Skip to main content

Alefacept Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 7, 2024.

Applies to alefacept: intramuscular powder for solution.

Serious side effects of alefacept

Along with its needed effects, alefacept 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 while taking alefacept:

More common side effects

  • chills
  • cough
  • fever
  • hoarseness
  • lower back or side pain
  • painful or difficult urination

Less common side effects

  • body aches or pain
  • congestion
  • dryness or soreness of the throat
  • runny nose
  • tender, swollen glands in the neck
  • trouble with swallowing
  • voice changes

Rare side effects

  • arm, back, or jaw pain
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • chest tightness or heaviness
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • nausea
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  • shortness of breath
  • sweating
  • vomiting

Other side effects of alefacept

Some side effects of alefacept 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 side effects

  • pain, swelling, bleeding, skin rash, or lumps at the injection site

Less common side effects

  • difficulty with moving
  • dizziness
  • itching skin
  • joint pain
  • muscle aching or cramping
  • muscle pains or stiffness
  • swollen joints

Rare side effects

Managing side effects (general information)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to alefacept: intramuscular powder for injection, intravenous powder for injection.

General adverse events

General side effects including chills (6%), dizziness, headache, and accidental injury have been reported. Postmarketing reports of sepsis and opportunistic infections (viral, fungal, and bacterial) have been received.[Ref]

Chills have been reported to occur predominantly with intravenous administration.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including coronary artery disorder (<1%) and myocardial infarction (<1%) have been the adverse reactions which most commonly resulted in clinical intervention.[Ref]

The total percentage of alefacept-treated patients hospitalized for cardiovascular events was 1.2%.[Ref]

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects including malignancies have been reported. Postmarketing reports of malignancies including skin, solid organ, lymphomas and leukemias have also been received.[Ref]

Twenty five of the 1,357 patients who received alefacept were diagnosed with a total of 35 treatment-emergent malignancies. Six cases were basal cell and seventeen cases were squamous cell cancers of the skin. Three cases of lymphoma have been reported; one was classified as non-Hodgkin's follicle-center cell lymphoma and two were classified as Hodgkin's disease.[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects including dose-dependent reductions in circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts have been reported.[Ref]

Local

Local side effects including injection site pain and injection site inflammation have been reported.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea have been reported. Postmarketing reports of clostridium difficile colitis have been received.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including pharyngitis and increased cough have been reported. Postmarketing reports of pharyngitis have also been received.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including pruritus have been reported. Postmarketing reports of cellulitis have been received.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects including myalgia have been reported.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects including postmarketing reports of asymptomatic transaminase elevation, fatty infiltration of the liver, hepatitis, and severe liver failure have been received.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including postmarketing reports of urinary tract infection have been received.

References

1. (2003) "Product Information. Amevive (alefacept)." Biogen

Further information

Alefacept side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer