Understand and Manage Side Effects

Find out what works for you

Side effects are problems that come up when cancer treatment affects healthy tissues or organs in the body. They can be very uncomfortable, but you can also choose to look at side effects as a sign that the medicine is working against the melanoma.

The most common side effects of treatment with INTRON® A are:

  • Flu-like symptoms (aches, fevers, and chills)
  • Fatigue (tiredness) and low energy levels
  • Mood changes (such as depression, suicidal thoughts, or anger)
  • Discomfort related to food and digestion (such as nausea, changes in the taste or smell of food, diarrhea, lack of appetite)

Every person's experience is different, but many people find that side effects fade or become less troublesome over time.

It's important to remember that your health care team has many ways to help you cope with side effects. There are also ways you can help yourself cope with side effects.

For example, side effects are often managed by:

  • Taking your injection right before bedtime, so you sleep during the strongest part of your body's reaction to the drug
  • Drinking lots of liquids, especially on the days you have a dose of INTRON® A
  • Medicines to relieve pain or nausea
  • Foods that can help stop diarrhea
  • Ways to avoid unpleasant cooking smells and tastes
  • Gentle exercise (such as walking or swimming) to give you more energy
  • Techniques such as acupuncture, deep relaxation, yoga, or biofeedback training

Learn all you can about managing side effects.

Always talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects, especially if you feel bothered by a side effect so much that it is:

  • affecting your overall mood and outlook

OR

  • leading you to think about stopping treatment.

Fatigue
A condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function due to lack of energy. Fatigue may be acute or chronic.
Injection
Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."
Melanoma
A highly malignant type of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
Organ
A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.
Tissue
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.