The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Upper respiratory tract infections (up to 7%)
- Headache (up to 7%)
- High blood pressure (up to 6%)
- Higher liver enzymes (up to 6%)
Note: The side effects you experience might differ depending on why you're taking Actemra (tocilizumab) and whether you're receive it IV or SC.
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Bronchitis
- Rash
- Mouth sores
- Stomach pain
Actemra serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infections: fever, sweating or chills, shortness of breath, sores on the body, tiredness, muscle aches, coughing up blood, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss, burning when urinating
- Tears of the stomach or intestines: fever, stomach pain that doen't go away, change in bowel habits
- Liver problems: tiredness, reduced appetite, yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, stomach swelling, pain in the right side of your stomach, light-colored stools, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dark-colored urine
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
Source: DailyMed
The following Actemra side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
body aches or pain
chest pain or tightness
chills
cough with or without mucus
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty breathing
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
ear congestion
fast heartbeat
feeling of warmth
frequent urge to urinate
headache
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
nervousness
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
painful blisters on the trunk of the body
pale skin
pounding in the ears
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
slow or fast heartbeat
stomach pain
stuffy or runny nose
sudden sweating
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Accumulation of pus
bladder pain
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
confusion
dark urine
decrease in height
difficulty moving
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling hot
general feeling of discomfort or illness
indigestion
itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin at the injection site
joint pain
light-colored stools
muscle ache, pain, cramp, or stiffness
pain in the back, ribs, arms, legs, groin, or genitals
severe stomach pain
sharp back pain just below the ribs
shivering
stomach upset
sweating
swollen joints
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the face, neck, armpit, or groin
swollen, red, or tender area of infection
tenderness in the stomach area
trouble with sleeping
unexplained runny nose or sneezing
vomiting
yellow eyes and skin
Rare
Belching
changes in skin color
coughing or spitting up blood
fainting
gaseous stomach pain
lightheadedness
neck pain
night sweats
noisy breathing
rapid, shallow breathing
recurrent fever
red, tender, or oozing skin at the wounded area
sudden high fever or low-grade fever for months
swelling of the foot or leg
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
dilated neck veins
extreme tiredness or weakness
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuous
Some side effects 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
Burning, dry, or itching eyes
discharge, excessive tearing
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
skin rash, encrusted, scaly and oozing
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
Less common
Abnormal or decreased touch sensation
bleeding or redness and swelling of the gums
blemishes on the skin
bloody eye
chapped, red, or swollen lips
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
irritation in the mouth
loose teeth
persistent breath odor or bad taste in your mouth
redness or swelling in the ear
scaling, redness, burning, pain, or other signs of inflammation on the lips
sensation of spinning
sore mouth or tongue
white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
Rare
Bleeding after passing stool
blindness
bloody nose
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
change in hearing
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
coughing or spitting up blood
decreased vision or other changes in vision
ear drainage
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
hearing loss
increased hunger, thirst, urination
itching ears
uncomfortable swelling around the anus
unexplained weight loss
unsteadiness or awkwardness
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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