Amjevita Side Effects: Infection, Allergy, Weight Gain and Other Side Effects. Last 23 September 2016, the Food and Drug Administration approved Amjevita to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions. [Related arthritis post: Arthritis Injections for Sciatica Pain?]
What are the side effects of this drug?
Here’s a list of possible serious Amjevita side effects according to Amgen, the drugmaker:
Serious Infections. Your doctor will examine you for TB and perform a test to see if you have TB. If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with AMJEVITA and during treatment with AMJEVITA. Even if your TB test is negative your doctor should carefully monitor you for TB infections while you are taking AMJEVITA. People who had a negative TB skin test before receiving AMJEVITA have developed active TB.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms while taking or after taking AMJEVITA:
- cough that does not go away
- low grade fever
- weight loss
- loss of body fat and muscle (wasting)
Hepatitis B infection in people who carry the virus in their blood. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (a virus that affects the liver), the virus can become active while you use AMJEVITA. Your doctor should do blood tests before you start treatment, while you are using AMJEVITA , and for several months after you stop treatment with AMJEVITA.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms of a possible hepatitis B infection:
- muscle aches
- feeling very tired
- dark urine
- skin or eyes look yellow
- little or no appetite
- vomiting
- clay-colored bowel movements
- fever
- chills
- stomach discomfort
- skin rash
Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can happen in people who use AMJEVITA. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: hives , trouble breathing, and swelling of your face, eyes, lips or mouth.
Nervous system problems. Signs and symptoms of a nervous system problem include: numbness or tingling, problems with your vision, weakness in your arms or legs, and dizziness.
Blood problems. Your body may not make enough of the blood cells that help fight infections or help to stop bleeding. Symptoms include a fever that does not go away, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking very pale.
New heart failure or worsening of heart failure you already have. Call your doctor right away if you get new or worsening symptoms of heart failure while taking AMJEVITA, including:
- shortness of breath
- sudden weight gain
- swelling of your ankles or feet
Immune reactions including a lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms include chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, or a rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun.
Symptoms may improve when you stop AMJEVITA.
Liver problems. Liver problems can happen in people who use TNF-blocker medicines. These problems can lead to liver failure and death. Call your doctor rightaway if you have any of these symptoms:
- feeling very tired
- poor appetite or vomiting
- skin or eyes look yellow
- pain on the right side of your stomach (abdomen)
Psoriasis. Some people using AMJEVITA had new psoriasis or worsening of psoriasis they already had. Tell your doctor if you develop red scaly patches or raised bumps that arefilled with pus. Your doctor may decide to stop your treatment with AMJEVITA.
Call your doctor or get medical care right away if you develop any of the above symptoms. Your treatment with
AMJEVITA may be stopped.
Meanwhile, less serious but common Amjevita side effects include the following:
- injection site reactions: redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising. These symptoms usually will go away within a few days. Call your doctor right away if you have pain, redness or swelling around the injection site that does not go away within a few days or gets worse.
- upper respiratory infections (including sinus infections)
- headaches
- rash