What should I watch for?
Visit your doctor for checks on your progress. This drug may make you feel generally unwell. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.
In some patients, this medicine may cause a serious brain infection that may cause death. If you have any problems seeing, thinking, speaking, walking, or standing, tell your doctor right away. If you cannot reach your doctor, urgently seek other source of medical care.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 6 months after stopping it. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping it. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.
This may interfere with the ability to father a child. You should talk to your doctor or health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.
Common and Rare Side Effects
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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
body aches or pain
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
chills
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty with breathing
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
stuffy or runny nose
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing with exertion
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common
back pain
bladder pain
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blurred vision
cloudy urine
confusion
convulsions
dizziness or lightheadedness
drowsiness
fainting
fast heartbeat
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
irregular heartbeat
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
rapid weight gain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
severe pain in the chest
stomach pain
sudden onset of severe breathing difficulty
sudden shortness of breath or troubled breathing
thickening of bronchial secretions
unusual weight gain or loss
Incidence not known
Bloody stools
indigestion
severe abdominal pain, cramping, or burning
severe constipation
severe vomiting
vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds
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
Decreased appetite or weight
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
difficulty with moving
hair loss or thinning of the hair
muscle stiffness
night sweats
pain in the arms or legs
rash
trouble sleeping
vomiting
Less common
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.
