What is Casirivimab?
This drug is not authorised by the US FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 until further notice. Casirivimab is an experimental medicine currently being studied to treat conditions caused by coronavirus. Casirivimab's safety and effectiveness are not known.
Casirivimab and imdevimab can also be used in patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 or:
- You are not fully immunised against COVID-19.
- They may have received a vaccination but not enough immunity due to certain illnesses or medicines they use.
Casirivimab, or imdevimab, is for adults and children over 12 years of age who weigh at least 88 pounds.
People who have:
- Are overweight;
- Have you got chronic renal disease
- Have Diabetes
- Have a weak immune response (caused either by illness or certain medicines);
- Have sickle-cell disease?
- Have a heart condition or high blood pressure
- Have a neurodevelopmental condition such as cerebral palsy.
- Have asthma or another chronic breathing disorder
- Have a tracheostomy or gastrostomy
Also, pregnant women and adults 65 years of age and older may have a greater risk of experiencing severe COVID-19-related symptoms. Casirivimab is mixed with imdevimab to form a solution known as regencov. The use of casirivimab or imdevimab to prevent or treat COVID-19 or coronavirus is not approved. These medicines can help prevent COVID-19-related hospitalisations or emergency medical treatment. The use of Regen-Cov in patients who are in the hospital or on supplemental oxygen due to COVID-19 is not approved. Casirivimab can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Casirivimab
If you experience any of the following: hives; itching; difficulty breathing; swelling in your face, lips, or throat;
Some side effects can occur during injection. You should tell your doctor if you experience:
- The swelling of your throat or face;
- Dizziness is a feeling of light-headedness (as if you could pass out);
- Chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Fever; sweating; nausea.
- Heartbeats that are fast or slow, headaches, or pounding in the neck or ears
- Weakness, tiredness;
- Itching
- Muscle pain.
If you experience new or worsening side effects after receiving the infusion, including fever, confusion or weakness, fatigue, difficulty breathing, or rapid or slow heartbeats, call your doctor. You may experience less serious side effects or none at all. Unawareness may prevent us from understanding all possible side effects. There may be other side effects. Call your doctor immediately if any side effects arise; for further reporting please reach out to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
This drug is not authorised by any US region due to the high frequency of the Omicron BA.2 variant. Therefore, it may not be used for COVID-19 treatment under the EUA until further notice from the US FDA.
Before you take this drug
Tell your doctor immediately of any of the following conditions:
- A COVID-19 vaccine;
- An extremely severe allergic reaction following administration of COVID-19 vaccination;
- Any serious or chronic illness
- Allergies
- If you are breastfeeding or pregnant,
COVID-19 can cause serious illness and even death in pregnant women. Although not all risks have been identified, it is believed that being treated with imdevimab or casirivimab will be less harmful than contracting COVID-19 while pregnant.
How to take Casirivimab?
Casirivimab must be administered in combination with imdevimab. Casirivimab shouldn't be used alone. A healthcare provider injects Regen-Cov under the skin or into a blood vessel. Regen-Cov must be injected slowly into a vein over a period of 20 to 50 minutes. Regen-Cov can be injected into the skin in 2–4 different places. After the injection, you will be monitored to ensure that there is no allergic reaction.
Usually, Regen-Cov should be given in one dose within 10 days of the onset of symptoms or as soon as you can after being exposed to COVID-19 or testing positive. If you are exposed to COVID-19 on a regular basis, you may require additional monthly doses.
Using Regen-Cov does not reduce your contagiousness to others. Continue using infection prevention methods such as social isolation, self-isolation, and hand washing. It is also possible that Regen-Cov will not prevent you from getting infected again with the coronavirus. This drug combination may also alter your immune system's response to the coronavirus vaccination. The risks of imdevimab and casirivimab have not been fully studied.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you're on a monthly injection schedule, call your doctor to get instructions if your appointment is missed.
What happens if I overdose?
In a medical environment, an overdose is treated immediately.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Casirivimab may be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor of all the other medications you take.
