Skip to main content

Cimzia Side Effects

Generic name: certolizumab

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Nov 24, 2023.

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

Applies to certolizumab: subcutaneous powder for solution, subcutaneous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Subcutaneous route (powder for solution; solution)

Serious Infections-Patients treated with certolizumab pegol are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death.

Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.Certolizumab pegol should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.Reported infections include:Active tuberculosis, including reactivation of latent tuberculosis.

Patients with tuberculosis have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease.

Patients should be tested for latent tuberculosis before certolizumab pegol use and during therapy.

Treatment for latent infection should be initiated prior to certolizumab pegol use.Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis.

Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized disease.

Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection.

Empiric anti-fungal therapy should be considered in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness.Bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.The risks and benefits of treatment with certolizumab pegol should be carefully considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with certolizumab pegol, including the possible development of tuberculosis in patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection prior to initiating therapy.Malignancy-Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers, of which certolizumab pegol is a member. certolizumab pegol is not indicated for use in pediatric patients.

Precautions

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

Certolizumab can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

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.

While you are being treated with certolizumab (the active ingredient contained in Cimzia) and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Certolizumab 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.

Check with your doctor right away if you have symptoms of liver problems, such as yellow skin or eyes, dark brown-colored urine, right-sided stomach pain, fever, or severe tiredness.

This medicine may cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after this medicine is used. A small number of people (including children and teenagers) who have used this type of medicine have developed certain types of cancer (eg, lymphoma, leukemia, skin cancer). Some patients developed a rare type of cancer called lymphoma. Talk with your doctor if you have unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin, or unexplained weight loss. Also, check with your doctor right away if your skin has red, scaly patches, or raised bumps that are filled with pus.

Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms: chest pain, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, or weight gain. These may be symptoms of a heart condition called congestive heart failure.

Certolizumab may cause serious allergic reactions. Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness, swelling of the face, throat, legs, or feet, or troubled breathing after you use the medicine.

Some people using this medicine developed lupus-like symptoms. Make sure your doctor knows if you start having chest pain, joint pain, or a rash on your cheeks or arms that is sensitive to the sun.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

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 Cimzia

Along with its needed effects, certolizumab 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 certolizumab:

More common side effects

  • bladder pain
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • body aches or pain
  • chills
  • cough
  • difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • difficulty with breathing
  • ear congestion
  • fever
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • headache
  • hoarseness
  • loss of voice
  • lower back or side pain
  • nasal congestion
  • runny nose
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

  • bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
  • bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • chest pain
  • frequent urination
  • pain in the arms, ankles, knees, or legs
  • painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
  • rapid weight gain
  • stomach pain
  • tingling of the hands or feet
  • tightness in the chest
  • unusual weight gain or loss

Rare side effects

  • blurred vision
  • confusion
  • coughing or spitting up blood
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • fainting
  • feeling of warmth
  • general feeling of discomfort, illness, or weakness
  • itching, skin rash
  • joint pain or swelling
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
  • loss of appetite
  • muscle aches
  • nausea
  • night sweats
  • redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  • sudden high fever or low-grade fever for months
  • sweating
  • swelling of the lymph glands
  • weakness

Incidence not known

  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • red, irritated eyes
  • red, scaling, or crusted skin
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

Other side effects of Cimzia

Some side effects of certolizumab 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

  • difficulty with moving
  • muscle pain or stiffness

Less common side effects

  • vomiting

For healthcare professionals

Applies to certolizumab: subcutaneous kit.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were upper respiratory infection (18%), urinary tract infection (18%), and rash (9%)[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Respiratory

Dermatologic

Genitourinary

Hematologic

Hepatic

Hypersensitivity

Ocular

Oncologic

Psychiatric

Renal

Musculoskeletal

Gastrointestinal

Nervous system

Other

Local

Metabolic

Endocrine

Immunologic

See also:

References

1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

3. (2008) "Product Information. Cimzia (certolizumab)." UCB Pharma Inc

4. (2008) "Certolizumab (Cimzia) for Crohn's disease." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 50, p. 81-2

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Cimzia 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.