Can Cimzia cause skin problems?

Cimzia (certolizumab) can cause skin problems such as rash in some patients. Most of the time, the rashes are mild and can be managed at home. Rarely, Cimzia can cause life-threatening skin problems.

Skin problems from Cimzia in clinical studies

In clinical studies, 9% of patients taking Cimzia reported rash as a side effect. However, only 0.3% of patients who developed a rash stopped taking the medication because of it.

Rarely, a rash can be a sign of a more serious allergic reaction. Allergic reactions that have occurred during studies of Cimzia include angioedema (severe swelling) and allergic dermatitis. Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to latex, since Cimzia prefilled syringes contain natural rubber. Get medical help right away if you experience swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Some patients taking Cimzia developed an immune reaction called lupus-like syndrome during studies. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice a rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens with sun exposure. In studies of patients taking Cimzia for Crohn’s disease, 1 in 1,564 developed a lupus-like syndrome. It also occurred in 4 out of 2,367 patients taking it for rheumatoid arthritis.

Skin problems reported after Cimzia came on the market

In addition to the skin problems identified during clinical studies, there have been postmarketing reports of severe skin reactions in people taking TNF blockers like Cimzia. These reports are voluntary, and it is not possible to establish a definite connection to Cimzia. Skin reactions reported include:

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Erythema multiforme
• New or worsening psoriasis
• Lichenoid skin reaction

There is also a case report of a patient who developed a paradoxical skin reaction while taking Cimzia. These are skin reactions that are opposite of what you would expect with treatment. The patient taking Cimzia for ankylosing spondylitis developed psoriasis symptoms and other skin lesions in different places on the body.

If you notice any abnormal skin changes while taking Cimzia, let your healthcare provider know as soon as possible. They can evaluate you to make sure you are not having side effects from the medication.

This is not all the information you need to know about Cimzia (certolizumab) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full Cimzia product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.