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
- Rash (53%)
- Headache (52%)
- Fever (29%)
- Sore throat, runny nose (25%)
- Nausea (21%)
- Urinary tract infection (19%)
- Tiredness (18%)
- Difficulty sleeping (16%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (16%)
- Herpes viral infection (16%)
- Hives (16%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Itching
- Thyroid problems
- Fungal infection
- Joint pain
- Pain in arms and legs
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Sinus inflammation
- Mouth and throat pain
- "Pins and needles" feeling
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Flushing
- Vomiting
Lemtrada serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Autoimmune problems: see the risks and warnings section for more specific autoimmune problems and their associated signs and symptoms
- Serious allergic and infusion reactions: low or high blood pressure, chest pain, low or high heart rate, headache, fever, rash, nausea, hives, difficulty sleeping, chills, flushing, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness
- Stroke: sudden trouble speaking, droopy face, sudden confusion, numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg
- Cancers: new lumps or swelling in your neck, pain in the front of the neck, changes in your voice, trouble swallowing or breathing, constant cough not due to an infection, changes in your skin
- Inflammatory problems: see the risks and warnings section for more specific inflammatory problems and their associated signs and symptoms
- Serious infections: fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, weakness, cough, stomach pain, sweating, chills, burning when you urinate, urinating more often
Source: DailyMed
The following Lemtrada 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
blood in the urine
chills
dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast heartbeat
headache
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sweating
swollen glands
tightness in the chest
trouble breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Bloating or swelling of the face, hands, lower legs, or feet
hoarseness
lower back or side pain
muscle weakness
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
pounding or irregular heartbeat or pulse
rapid weight gain
red or purple spots on the skin, varying in size and remaining after pushing the skin surface
unexplained nosebleeds
Rare
Bloody nose
flushing of the face or neck
swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips
white patches on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the folds of the skin, including the genitals
Incidence not known
back pain
blindness
blurred or double vision
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
dark urine
decreased urine output
decreased vision
difficulty in speaking
dilated neck veins
discouragement
double vision
drowsiness
extreme tiredness or weakness
feeling of discomfort
feeling sad or empty
general feeling of tiredness and weakness
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
irregular breathing
irritability
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
lack of appetite
light-colored stools
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle aches or pain
nightmares or unusually vivid dreams
numbness, pain, tingling, or weakness
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
painful or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
seizures
shakiness and unsteady walk
slow speech
spitting or coughing up blood
sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
upper right abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
yellow eyes and skin
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
Fear or nervousness
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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