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Eculizumab (intravenous route)

Available brands

Bkemv, Epysqli, Soliris

About this medication

Eculizumab injection is used to treat a type of blood disease called paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). This medicine helps reduce red blood cell destruction or breakdown (hemolysis) in patients with PNH. This medicine is also used to treat a serious kidney disorder called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Eculizumab injection is also used to treat a nerve and muscle disease called generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in patients who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AchR) antibody positive. Eculizumab injection is also used to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare disorder that causes inflammation of the nerves of the eyes and spinal cord. It is used in patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive. Eculizumab injection is a monoclonal antibody that works on the immune system. This medicine is available only under a restricted distribution program called Ultomiris® and Soliris® REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) Program. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Before using this medication

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of eculizumab injection to treatatypical hemolytic uremic syndromein children. However, safety and efficacy of eculizumab injection to treat other conditions have not been established in children. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of eculizumab injection in the elderly. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

How to use this medication

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through an IV catheter that is placed into one of your veins. It must be injected slowly, so your IV will need to stay in place for at least 35 minutes in adults and 1 to 4 hours in children. It is very important that you understand the requirements of the Ultomiris® and Soliris® REMS program, and become familiar with the Soliris® medication guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the medication guide if you do not have one.

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Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.

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