Uses
Eculizumab injection is used to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH: a type of anemia in which too many red blood cells are broken down in the body, so there are not enough healthy cells to bring oxygen to all parts of the body). Eculizumab injection is also used to treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS; an inherited condition in which small blood clots form in the body and may cause damage to the blood vessels, blood cells, kidneys, and other parts of the body). Eculizumab injection is also used to treat a certain form of myasthenia gravis (MG; a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness). It is also used to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD; an autoimmune disorder of the nervous system that affects eye nerves and the spinal cord) in certain adults. Eculizumab injection is in a group of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by blocking the activity of the part of the immune system that may damage blood cells in people with PNH and that causes clots to form in people with aHUS. It also works by blocking the activity of the part of the immune system that may damage certain parts of the central nervous system in people with NMOSD or by disrupting communication between nerves and muscles in people with MG.
Side Effects Of Eculizumab Injection
Eculizumab injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- runny nose
- pain or swelling in the nose or throat
- cough
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- excessive tiredness
- dizziness
- muscle or joint pain
- back pain
- pain in the arms or legs
- sores in the mouth
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- painful or difficult urination
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment :
- fever
- swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- fast heartbeat
- weakness
- pale skin
- shortness of breath
Eculizumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving eculizumab injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to eculizumab injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in eculizumab injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any other medical condition(s).
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving eculizumab injection, call your doctor.
- if your child will be treated with eculizumab injection, your child should be vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) before beginning treatment. Talk to your child’s doctor about giving your child these vaccinations and any other vaccinations your child needs.
- if you are being treated for PNH, you should know that your condition may cause too many red blood cells to break down after you stop receiving eculizumab injection. Your doctor will monitor you carefully and may order laboratory tests during the first 8 weeks after you finish your treatment. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: confusion, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or any other unusual symptoms.
- if you are being treated for aHUS, you should know that your condition may cause blood clots to form in your body after you stop receiving eculizumab injection. Your doctor will monitor you carefully and may order laboratory tests during the first 12 weeks after you finish your treatment. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech; confusion; sudden weakness or numbness of an arm or leg (especially on one side of the body) or of the face; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; fainting; seizures; chest pain; difficulty breathing; swelling in the arms or legs; or any other unusual symptoms.
Eculizumab Injection Dosage
Eculizumab injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over at least 35 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a medical office. It is usually given to adults once a week for 5 weeks and then once every other week. Children may receive eculizumab injection on a different schedule, depending on their age and body weight. Extra doses of eculizumab injection are also given before or after certain other treatments for PNH , aHUS, MG, or NMOSD.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of eculizumab injection and increase your dose after 4 weeks.
Eculizumab injection may cause serious allergic reactions. Your doctor will watch you carefully while you are receiving eculizumab injection and for 1 hour after you receive the medication. Your doctor may slow or stop your infusion if you have an allergic reaction. If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately: chest pain; feeling faint; rash; hives; swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat; hoarseness; or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to eculizumab injection.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about eculizumab injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
