Biologic Response Modifiers Side Effects and Warnings

All patients receiving biologic response modifiers must first undergo a skin test for tuberculosis, a chest x-ray, a complete blood count, as well as blood tests for liver and kidney function. Certain blood tests will continue to be monitored throughout the course of treatment.

Possible side effects include:

• Chills
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Muscular pain or tenderness
• Injection site reactions

Serious complications may include:

• Allergic reactions
• Serious infections
• Blood-related cancers
• Low platelets
• Severe, immune-mediated anemia
• Arthritis events
• Psoriasis worsening
• Lupus-like reactions
• Multiple sclerosis-like reactions
• Increased risk for children and teens to develop Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other types of cancer

Contraindications:

• Known chronic infections
• Allergy to any of the medication components
• Low white blood cell counts