Lemtrada

What is Lemtrada?

Campath can be used to treat adults with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.Lemtrada can be used to treat multiple sclerosis relapsing in patients aged 17 and older, including active secondary progressive disease (including at least two other medications that have not worked or stopped working).Lemtrada does not cure MS but can reduce the frequency of relapses. Lemtrada should not be used to treat a clinically isolated syndrome.Lemtrada can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Lemtrada

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.If any of the symptoms listed here occur, seek emergency medical help immediately.purple spots or bleeding in your urine; dark or bloody urine; stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.Lemtrada can cause a brain infection, which may lead to death or disability. If you experience problems with your speech, thinking, vision, or muscle movements, tell your doctor. These symptoms may get worse very quickly.Some side effects can occur immediately after or during the injection. You should tell your carer if your symptoms include feeling weak, dizzy, or light-headed.Lemtrada may cause your immune system to attack your cells and organs. This can cause serious health problems. These may appear months or years after receiving Campath or Lemtrada.

• Unusual bleeding or bruises; bleeding gums or menstrual period; blood in urine or stools; problems speaking; weakness on one side of the body; severe headache or drooping face
• A mole that has changed size or color. Cough.
• An overactive immune system can cause symptoms such as a fever, swollen lymph glands, a rash, or feeling less alert. Other symptoms include difficulty waking up, seizures, and feeling unsteady.
• Liver problems: dark urine, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right side, and jaundice.
• Kidney problems include swelling in the lower legs, weight loss, back pain, and urine that is pink, brown, or foamy.
• Signs of infection: fever, chills, sore neck; cough, mouth ulcers, skin blisters or sores; tingling or burning pain on the skin or lips; pale or yellowed complexion; pain when you urinate or a burning sensation; dark urine.
• Signs of tuberculosis include night sweats, a loss of appetite, weight loss, and feeling very tired.
• Signs of a stroke or tear of an artery: sudden severe headaches, weakness in one side of the body, drooping of your face, slurred words;
• Gallbladder issues: nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
• Symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis: personality or mood changes, hallucinations, agitation, confusion, short-term memory loss, movement disorders;
• Symptoms of adult-onset Still disease: high fever, stiffness, swelling, or pain in multiple joints;
• If you have thyroid problems, you may experience: feeling cold; feeling anxious or tired; feeling nervous or tired; weight gain or loss; constipation.
• Symptoms of thyroid carcinoma include a lump in the neck or throat or difficulty swallowing.

Lemtrada side effects may include:

• Itching or hives are possible reactions to injection.
• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea;
• Infections (fever or chills; runny or stuffy nasal passages; mouth or throat pain or painful urination);
• Chest pain or tightness and coughing up blood.
• Dizziness, tiredness, trouble sleeping;
• Headache, joint or muscle pain, or pain in the arms or legs
• Flushing (redness, sudden warmth, or tingling sensation) is a sign of thyroid disease.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Contacting the FDA directly is possible at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report adverse events.

Similar/related drugs

Kesimpta, Betaseron, Copaxone, Aubagio, Tecfidera, Gilenya, and Tysabri

Warnings

Lemtrada may cause serious side effects that can be life-threatening. These problems could occur for months to years following your Lemtrada treatment.

Before you take this drug

Lemtrada may not work for you if your immune system is infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Communicate any of the following to your physician:

• Tuberculosis and other infections
• A thyroid disorder
• Kidney disease
• If you have bleeding problems or receive blood transfusions,
• If you received a vaccine within the last 6 weeks,

Inform your doctor if this is the first time you've had chickenpox or if it's been a while since you received a varicella vaccination (varivax). Lemtrada may not be effective until 6 weeks after receiving the varicella vaccine.Lemtrada can increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as thyroid cancer or lymphoma. Consult with your physician regarding potential risks.Before starting treatment, you may need to take a pregnancy test. Lemtrada can harm an unborn child. Use birth control while taking this medication, for at least three months after the last dose of Campath, and for four months after the last dose of Lemtrada. Inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant.Campath exposure in the womb can affect the vaccination schedule of your child.Lemtrada can affect both men and women's fertility (ability to have children). Women should use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as this medication can harm an unborn child.Lemtrada may make it unsafe to breastfeed. While using Campath and for 3 months following your last dose, you should not breastfeed.

How to take Lemtrada?

Lemtrada can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider. After the infusion, you will be closely monitored for at least 2 hours to ensure that there is no serious reaction.Campath is typically given three times per week over a period of 12 weeks. Lemtrada usually comes in two or more courses of treatment separated by a year. Your doctor will decide how long you should be treated and the number of courses you require. Lemtrada should be administered slowly. Campath can take up to 2 hours for the infusion. Lemtrada can be infused over a period of 4 hours.Other medicines may be prescribed to prevent certain infections or side effects. You should take these medications for the entire prescribed time.Lemtrada can affect your immune system. You could get more infections, including serious or deadly infections. You may need to undergo frequent medical tests, and your next dosage could be delayed depending on the results.If you are female, it is recommended that you have an annual HPV (human papillomavirus) screening.Lemtrada may have long-lasting effects on your body. You may require medical tests up to 4 years or 2 months after stopping Lemtrada.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you miss your appointment to receive Lemtrada, call your doctor and ask for instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

What should be avoided?

Lemtrada should not be used with a live vaccine. You could get a serious infection, or the vaccine might not work well. Live vaccines are available for measles (MMR), rubella, rotavirus (chickenpox), varicella, typhoid (yellow fever), zoster (shingles), as well as nasal flu (influenza).While receiving Lemtrada treatment, you should avoid eating foods that could be a potential source of Listeria or thoroughly heat them before consumption. It includes deli meats, seafood, poultry, and unpasteurized dairy.

Interaction with other drug

Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including those that can weaken your immune system, such as chemotherapy or drugs to prevent transplant rejection.Lemtrada may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.