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
- Injection-site reaction (89%)
- Headache (65%)
- Flu-like symptoms (56%)
- Fatigue (33%)
- Fever (25%)
- Muscle pain (25%)
- Stomach pain (22%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Changes in blood tests
- Thyroid problems
- Muscle stiffness
- Rash
Rebif serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver damage: severe stomach pain, pale stools, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes
- Chest pain
- Infection at injection site
- Abnormal bleeding
- Seizures
Source: FDA
The following Rebif 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
chills
flu-like symptoms
headache
joint pain
muscle aches
painful or difficult urination
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swollen glands
trouble breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Clumsiness or unsteadiness
decreased hearing
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fainting
feeling of warmth
mood changes, especially with thoughts of suicide
pain or discharge from the vagina
pelvic discomfort, aching, or heaviness
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site
runny or stuffy nose
seizures
skin lesions
speech problems
stomach pain
swelling of the face, lips, or eyelids
Rare
general feeling of discomfort or illness
loss of appetite
painful blisters on trunk of the body
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
Incidence not known
Bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
bloody nose
chest discomfort
confusion
dark urine
decreased urine output
depressed mood
dilated neck veins
dry skin and hair
extreme fatigue
fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
feeling cold
general tiredness and weakness
heavier menstrual periods
high fever
irregular breathing
light-colored stools
loss of bladder control
mental depression
mood or other mental changes
muscle cramps and stiffness
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
pale skin
persistent loss of appetite
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids, or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
sensitivity to heat
skin rash
slowed heartbeat
sudden loss of consciousness
sweating
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
swelling of the mouth or throat
tightness in the chest
tightness in the throat
upper right stomach pain or tenderness
weight gain or loss
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:
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.
Other Rebif articles
Other Interferon Betas side effects articles
Why trust our experts?
