About FUZEON
What Are The Possible Side Effects?
As with all anti-HIV drugs, there are side effects that can occur while taking FUZEON. Click on the links below to read more about side effects:
Injection site reactions
FUZEON causes injection site reactions (ISRs). Almost all people get ISRs with FUZEON. Reactions are usually mild to moderate but occasionally may be severe. Reactions on the skin where FUZEON is injected can include:
- itching
- swelling
- redness
- pain or tenderness
- hardened skin
- bumps
These reactions usually happen within the first week of FUZEON treatment and can happen again as you keep using FUZEON. A reaction at one skin injection site usually lasts for less than seven days. Injection site reactions may be worse when injections are given again in the same place on the body, or when the injection is given deeper than it should be (for example, into the muscle). If you are worried about the reaction you are having, call your healthcare provider to help you decide if you need medical care.
If the ISR you are having is severe, call your healthcare provider right away. If you have an ISR, your healthcare provider can share with you ways to help the symptoms. An injection site can get infected. It is important to follow the FUZEON Injection Instructions that come with your medication to lower your chances of getting an ISR. Call your healthcare provider right away if there are signs of infection at the injection site such as oozing, increasing heat, swelling, redness or pain.
Pneumonia
Patients with HIV get bacterial pneumonia more often than patients without HIV. Patients taking FUZEON with other HIV medicines may get bacterial pneumonia more often than patients not receiving FUZEON. It is unclear if this is related to the use of FUZEON. You should contact your healthcare provider right away if you have a cough, fever or trouble breathing. Patients are more likely to get bacterial pneumonia if they have a low number of CD4 cells, have a high viral load, use intravenous (injected into the vein) drugs, smoke or have had lung disease in the past. It is unclear if pneumonia is related to FUZEON.
Allergic reactions
FUZEON can cause serious allergic reactions. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction with FUZEON can include:
- trouble breathing
- fever with vomiting and a skin rash
- blood in your urine
- swelling of your feet
Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these symptoms.
Other side effects
The following side effects were seen more often in patients using FUZEON with their other anti-HIV medicines than in patients not using FUZEON with their other anti-HIV medicines:
- pain and numbness in feet or legs
- loss of sleep
- depression
- decreased appetite
- sinus problems
- enlarged lymph nodes
- weight decrease
- weakness or loss of strength
- muscle pain
- constipation
- pancreas problems
These are not all the side effects of FUZEON.
FUZEON is still being studied in children. The safety of FUZEON in children under 6 years of age is not known. The side effects of FUZEON for HIV-positive children aged 6 through 16 years were similar to those seen in adult patients.
If you have questions about side effects, ask your healthcare provider. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to do and may be able to help you with these side effects.
FUZEON is not a cure for HIV infection or AIDS. FUZEON does not prevent the transmission of HIV. People taking FUZEON may still get opportunistic infections or other conditions that can happen with HIV infection. For these reasons it is very important that you remain under the care of your healthcare provider while taking FUZEON.
Learn more about HIV Therapy.
View the Patient Product Information.
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