(EF a LIZ oo mab) Brand: Raptiva
• Efalizumab increases the risk of serious infections, including a viral infection of the brain that can lead to disability or death. This risk is higher if you have a weak immune system or are receiving determined medicines. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as change in your mental state, problems with speech or walking, or decreased vision. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.
• During your efalizumab treatment, it is extremely significant that your doctor check you each 3 to 6 months to create certain you are not developing any signs of serious infection. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• You must also call your doctor right away if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, light bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, or unusual weakness.
• Till using efalizumab, speak your doctor about all another medications you are using, especially another psoriasis medications or phototherapy, or drugs that weaken your immune system such as cancer medication, steroids, and medicines to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.
• Efalizumab is a man-made form of a protein similar to human antibodies. Efalizumab is made to target and destroy only determined cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage.
• Efalizumab is used to treat plaque psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin) in adults.
• Efalizumab may also be used for another purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to efalizumab.
• Efalizumab increases the risk of a serious infections, including a viral infection of the brain that can lead to disability or death. This risk is higher if you have a weak immune system or are receiving determined medicines.
• If you have determined conditions, you may need a doze adjustment or particular trials to safely use this medicine. Till using efalizumab, speak your doctor if you have:
· any active or chronic infection;
· arthritis; or
· a weak immune system (caused by malady or by using determined medicines).
• You must be current on all immunizations till you start using efalizumab.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medicine is deleterious to an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you become pregnant while using efalizumab, or within 6 weeks after you stop using the medication.
• Your name may need to be listed on a pregnancy registry if you become pregnant while using this medicine. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to estimate whether efalizumab had any effect on the baby.
• It is not known whether efalizumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not receive this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Treatment with efalizumab may magnify your risk of developing determined types of cancer. Conversation with your doctor about your individual risk.
• Use this medicine exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions for safety and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Efalizumab is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or another healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medication at house. Do not self-inject this medication if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
• Efalizumab is generally given once for week. Try to use the medication on the same day every week.
• Use a various seat on your stomach, thigh, buttocks, or upper hand every time you give yourself an injection. Your care provider will show you the places on your body where you can safely inject the medicine. Do not inject into the same seat two times in a row.
• Efalizumab is a powder medication that should be mixed with a liquid (diluent) till using it. If you are using the injections at house, be certain you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.
• Do not shake the mixed medication. Vigorous shaking can reason the mixture to foam. Do not draw your efalizumab doze into a syringe before you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medicine if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
• Every single-use vial (bottle) of this medication is for one use only. Throw away the vial after one use, even if there is still some medication left in it after injecting your dose.
• Use every disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Hold this container out of the reach of children and pets.
• A day or two after using your first doze of efalizumab, you may have nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and/or a headache. Call your doctor if these effects become severe.
• Efalizumab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections, making it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being near others who are ill.
• During your efalizumab treatment, it is extremely significant that your doctor check you each 3 to 6 months to create certain you are not developing any signs of serious infection. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using efalizumab. Your psoriasis may get worse after you stop using efalizumab for any cause. Your doctor may want to hold checking to create certain your psoriasis does not get worse. Do not miss any follow-up visits.
• Store efalizumab in its original carton in the refrigerator, protected from easy. Do not freeze.
• If you have mixed your medication and can't use it right away, hold the mixture at room temperature and use it within 8 hours. Check to create certain the mixture is still clear or pale yellow and does not contain any particles.
• Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a doze of efalizumab.
• Search abnormal medical attention if you think you have received too many of this medicine.
• Overdose may reason severe vomiting.
• Avoid being around people who have colds, the flu, or another contagious illnesses.
• Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are using efalizumab, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, chickenpox (varicella), and nasal flu vaccine.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
· signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, light bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, or mouth sores;
· signs of a skin infection, such as redness, tenderness, and swelling;
· pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion or weakness;
· change in your mental state, problems with speech or walking, decreased vision (these symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly);
· cough with yellow or green mucus, stabbing chest pain or tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing;
· neck stiffness, heighten sensitivity to easy, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions);
· numbness or tingly feeling in your foots and spreading upward, muscle weakness in your person; or
· problems with vision, speech, swallowing, or bladder and bowel functions.
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· headache, muscle pain, and nausea or vomiting (especially after the first dose);
· back pain;
· joint pain, stiffness, or swelling; or
· swelling in your hands or feet.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• Speak your doctor about all another medications you are using, especially:
· another psoriasis medications or phototherapy;
· drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medication or steroids);
· cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
· sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
· basiliximab (Simulect), efalizumab (Raptiva), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);
· mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept); or
· azathioprine (Imuran), leflunomide (Arava), etanercept (Enbrel).
• This list is not complete and there may be another drugs that can interact with efalizumab. Speak your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal commodity, and drugs predesigned by another doctors. Do not start using a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about efalizumab.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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