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Serostim

Serostim Side Effects

Daisy Chau, PharmDKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Reviewed by Daisy Chau, PharmD, Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 3, 2024

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

  • Swelling in the hands and feet (26-45%)
  • Joint pain (36-37%)
  • Muscle pain (12-30%)
  • Pain in the hands and feet (19%)
  • Loss of sensation (5-15%)
  • Joint wear (8-11%)
  • Tingling or numbness (8-11%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Enlarged breasts in men
  • High blood sugar
  • High triglycerides (fat) in the blood

Serostim serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis): nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain that spreads to your back
  • Severe allergic reactions: skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of face or tongue, trouble breathing, chest tightness
  • Very high blood sugar levels (diabetic ketoacidosis): tiredness, thirst, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, vomiting, abdominal pain, trouble breathing

Source: DailyMed

The following Serostim 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

Abnormal or decreased touch sensation

bleeding after defecation

bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blood in the urine

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

changes in skin color

cold flu-like symptoms

cold hands and feet

confusion

constipation

cough or hoarseness

darkened urine

decreased urination

diarrhea

difficult urination

dizziness

dry mouth

fainting or loss of consciousness

fast heartbeat

fast or irregular breathing

feeling unusually cold

fever or chills

full or bloated feeling

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

increase in heart rate

itching or skin rash

joint pain

light-colored stools

lightheadedness

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pain or stiffness

nausea

pain

pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pressure in the stomach

rapid, shallow breathing

rapid weight gain

rectal bleeding

runny nose

shivering

sneezing

sore mouth or tongue

sore throat

stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

sweating

swelling of the abdominal or stomach area

swelling of the eyes or eyelids

swelling or puffiness of the face

swollen joints

thirst

tightness in the chest

tingling of the hands or feet

trouble breathing

trouble sleeping

uncomfortable swelling around the anus

unpleasant breath odor

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight gain or loss

vomiting

vomiting of blood

white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat

wrinkled skin

yellow eyes or skin

Less common

Bone or skeletal pain

burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger

chest pain

depressed mood

dry skin and hair

feeling cold

hair loss

hoarseness or husky voice

slowed heartbeat

swelling of the ankles

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Anxiety

blurred vision

changes in vision

cold sweats

coma

cool, pale skin

decrease in the amount of urine

depression

excessive sweating

extreme weakness

flushed, dry skin

frequent urination

fruit-like breath odor

increase in hands and feet size

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

increased volume of pale, diluted urine

nightmares

noisy, rattling breathing

pain in the arms or legs

seizures

shakiness

slurred speech

stop in menstruation

swelling of the fingers or hands

troubled breathing at rest

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

Body aches or pain

breast pain

change in the color, amount, or odor of vaginal discharge

congestion

discoloration of the fingernails or toenails

dryness or soreness of the throat

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

frequent urge to defecate

increased sweating

passing gas

sneezing

straining while passing stool

stuffy nose

tender, swollen glands in neck

trouble with swallowing

voice changes

Less common

Discouragement

feeling sad or empty

irritability

lack of appetite

loss of interest or pleasure

tiredness

trouble concentrating

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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Daisy Chau, PharmD
Reviewed by:
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Daisy Chau, PharmD, is the drug information pharmacist manager at GoodRx. She is licensed in California and has more than 6 years of experience working as a pharmacist in drug information.
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

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