Interferon Beta-1a (Intramuscular Route, Subcutaneous Route)

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Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

• Black, tarry stools
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Shortness of breath
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Swollen glands
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Clumsiness or unsteadiness
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Decreased hearing
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Feeling of warmth
• Hives or itching
• Mood changes, especially with thoughts of suicide
• Muscle spasms
• Pain or discharge from the vagina
• Pelvic discomfort, aching, or heaviness
• Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Skin lesions
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Speech problems
• Swelling of the face, lips, or eyelids
• Troubled breathing
• Wheezing

• Earache
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Loss of appetite
• Painful blisters on trunk of body
• Painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals

• Bleeding gums
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Bloody nose
• Chest discomfort
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Dark urine
• Decreased urine output
• Depressed mood
• Dilated neck veins
• Dry skin and hair
• Extreme fatigue
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• Feeling cold
• General tiredness and weakness
• Hair loss
• Heavier menstrual periods
• High fever
• Irregular breathing
• Light-colored stools
• Loss of bladder control
• Mental depression
• Mood or other mental changes
• Muscle cramps and stiffness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Nervousness
• Pale skin
• Persistent loss of appetite
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids, or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Sensitivity to heat
• Skin rash
• Slowed heartbeat
• Sudden loss of consciousness
• Sweating
• Swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• Swelling of the mouth or throat
• Tightness in the chest
• Tightness in the throat
• Upper right abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness
• Weight gain or loss
• Yellow eyes and skin

Some side effects 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:

• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Sour stomach

• Hair loss
• Trouble with sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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