Antirheumatic, Disease Modifying; Gastrointestinal Agent, Miscellaneous; Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blocking Agent
• Tuberculosis has been seen in patients started on this medicine. These patients were exposed to tuberculosis in the past, but never actually developed the infection. You should be tested to see if you have been exposed to tuberculosis before starting this medicine.
• This medicine may increase your risk of developing lymphoma.
• Serious infections have occurred in patients who take these types of medicines. Talk with healthcare provider.
• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• Please read the medication guide.
• If you have an allergy to certolizumab pegol or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• Certolizumab pegol is an arthritis-changing medicine. It reduces inflammation and helps reduce symptoms and protect joints from further harm.
• It decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.
• It reduces gastrointestinal inflammation and helps reduce symptoms.
• This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot.
• Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the shot at home.
• Before injection, bring to room temperature.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Move site where you give the shot with each shot.
• Throw syringe away after single use. Do not reuse.
• Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• You will need a tuberculosis test before starting this medicine.
• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
Created: 2008-04-30 11:15:35.0
Modified: 2010-08-19 11:19:26.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• This medicine is used to treat Crohn's disease.
• This medicine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
• Hepatitis B testing may be suggested. Unrecognized hepatitis B infection may worsen during treatment.
• Long-term use may increase your risk of cancer.
• Serious infections have been reported with use of this medicine. If you have any infection, are taking antibiotics now or in the recent past, or have many infections, talk with healthcare provider.
• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.
• If you have cancer, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. You may be more likely to develop infections.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have multiple sclerosis or other nerve disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Headache.
• Runny nose.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Severe dizziness.
• Severe headache.
• Sudden change in vision.
• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.
• Severe swelling or pain of hands or feet.
• Severe joint pain.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
