Bimekizumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 18, 2023.

Applies to bimekizumab: subcutaneous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that the doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Also tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, including feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis skin test.

Your body's ability to fight infection may be reduced while you are being treated with bimekizumab-bkzx. It is very important that you call your doctor at the first signs of any infection. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: fever, chills, cough or hoarseness, flu-like symptoms, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Inflammatory bowel disease may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have rectal bleeding, severe stomach pain, or severe diarrhea while using this medicine.

While you are being treated with bimekizumab-bkzx, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Bimekizumab-bkzx may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of bimekizumab

Along with its needed effects, bimekizumab 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 while taking bimekizumab:

Other side effects of bimekizumab

Some side effects of bimekizumab 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bimekizumab: subcutaneous injection, subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

Upper respiratory infections were the most frequently reported adverse reactions, including nasopharyngitis and oral candidiasis.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Acne, folliculitis, rash, tinea infections, dermatitis, eczema, herpes simplex
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dermatitis contact, dyshidrotic eczema, intertrigo^[Ref]

Tinea Infections included tinea pedis, fungal skin infection, tinea versicolor, tinea cruris, tinea infection, body tinea, and onychomycosis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Oral candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, gastroenteritis, oral herpes
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Inflammatory bowel disease, mucosal, and cutaneous candidiasis^[Ref]

Oral candidiasis included oropharyngeal candidiasis, oral fungal infection, fungal pharyngitis, and fungal oropharyngitis.

Gastroenteritis included enterovirus infection, gastroenteritis bacterial, and gastroenteritis viral.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Neutropenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated liver enzymes^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anti-drug antibodies (up to 45%)^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions^[Ref]

Injection site reactions included injection site erythema, injection site edema, injection site pain, injection site bruising, and injection site swelling.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Otitis externa, otitis media, other candida infections^[Ref]

Other candida infections included vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal mycotic infection, skin candida, and genital candidiasis.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 15%)^[Ref]

Upper respiratory tract infections included nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, viral upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis streptococcal, pharyngitis bacterial, viral rhinitis, influenza, and peritonsillar abscess.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Passive suicidal ideation, completed suicide, attempted suicide^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Bimekizumab 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