Rystiggo (rozanolixizumab-noli) is a brand-name subcutaneous infusion prescribed for myasthenia gravis in certain adults. As with other drugs, Rystiggo can cause side effects, such as headache and a raised risk of infections.

Rystiggo 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 Rystiggo in clinical trials:

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Rystiggo include:

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. If you develop a side effect while receiving Rystiggo and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Rystiggo 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 the prescribing information for Rystiggo.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Rystiggo, 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:

  • severe headache, which may cause symptoms such as:
    • nausea
    • dizziness or spinning sensation
    • sensitivity to sound and light
  • serious infections*
  • aseptic meningitis*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Rystiggo 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 Rystiggo, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

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

Is Rystiggo safe?

The FDA considers Rystiggo to be safe for treating myasthenia gravis. The drug can cause some serious side effects, such as aseptic meningitis, but these are rare.

If you’re concerned about the safety of Rystiggo, talk with your doctor. For more information about aseptic meningitis, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Can Rystiggo cause long-term side effects?

No, Rystiggo isn’t known to cause any long-term side effects. But the drug can raise your risk of infections during ongoing treatment.

If you get an infection during Rystiggo treatment, your doctor may pause Rystiggo and prescribe medication to treat the infection. But most infections usually get better within a couple of weeks. For details about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects with Rystiggo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Infections

Rystiggo can raise your risk of getting infections, which may be mild or serious. In clinical trials, mild infections were commonly reported in people receiving Rystiggo, but serious infections were not common.

Infections reported in people receiving Rystiggo include upper respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, and COVID-19. Other infections include urinary tract infections (UTIs), cold sores, and pneumonia.

Symptoms of infection depend on the type of infection but can include:

What you can do

Before receiving Rystiggo, tell your doctor if you have an active infection or infections that keep coming back. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the infection before you begin Rystiggo treatment.

Before starting Rystiggo, you should also talk with your doctor about your vaccination history. If needed, your doctor may recommend getting certain vaccines before you start Rystiggo treatment.

You should not get live vaccines during Rystiggo treatment. Live vaccines contain weakened versions of the bacteria or virus that they’re meant to protect against. Examples include the chickenpox vaccine and the nasal spray flu vaccine. Live vaccines don’t cause infections in people with a fully functioning immune system. But Rystiggo weakens part of your immune system. So getting a live vaccine during Rystiggo treatment could cause the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent.

If you develop symptoms of an infection while receiving Rystiggo, talk with your doctor. If needed, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the infection. They may also recommend delaying your next dose of Rystiggo until after the infection clears up.

Aseptic meningitis

Some people receiving treatment with Rystiggo may develop aseptic meningitis. In clinical trials, this side effect was rare in people receiving Rystiggo.

Aseptic meningitis is inflammation of the meninges (the protective membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord) that’s not caused by a bacterial infection. Aseptic meningitis is usually caused by a viral infection, which isn’t as serious as bacterial meningitis. Most people with viral meningitis get better within 7 to 10 days.

Symptoms of aseptic meningitis can include:

What you can do

If you have symptoms of aseptic meningitis during Rystiggo treatment, see your doctor right away. They’ll investigate the cause of your symptoms and determine if you need treatment in a hospital. They’ll also likely stop your Rystiggo treatment. You can talk with your doctor about other myasthenia gravis treatment options that may be better choices for you.

Before receiving Rystiggo, discuss your health history with your doctor. Rystiggo 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:

  • active infection or infections that keep coming back
  • recent or upcoming vaccinations
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

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.