Common side effects of KEVZARA include:
- injection site redness
- upper respiratory tract infection
- nasal congestion, sore throat, and
runny nose
These are the most common side effects, but there are other possible side effects. You should always tell your doctor about any changes in the way you feel, even if it’s not one of the listed side effects.
Keep an eye out for infections.
Like most biologics, KEVZARA can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. It might make it easier to get an infection, or make one you already have worse.
Some people get serious infections while taking KEVZARA, including tuberculosis (TB). Infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections.
Don’t start treatment unless your doctor says it’s okay. Your doctor should test you for TB before starting KEVZARA and continue to monitor you for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment. Tell your doctor if you think you have an infection before you start KEVZARA.
Here are some common signs of infection:
- Fever
- Sweating or chills
- Muscle aches
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Weight loss
- Warm, red, or painful skin or sores
- Diarrhea or stomach pain
- Burning when you urinate
- Urinating more often than normal
- Feeling very tired
Treatment may also increase your risk of cancer.
KEVZARA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Tell your doctor if you’ve ever had any type of cancer.
Blood tests are important.
You’re probably used to blood tests to keep track of your moderate to severe RA. With KEVZARA, your doctor should give you blood tests before you start treatment, 4 to 8 weeks after starting treatment, and then every 3 months to check for:
- Less white blood cells and platelets in your body
- An increase in certain liver function tests
Your doctor should also do blood tests 4 to 8 weeks after starting treatment and then every 6 months to check for:
- An increase in blood cholesterol levels
If there’s a change in any of your blood test results once you start treatment, your doctor may temporarily interrupt your treatment and/or decrease your dose if necessary.
Call your doctor right away if you have a fever and stomach pain that won’t go away.
When taken with medicines like aspirin or ibuprofen, corticosteroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate, some people taking KEVZARA get tears or small holes known as perforations in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen, corticosteroids, or methotrexate.
