Certolizumab pegol Side Effects

Serious Side Effects of Cimzia

Nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, seizures and swelling of the optical nerves
Flu symptoms such as high fever, chills, vomiting, and sore throat
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet or ankles
Rash and blistering

Common Side Effects

Itching, redness or swelling at the injection site
Respiratory problems such as stuff nose and sinus pain
Bladder issues involving stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation.

Warnings & Recalls for Certolizumab pegol

Family Planning Warnings

Cimzia is category C and is not harmful to babies in the womb. Patients should inform their doctors if they plan to have a child during treatment.
Doctors should be informed if a patient is breast-feeding a baby, because it is unknown whether cimzia infiltrates breast milk and possibly harm a baby.

General Warnings

Patient's risk of infection may be higher if they are on any of these medications: Kineret | anakinra, Orencia | abatacept, Rituxan | rituximab, or Tysabri | natalizumab.

Patients should avoid other TNF inhibitors such as Remicade | infliximab, Humira | adalimumab, Enbrel | etanercept and Simponi | golimumab.

Patient's should not receive any vaccinations while undergoing Cimzia treatment.

Interactions

Patients should not take Cimzia alongside most other medication.

Certolizumab pegol Treatment and Use

What is it?

Cimzia | Certolizumab pegol is used to treat Crohn’s disease when other prescribed drugs are ineffective. It also remedies moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

How does it work?

Cimzia works by restricting the activities of tumor necrosis factors, which are molecules in the human body that cause inflammation.

How to take it?

Cimzia comes in two forms. The first is a powder that is mixed with water and injected into the skin by a health professional in a medical office. The second form is a pre-filled syringe that is injected by the patient in the privacy of his or her home.

Cimzia may be injected anywhere on the thighs or abdomen, except the navel and the two-inch area around it. Do not inject Cimzia into tender, bruised, red, scarred or stretch-marked skin. Be sure to rotate application sites every time. Choose a new spot that is at least one inch away from a previously used spot. For Crohn’s disease, the first dose of Cimzia should be 400 milligrams. This should be followed by 400 milligram injections during weeks two and four. Subsequent 400 milligram injections should be given every four weeks. For rheumatoid arthritis, the first dose of Cimzia should be 400 milligrams. This should be followed by 400 milligram injections during weeks two and four. Subsequent 200 milligram injections should be given every other week.

If a patient chooses to inject Cimzia at home, he or she should make sure that the substance in the syringe is clear or pale yellow. If it contains large, colored particles, do not use it. Instead, the patient should contact a pharmacist and report the problem.