Mircera Side Effects

Generic name: epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 22, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Mircera Side Effects associated with epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Mircera.

Applies to epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol: injection solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress regularly while you or your child are using this medicine. Blood tests are needed to check for unwanted effects. You may also need to monitor your blood pressure at home. If you notice any changes to your normal blood pressure, call your doctor right away.

This medicine may increase your risk of having heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, and blood clotting problems. Check with your doctor right away if you start having dizziness, fainting spells, severe tiredness, chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.

This medicine may also increase your risk of having serious heart and blood vessel problems such as a heart attack, congestive heart failure, or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you start having dizziness, fainting spells, severe tiredness, chest pain, trouble with breathing, sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.

When used in patients with certain types of cancer (eg, breast, cervix, lymphoid, lung, head, or neck cancer), this medicine has shortened survival time and worsened the tumor or cancer in some patients. If you are concerned about this, talk with your doctor.

This medicine may cause convulsions (seizures), especially during the first few months of treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain after you receive the medicine.

Serious skin reactions (eg, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth of on the lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery. Your doctor may want you to take a blood thinner (eg, warfarin) to prevent blood clots during or after surgery.

Serious side effects of Mircera

Along with its needed effects, epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (the active ingredient contained in Mircera) 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 epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol:

Other side effects of Mircera

Some side effects of epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol 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 epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol: injectable solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were hypertension, diarrhea, and nasopharyngitis.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, procedural hypotension, arteriovenous fistula thrombosis, arteriovenous fistula site complication, serious hemorrhagic adverse reactions (all types), thrombosis in device
• Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis, thrombotic vascular event^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, constipation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, abdominal pain^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Severe anemia^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, bronchitis, device related infection, pharyngitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Cough^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia
• Frequency not reported: Thrombosis of hemodialysis vascular access, death, death adjudicated as cancer^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Stroke, hypertensive encephalopathy, seizures^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Serious allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, tachycardia, pruritus, skin rash, urticaria)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms, back pain, pain in extremity^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Fluid overload, hyperkalemia^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported: Tumor progression, decreased locoregional control^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Severe cutaneous reactions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Mircera 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