Betaseron SubQ

Betaseron SubQ Side Effects

Injection site reactions (pain/swelling/redness), abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Most patients have flu-like symptoms such as headache, tiredness, fever, chills, and muscle aches when they first start this medication. These symptoms usually last about 1 day after the injection and improve or go away after a few months of continued use. You can reduce these side effects by injecting this medicine at bedtime and using fever reducers/pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen before each dose. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

• mental/mood changes (e.g., new or worsening depression, thoughts of suicide, psychosis)
• feeling too hot or cold (more than others around you)
• persistent tiredness
• gradual change in weight (without a change in diet or exercise)

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

• easy bleeding/bruising
• persistent nausea/vomiting
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat)
• stomach/abdominal pain
• dark urine
• yellowing eyes/skin

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

• chest pain
• seizures

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. In the US, you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Betaseron SubQ Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).