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
- Low blood cell counts (86%)
- Injection site reactions: pain, swelling, bleeding (78%)
- Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, muscle pain, weakness, sweating (57%)
- Muscle weakness (53%)
- Headache (50%)
- Pain (42%)
- Stiff muscles (40%)
- Fever (31%)
- Muscle pain (23%)
- Chills (21%)
- Difficulty sleeping (21%)
- Rash (21%)
- Loss of balance/coordination (17%)
- Stomach pain (16%)
- Swelling in legs or hands (12%)
- Urinating more (11%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Chest pain
- Uterine bleeding
- Sexual dysfunction
- General weakness/fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
Betaseron serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Worsening liver problems or liver failure: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, itching, swelling of face or tongue, difficulty breathing
- Heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, irregular heartbeat, unable to exercise, tiredness, weakness
- Injection site necrosis (skin cell death): blue-black discoloration, swelling, broken skin
- Serious infections: fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing
- Blood problems: purple bruises or pin-point dots on the skin, pale skin, yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, fever, tiredness, confusion, difficulty breathing, not able to make urine
- Depression or suicidal ideation
- Seizures
Source: DailyMed
The following Betaseron 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
Abdominal or stomach pain
break in the skin at the injection site, with blue-black discoloration, swelling, or drainage of fluid
flu-like symptoms including chills, fever, generalized feeling of discomfort or illness, increased sweating, and muscle pain
headache or migraine
hives, itching, or swelling at the injection site
irregular or pounding heartbeat
redness, pain, or feeling of heat at the injection site
Less common
Bloody or cloudy urine
breast pain
changes in vision
cold hands and feet
difficult, burning, or painful urination
fast or racing heartbeat
frequent urge to urinate
pelvic pain
swollen glands
troubled breathing
unusual weight gain
Rare
Abnormal growth in the breast
benign lumps in the breast
bleeding problems
bloating or swelling
changes in menstrual periods
confusion
convulsions (seizures)
cyst (abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material)
decreased sexual ability in males
dry, puffy skin
feeling cold
hyperactivity
increased muscle tone
increased urge to urinate
loss of memory
mental depression with thoughts of suicide
problems with speaking
red, itching, or swollen eyes
swelling of the front part of the neck
unusual weight loss
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:
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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