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Amevive

The generic name: is alefacept. Ah-LEH-fa-cept]
Drug class: immunosuppressants that are selective

What is Amevive?

Amevive is an amino acid that blocks specific functions of the immune system, which can be involved in the development of psoriasis.Amevive can be used to treat plaque psoriasis (raised silvery flaking on the skin) in adults.Amevive can also be employed for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.

Warnings

It is not recommended to make use of Amevive if you have an allergy to alefacept or are suffering from HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).Before you take Amevive, consult your doctor if you are suffering from an active or ongoing liver disease, an infection, a history of cancer, or when you are receiving treatments that lighten or weaken your immune system.Don't receive the "live" vaccine while using Amevive. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccines.Amevive is a medication that reduces blood cell count, which helps your body fight off infections. Your blood might require frequent testing. Avoid contact with those who are sick or suffering from infections. Inform your doctor immediately when you begin to show symptoms of an infection.Utilising Amevive could increase the risk of developing certain kinds of cancer. Discuss with your physician the risk you face.Infections that are fatal and often deadly can occur when you are treated with Amevive. Contact your physician immediately when you notice symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills, or flu symptoms; mouth sores; warmth or swelling and redness on the skin; oozing or stabbing chest pains; feeling breathless; or coughing up green or yellow mucus.

Prior to use this drug

It is not recommended to make use of Amevive in the event that you are allergic to alefacept or suffering from HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

To ensure that you are able to safely take Amevive, inform your physician if you suffer from any medical conditions that are not listed, including:

  • An active or chronic illness;
  • A history of cancer
  • Liver disease;
  • If you're being treated with phototherapy (light therapy),
  • If you take medications that weaken your body's immune system (such as cancer medicines or steroids) and medicines to avoid rejection of organ transplants,

The use of Amevive can increase the risk of developing certain kinds of cancer. Consult your physician regarding your particular risk.FDA classification for pregnancy B: Amevive is not expected to harm the unborn baby. But inform your doctor in the event that you develop a pregnancy during treatment at least 8 weeks following the last time you took Amevive.It isn't known if alefacept is absorbed into breast milk or could cause harm to a nursing infant. Do not breastfeed if you are taking Amevive.

How to take Amevive?

Utilize Amevive strictly as directed by your physician. Don't use it in greater than smaller quantities or for a longer period than is recommended. Follow the instructions on the prescription label.Amevive is usually administered individually over the course of twelve weeks. Follow the doctor's instructions for dosage extremely carefully.Amevive is injected into the muscle. You can be shown how to administer injections at home. Don't inject yourself with this medication when you don't comprehend how to administer the injection. Also, be sure to dispose of needles that are used and syringes.

Amevive is a drug in a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) prior to use. If you're taking injectables yourself, make certain you are aware of how to mix and store the medication.Don't shake or stir the mixture of medicine, as it could cause foam. Make your dose in a syringe when you are able to inject yourself. Be sure not to take the medication if it has changed colour or contains particles. Consult your pharmacist about new medications.After mixing Amevive and the diluent, place it in the refrigerator. Use it within four hours. Don't freeze it.Your physician will guide you to the most appropriate spots on your body where you can administer your injection (shot). Make sure to inject each shot at least one inch from the area where the previous shot was administered. Don't inject in the same area twice in one row. Don't inject Amevive into skin that is sensitive, bruised, red, or hard (including an active lesion of psoriasis).

Make use of a disposable needle only once. Recycle needles used for disposal in a container that is puncture-proof (ask your pharmacist for one and how you can get rid of it). Keep the container away from pets and kids.Every single-use bottle (bottle) from Amevive can be used once only. Toss it away after only one usage, even if there's still some medication left after injecting the dose.Amevive is a blood thinner, which helps fight illnesses and helps the blood collect. This makes it more likely for you to lose blood from a wound or become sick when you are around people who are sick. In some cases, fatal infections could occur during treatments with Amevive. Your blood could require frequent testing. Visit your doctor regularly.Keep Amevive in the original container in the fridge. Avoid freezing. Be safe from the sun.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose of Amevive for Psoriasis:

7.5 mg every week in an IV bolus. Or 15 mg once per week as the IM injection.The most effective treatment is a 12-week course of weekly injections. Regression with an additional 12-week course is possible when CD4+ T lymphocyte counts fall within the normal range and at least 12 weeks have passed since the last programme of therapy. Information on the possibility of retreatment beyond two cycles is not available.It is recommended that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count of patients who are taking alefacept be checked weekly prior to starting dosage and during the duration of the 12 weeks of dosing. Dosing should be stopped in the event that CD4+ T lymphocyte numbers are lower than 250 microliters of cells. The drug should be removed in the event that counts are less than 250 cells/microliter after one month.The complete Amevive dosage information What will happen if I miss a dose?Contact your doctor for advice in case you missed a dose of Amevive.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help Line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms can be severe manifestations of some side effects that are listed in this guideline for medication.

What should be avoided?

Beware of those who are sick or suffering from infections. Contact your doctor right away in the event that you show symptoms of an infection.Do not get a "live" vaccine while using Amevive. The vaccine might not function at all at this point and might not completely safeguard you from illness. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccines.

Side effects of Amevive

Contact a medical professional immediately. If you notice any of these symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, difficulty breathing; hives; and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.

Stop taking Amevive immediately and call your doctor immediately when you experience an extremely serious side effect, like:

  • Chills, fever, and body aches symptoms such as sores in your throat and mouth;
  • Cough accompanied by green or yellow mucus. Stabbing chest pain with wheezing, feeling exhausted;
  • Nausea, abdominal pains, itching nausea, loss of appetite, urine, stools that are clay-coloured, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
  • Swelling and redness. Itching or oozing out of the skin
  • New skin lesions, the appearance of a sunburned skin rash,
  • An increase in or no improvement in the skin condition.

The less serious side effects of Amevive could include:

  • Sore throat and cough
  • Dizziness;
  • Mild nausea;
  • Headache;
  • Itching;
  • Muscle pain;
  • Inflammation or pain in the area where the medicine was injected.

This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects.If you have any concerns, report them to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Discuss with your physician all other medications you are taking, including:

  • A blood thinner, such as warfarin (Coumadin or Jantoven);
  • Cyosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
  • Digoxin (digitalis, lanoxin, and lanoxicaps);
  • Fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Duragesic, Lazanda, Onsolis);
  • Levothyroxine (synthroid, levothroid);
  • Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
  • Pimozide (Orap);
  • Sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf);
  • Theophylline (Elixophyllin Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl);
  • Ergot medicine, such as ergotamine (Ergomar Cafergot, Ergomar) as well as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);
  • Seizure medicine like carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), divalproex (Depakote), ethosuximide (Zarontin), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor);
  • Heart rhythm medications like disopyramide (Norpace) or procainamide (Procan Pronestyl), and the drug quinidine (Quin-G).

This list is not comprehensive, and other medications may interfere with Amevive. Discuss with your physician the medications you are taking. These include prescriptions, ointments, vitamin supplements and herbal items.Don't start any new medication without first talking to your doctor.