in people who have had exposure to the herpes virus, which can result in chickenpox, shingles, or cold sores
- Joint pain
- High blood pressure
- Mild allergic reaction
Serious Side Effects of Cimzia
Typically, side effects of Cimzia are mild. However, some people might develop serious side effects from this drug. Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Nerve conditions, such as multiple sclerosis. Symptoms can include dizziness, numbness or tingling, weakness in your arms or legs, and changes in vision.
- Low blood cell levels, such as low white blood cells. Symptoms can include fever, bruising easier than usual, and bleeding that doesn’t stop as quickly as usual.
- Heart failure. Symptoms can include swelling of your ankles or feet, shortness of breath, and weight gain.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. Cimzia can reactivate HBV in people who have been exposed to the virus in the past and carry the inactive form. Reactivation may cause a hepatitis B infection. Symptoms can include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, and vomiting.
- Lupus-like syndrome (a long-term condition that causes pain and inflammation throughout the body). Symptoms can include shortness of breath, joint pain, and rash on the cheeks or arms.
Cimzia also has boxed warnings for the risk of certain cancers and severe infection.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Cimzia and Weight Changes
Weight gain wasn’t reported as a side effect in Cimzia’s clinical trials. However, it’s possible to develop new or worsening heart failure from Cimzia. A symptom of heart failure is swelling of the legs or ankles, which can lead to sudden weight gain. If you notice weight gain during Cimzia treatment, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your weight gain and the best way to treat it.
Weight loss and weight gain weren’t seen in the drug’s clinical trials, but they may be symptoms of other serious side effects of Cimzia. Sometimes, weight loss can be a symptom of a serious infection caused by Cimzia, such as hepatitis B reactivation or tuberculosis (TB). If you have unexplained weight changes during your Cimzia treatment, talk with your doctor right away.
Other Side Effects of Cimzia
Other potential side effects of Cimzia include:
- Eye-related side effects: Cimzia may cause optic neuritis (swelling of the area around your optic nerve). This may cause symptoms such as vision loss or eye pain. Also, Cimzia may increase the risk of nerve problems such as multiple sclerosis. This condition may cause changes in your vision. Other eye conditions, such as bleeding of the vessels in your eye or uveitis (swelling of the eye), may occur from Cimzia treatment as well.
- Hair loss: Hair loss is a possible side effect of Cimzia.
- Itching: Itchiness is not a known side effect of Cimzia. However, itching is a possible symptom of an allergic reaction. Itchiness can also be a sign of a rash or dermatitis, which is also a possible side effect of Cimzia.
Precautions and Interactions
Before using certolizumab injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to certolizumab injection; any other medications, latex or rubber, or any of the ingredients in certolizumab injection. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving certolizumab injection.
Cimzia is not known to interact with alcohol. However, it’s possible for alcohol to worsen some of the side effects of Cimzia. For example, both Cimzia and alcohol can cause headaches. So the combination of Cimzia and alcohol can increase the risk and severity of headaches further. In addition, alcohol may make your condition worse.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Managing Side Effects
Understanding your risk factors is key when it comes to avoiding them. For instance, some of the more common risk factors could be things like diet, alcohol use, smoking, and stress. Once you identify what can trigger flares, you can better manage them.
- Diet: It’s important to take note of the foods you are eating and how they make you feel. Your flares and what you eat may go hand-in-hand. Some foods or drinks can irritate Crohn’s disease symptoms, so it’s important to learn which foods are irritants and alter your diet as needed. Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, nuts, some green veggies, and certain other foods can also help.
- Smoking: Smoking can have greater effects on people with Crohn’s disease.
- Stress: Stress can increase flare-ups of symptoms, such as abdominal pain or diarrhea.
- Infections: You can take steps to help prevent infections from occurring. These include washing your hands and staying away from people who are sick.
Cimzia and the Immune System
CIMZIA is a prescription medicine called a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker that can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people who received CIMZIA have developed serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body.
Cimzia may reduce the activity of the immune system (also referred to as weakening the immune system), which can increase the risk of cancer. Although cancer was not a common side effect of Cimzia, it can still develop. Types of cancer that can develop from Cimzia treatment include lymphoma, leukemia, and skin cancer.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation