Brineura Side Effects

Generic name: cerliponase alfa

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 1, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Brineura Side Effects associated with cerliponase alfa. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Brineura.

Applies to cerliponase alfa: intracerebroventricular solution.

Serious side effects of Brineura

Along with its needed effects, cerliponase alfa (the active ingredient contained in Brineura) 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 cerliponase alfa:

More common side effects

• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• fever
• headache
• hives, itching, skin rash
• hoarseness
• itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the insertion site
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• redness of the skin
• seizures
• slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• tightness in the chest
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing
• unusual bruising
• unusual tiredness
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• confusion
• drowsiness
• general feeling of illness
• nausea
• severe headache
• stiff neck or back

Other side effects of Brineura

Some side effects of cerliponase alfa 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

• collection of blood under the skin
• deep, dark purple bruise
• irritability
• jitteriness
• sweating

For healthcare professionals

Applies to cerliponase alfa: injectable kit.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were pyrexia, ECG abnormalities, decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, vomiting, seizures, hypersensitivity, increased CSF protein, hematoma, headache, irritability, pleocytosis, device-related infection, bradycardia, feeling jittery, and hypotension.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Very common (10% or more): Hypersensitivity reactions (58%)

Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 14 of 24 patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions occurring in 3 patients. No patients discontinued therapy due to hypersensitivity. The most common manifestations included pyrexia with vomiting, pleocytosis, or irritability, which are inconsistent with classic immune mediated hypersensitivity. These reactions were observed during or within 24 hours after the infusion and did not interfere with treatment. Symptoms resolved over time or with administration of antipyretics, antihistamines and/or glucocorticosteroids.

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Seizure (50%), headache (17%), pleocytosis (17%)
• Postmarketing reports: Meningitis^[Ref]

Seizures occurred in 12 of 24 patients; seizure types included atonic, generalized tonic-clonic, focal, and absence seizure. Seizures were managed per standard of care and did not result in treatment discontinuation.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): ECG abnormalities (71%), hematoma (21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia, hypotension^[Ref]

ECG abnormalities included non-specific repolarization abnormality, notched QRS, ST segment elevation, biphasic T wave abnormality, supraventricular asystole, bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, and intraventricular conduction delay.

Hematoma reactions presented as hematoma, post-procedural hematoma, traumatic hematoma, and subdural hematoma, none of which required treatment and did not interfere with infusion.

Hypotension was reported in 2 patients; these patients did not require treatment alterations as reactions resolved spontaneously or after IV fluids.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Device-related complication (50%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Device-related infection^[Ref]

Device-related adverse reactions occurred in 50% of symptomatic pediatric patients during clinical studies and included infection (e.g., Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis), deliver system-related complications, and pleocytosis. Complications of the non-implanted delivery system components occurred in 9 of these patients (38%). Four patients (16%) had device-related adverse reactions that required medical intervention including 2 patients (8%) with intraventricular access device-related central nervous system infections and 1 patient (4%) each with leakage of the intraventricular access device and pleocytosis.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Vomiting (63%)^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (71%), CSF protein decreased (71%), CSF protein increased (21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Feeling jittery^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Antidrug antibodies developed (up to 79%), hypersensitivity (46%)^[Ref]

Antidrug antibodies (ADAs) were detected in both serum and CSF in 79% and 33%, respectively, of patients treated with this drug for up to 161 weeks. Patients who experienced hypersensitivity reactions were tested for drug-specific IgE and were found to be negative, including 3 patients who reported grade 3 (severe) hypersensitivity reactions. No association has been found between serum CSF ADA titers and incidence/severity of hypersensitivity.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Irritability (17%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Hypoxia^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• What condition is Brineura used to treat?

Further information

Brineura 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.

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