Pronunciation:

e-kue-LIZ-oo-mab

Brand Names:

• Soliris

Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Warnings:

• Eculizumab increases the risk of meningococcal infections:
  • Vaccinate patients with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of eculizumab; revaccinate according to current medical guidelines for vaccine use
  • Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections, evaluate immediately if infection is suspected, and treat with antibiotics if necessary .

Eculizumab increases the risk of meningococcal infections. Vaccinate patients with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of eculizumab and revaccinate according to current medical guidelines for vaccine use. Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections, evaluate immediately if infection is suspected, and treat with antibiotics if necessary .

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Blood Modifier Agent

Pharmacologic—

Monoclonal Antibody

Uses of This Medicine:

Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody. It 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 available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using This Medicine:

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:

Allergies—

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.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of eculizumab in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of eculizumab in the elderly .

Pregnancy—

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast-feeding—

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.

Other medicines—

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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other interactions—

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.

Other medical problems—

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:

• Meningococcal infection—Should not be given to patients with this condition .

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins .

This medicine should come with a 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 .

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .

Eculizumab may increase your chance of having serious infections, including a meningococcal infection. Avoid people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor right away if you develop headaches, nausea, vomiting, fever, a stiff neck or back, a rash, confusion, muscle aches, or if your eyes have become sensitive to light. Make sure you have received a vaccine to prevent meningococcus infections at least two weeks before you receive this medicine. If you have already received the meningococcal vaccine in the past, your doctor will decide if you need another dose .

Ask your doctor for a Patient Safety Card. This card will list the symptoms of meningococcus infections and what to do if you have them. Carry the card with you at all times. You will need to show the card to any doctor who treats you .

When this medicine is stopped you could have red blood cell destruction or breakdown (hemolysis). Your doctor will need to monitor you closely for at least eight weeks after you stop using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments .

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Back pain

burning or stinging of skin

cough

difficulty in moving

fever

headache

joint pain

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pains or stiffness

nausea

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals

shortness of breath or troubled breathing

sneezing

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

swollen joints

tightness of chest or wheezing

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Chills

diarrhea

general feeling of discomfort or illness

loss of appetite

shivering

sweating

trouble sleeping

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

pain in the arms or legs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.