Tocilizumab Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• 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 liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have stomach ulcers, 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.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Headache.

• High blood pressure.

• Irritation where the shot is given.

• Severe allergic reactions can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• 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.

• Swelling of legs or belly.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Severe headache.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Not able to eat.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.