Guselkumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Apr 17, 2025.

Applies to guselkumab: subcutaneous solution.

Serious side effects of guselkumab

Along with its needed effects, guselkumab 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 guselkumab:

More common side effects

• body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• burning or stinging of the skin
• diarrhea
• itching in the genital or other skin areas
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
• scaling
• stomach pain

Rare side effects

• headache, severe and throbbing
• hives or welts, itching, skin rash
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue

Other side effects of guselkumab

Some side effects of guselkumab 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:

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
• difficulty in moving
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain in the joints

Rare side effects

• redness of the skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to guselkumab: intravenous solution, subcutaneous solution.

Immunologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Infections (23%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tinea infections, herpes simplex infections, immunogenicity^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions (e.g., injection site erythema, bruising, hematoma, hemorrhage, swelling, edema, pruritus, pain, discoloration, induration, inflammation, urticaria)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia^[Ref]

Hepatic

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

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Respiratory tract infection (e.g., nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, viral upper respiratory tract infection) (14%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, gastroenteritis (including viral gastroenteritis)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria, rash^[Ref]

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Further information

Guselkumab 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