What is Inebilizumab?
Inebilizumab can be used to treat adults who have a condition known as neuromyelitis optica (NOO-roe LYE-tis O-ti-ka), a spectrum disorder.NMOSD is also known as Devic's disease. It occurs when the immune system attacks your brain, spinal cord, or eyes. NMOSD can cause vision loss, paralysis or weakness in your arms and legs, numbness, pain, or uncontrollable hiccups or vomiting.
Inebilizumab may help reduce your risk of developing these symptoms or a permanent disability.Inebilizumab can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Inebilizumab
Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms: difficulty breathing, swelling in your face, lips, throat, or tongue.
During the injection, some side effects can occur. You should tell your carer if any of these symptoms occur: nausea, drowsiness, fever, headache, skin rash, or muscle pain.
Inebilizumab can cause a serious brain infection, which may lead to death or disability. If you experience problems with your speech, thinking, vision, or muscle movements, call your doctor immediately. These symptoms can start slowly and then get worse very quickly.
Inebilizumab may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Fever, chills, and body aches
- Stuffy nose; sore throat.
- Pain or burning after urinating;
- Urinating more than usual
- Right-sided upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
If you experience certain side effects, your doses could be reduced or discontinued permanently.
Inebilizumab can cause a number of side effects, including:
- Painful urination
- Joint Pain.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
You should read the entire label and package instructions before taking your medicine. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you may have, including allergies and medications.
Before you take this drug
Inebilizumab should not be used if:
- Active Hepatitis B
- Active or untreated TB
- A history of a life-threatening reaction after an inebilizumab shot
If you suspect an infection or have had any of the following:
- Hepatitis B, or if you're a carrier,
- Tuberculosis
- If you recently received or have scheduled a vaccination,
Ensure you have received all your vaccines 4 weeks prior to starting treatment with inebilizumab.Use birth control while taking inebilizumab and for 6 months following your last dose.
Inebilizumab exposure in the womb can affect the vaccination schedule of your child during the first months of their life.Breastfeeding may not be possible while taking this medication. You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about any risks.
How to take Inebilizumab?
Inebilizumab can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.Inebilizumab should be administered slowly. The infusion may take up to 90 minutes.Your doctor will test you to ensure that you don't have any infections, such as hepatitis or tuberculosis, before each infusion.
Inebilizumab is usually administered in two-week intervals at first and then every six months.To prevent severe side effects or allergic reactions, you will receive other medications between 30 and 60 minutes prior to each infusion.After each infusion, you will be closely monitored for at least one hour to ensure that you don't have an allergic response.
Inebilizumab may make hepatitis B worse or more active if you have ever had it. This can happen while you are taking it or even after you stop. For several months, you may require frequent liver function testing.Immunoglobulins, proteins made by immune cells that help the body fight infection, will be tested frequently in your blood.You may not receive any further doses if your immune system is too low or if you become infected.
Inebilizumab dosing information
Adult dose for neuromyelitis:
Initial dose: 300mg intravenous infused, followed by a second 300 mg intravenous infused 2 weeks later.
Maintenance dose: 300 mg intravenous infusion once every six months (starting six months after the initial infusion).
Comments:
Do not administer if there is an infection that is active or clinically significant.
Premedicate before each infusion with a corticosteroid, an antihistamine, and an antipyretic.
Observe the patient for at least one hour following the completion of the infusion.
Use: Neuromyelitis Optica Disorder Spectrum (NMOSD)
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to attend your appointment for inebilizumab, call your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Inebilizumab will be administered by a healthcare provider in a medical environment, so an overdose should not occur.
What should be avoided?
Don't receive a live vaccine without consulting your doctor. Before you can receive any live vaccine, blood tests will be required. Live vaccines are available for measles (MMR), rubella, mumps (MMR), yellow fever, typhoid (typhoid), varicella (chickenpox), zika (shingles), and influenza (nasal flu).
After stopping inebilizumab, you may need to undergo blood tests again before receiving a vaccine. Please follow your doctor's advice.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including:
- Steroids, chemotherapy, drugs to treat cancer, or medicines that prevent rejection of organ transplants such as
This list is incomplete. Inebilizumab may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
