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
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- High blood pressure (up to 28%)
- Joint pain (up to 16%)
- Fever (10%)
- Dizziness (10%)
Taking zidovudine for HIV
- Fever (42%)
- Cough (26%)
- Rash (19%)
Cancer chemotherapy
- Nausea (35%)
- Vomiting (20%)
- Muscle pain (10%)
- Joint pain (10%)
- Mouth sores (10%)
Certain surgeries
- Nausea (up to 56)
- Vomiting (up to 28%)
- Itchiness (up to 21%)
- Headache (up to 18%)
- Injection-site pain (up to 13%)
Less Common Side Effects
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Muscle spasm
- Upper respiratory tract infection
Taking zidovudine for HIV
- Injections-site irritation
- Hives
- Congestion
Cancer chemotherapy
- Cough
- Weight loss
- Low white blood cell count
- Bone pain
- Rash
- High blood sugar
- Trouble sleeping
- Headache
- Depression
- Difficulty swallowing
Certain surgeries
- Chills
- Cough
- High blood pressure
- Rash
- Swelling
Epogen serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Blood clot: pain in the legs, cool or pale arm or leg, sudden trouble seeing, chest pain, trouble breathing
- Heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness
- Stroke: sudden weakness in arms or legs, difficulty speaking, trouble understanding speech, sudden confusion, balance problems, trouble walking, fainting
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, itching, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, fainting, facial swelling, fast pulse, sweating
- Serious skin reactions: itchy rash, blisters, skin sores, peeling
- Seizures
Source: DailyMed
The following Epogen 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
headache
increased blood pressure
swelling of the face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs
Less common
blurred vision
change in skin color
change in vision
dizziness or lightheadedness
double vision
fainting
fast heartbeat
migraine headache
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
pale skin
partial or complete loss of vision in the eye
seizures
severe headache of sudden onset
skin rash or hives
slurred speech
sudden and severe inability to speak
sudden loss of coordination
sweating
temporary blindness
tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, or skin discoloration at the injection site
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vision problems
vomiting
weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
chills
joint or muscle pain
red, irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
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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