Cimerli side effects: What you should know

More common side effects of Cimerli

Cimerli can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Cimerli in clinical trials:

• eye pain
• eye floaters (moving spots or lines in your vision)
• bleeding in the eye (for details, see the “Side effect specifics” section)

Mild side effects of Cimerli

Mild side effects can occur with Cimerli use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Cimerli’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Cimerli include:

• eye pain
• eye floaters
• common cold symptoms
• dry eye
• eye irritation or itching
• feeling like something is in your eye
• blurred vision
• increase in tear production
• eye redness
• bleeding in the eye (for details, see the “Side effect specifics” section)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Cimerli and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Serious side effects of Cimerli

Although it’s rare, Cimerli may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Cimerli’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Cimerli, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• increased risk of a blood clot that can lead to a stroke or heart attack, which may include symptoms such as:
  • chest pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, or back
  • sudden headache
  • dizziness or problems with coordination
  • sweating or feeling clammy
  • shortness of breath
• increased risk of developing cataracts, which may include symptoms such as:
  • seeing double
  • colors appearing faded or less vibrant
  • sensitivity to light and glare
  • cloudy vision
• increased pressure in the eye, which typically doesn’t cause any symptoms but can be monitored during treatment
• retinal detachment*
• endophthalmitis*

_{* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.}

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Cimerli can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Cimerli, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

FAQ about the side effects of Cimerli

Cimerli may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do the side effects of Cimerli compare with those seen with Lucentis, Eylea, or Avastin?

Cimerli, Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin all contain active ingredients that belong to the class of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGFs). These medications can cause similar side effects.

The reported side effects of Cimerli, Lucentis, and Eylea are very similar. However, it is difficult to compare the side effects of Avastin to those seen with Cimerli. This is because Avastin is used off-label to treat certain eye conditions. (With off-label use, a doctor prescribes a drug for a use that hasn’t been approved by the FDA.) The side effects of Avastin when used for eye conditions have not been reviewed by the FDA. (Avastin is approved to treat certain types of cancer.)

Mild side effects of Cimerli, Lucentis, and Eylea may include:

• bleeding in the eye (for details, see the “Side effect specifics” section)
• eye pain, irritation, or itching
• eye floaters
• feeling like something is in your eye

Serious side effects of Cimerli, Lucentis, and Eylea may include:

• retinal detachment
• eye infection
• increased risk of a blood clot that can lead to a stroke or heart attack

If you have questions about how the side effects of Cimerli, Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin compare, talk with your doctor.

Does Cimerli cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible, although long-term side effects are rare. These are side effects that can start at any time during treatment with Cimerli or those that don’t go away, even after treatment is stopped.

Side effects that may occur at any time or require long-term treatment include:

• blood clots that can lead to a stroke or heart attack
• retinal detachment
• cataracts

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about possible long-term side effects from Cimerli.

Side effect specifics

Learn more about some of the side effects that Cimerli may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Cimerli.

Bleeding in the eye

Bleeding in the eye, also known as conjunctival hemorrhage, is the most common side effect reported in clinical trials of Cimerli. This is a broken blood vessel under the clear tissue covering the whites of your eyes. It is typically painless and appears as a bright red spot on the white of your eye.

What you can do

Your eye will heal on its own within a week or two. During this time, you may notice that the spot changes color and becomes green or yellow as it heals, much like a bruise.

Your doctor typically won’t prescribe treatment for a conjunctival hemorrhage. But if it doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks, talk with your doctor.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment was reported in clinical studies of Cimerli. This is a rare but serious side effect of the drug. A detached retina is not usually painful, but you may experience symptoms including:

• seeing more floaters than usual
• sudden flashes of light in your peripheral vision
• decreased vision
• the appearance of shadows in your vision

Certain factors can increase the risk of retinal detachment. These include poorly managed diabetes, severe nearsightedness, having a previous retinal detachment in either eye, or having had previous eye surgery.

What you can do

If you notice symptoms of retinal detachment, it’s important to get medical help as soon as possible to prevent further vision loss. Your eye doctor will likely do an eye exam to determine if you have a retinal detachment. They can then recommend a treatment to best treat your condition.

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis (an eye infection) is possible after receiving a dose of Cimerli. This infection occurs in the tissues inside the eyeball. While this side effect wasn’t common, it was reported in some people during Cimerli’s clinical studies. If not properly treated, it can damage the eye, leading to permanent vision loss or blindness.

Symptoms of endophthalmitis may include:

• redness and swelling in the eye
• eye pain
• blurred or cloudy vision
• white or yellow discharge from the eye
• sensitivity to bright lights

What you can do

If you suspect you have an eye infection or experience redness and pain in your eye, white or yellow discharge, or a change in vision, contact your eye doctor right away. They will do an eye exam to determine the best treatment for your infection.

Precautions for Cimerli

Before taking Cimerli, discuss your health history with your doctor. Cimerli may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• an active infection in or around the eye
• history of eye problems, such as retinal detachment
• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.