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Ravulizumab

Brand name: Ultomiris
Intravenous Solution (100 mg/mL)
Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

What is Ravulizumab?

Ravulizumab can be used to treat paroxysmal nighttime hemoglobinuria in adults and children older than 1 month.Eculizumab can also be used to treat adults and children older than 1 month with a rare blood disorder called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Ravulizumab should not be used to treat HUS caused by Shiga toxin E. coli.Adults with anti-AChR (acetylcholine receptor) antibodies who have generalized myasthenia gravis are treated with ravulizumab.Ravulizumab can only be obtained under a specific program. The program requires that you register and fully understand the risks and advantages of the medicine.Ravulizumab can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Ravulizumab

Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms: difficulty breathing, swelling in your face, lips, throat, or tongue.Some side effects can occur during the injection. If you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, tell your caregiver.

If you notice any signs of an infection, such as:

  • Muscle ache, flu-like symptoms
  • Fever, and a skin rash.
  • Fever and a migraine
  • Headache and stiffness in your neck or back
  • Headache and nausea, or vomiting.
  • Confuse or confuse
  • Your eyes may be more sensitive.

Call your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.

  • Pain or burning after urinating;
  • Pain or swelling in the genital area or rectal region;
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • The discharge of the vagina or penis is foul.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms worsen or change after stopping ravulizumab. These include fatigue, confusion, stomach or chest pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing (in men), trouble getting an erection or blood in urine, seizures, or loss of awareness.

Some of the common side effects associated with ravulizumab include:

  • Fever;
  • High blood pressure
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;
  • Headache
  • Cold symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose.

There may be other side effects.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Similar/related drugs

Empaveli, pyridostigmine, Mestinon, Neostigmine, Soliris, Ultomiris, and Vyvgart

Warnings

You could be more susceptible to infections, including serious and fatal ones. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a fever, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, headaches, confusion, neck stiffness or back pain, nausea, rash, or sensitivity to light.Before you can use ravulizumab, you will need to be vaccinated.The Patient Safety Card contains information about the signs and symptoms of serious infections. This card should be kept with you while taking ravulizumab and for 8 months following your last dose.

Before you take this drug

If you are allergic, have meningococcal infections such as meningitis and sepsis, or are not currently immunized against meningitis, you should not receive ravulizumab.If your child is receiving ravulizumab, make sure he or she has been vaccinated against a data-type="auto" href="https://www.drugs.com/cg/pneumonia.html">pneumonia/a> and a data-type="auto" href="https://www.drugs.com/cg/influenza.html". If you are treating your child with ravulizumab, make sure that he or she is also vaccinated for pneumonia and influenza (type B).You may receive antibiotic medication to take for the first two weeks of your ravulizumab therapy.If you've recently experienced any signs of infection (fever or chills) or symptoms similar to the flu, tell your doctor.Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. Ravulizumab is not known to harm unborn babies. PNH in pregnancy can cause complications for the baby or mother. These include blood clots and infections, bleeding, miscarriage, or premature delivery. Treatment of PNH can be beneficial to both the mother and baby.Do not breastfeed while taking ravulizumab or for 8 months following your last dose.Use is not recommended for anyone under 1 month of age.

How to take Ravulizumab?

Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed.You will need to wait two weeks after the last dose of eculizumab before you start treatment with ravulizumab.A healthcare provider injects Ravulizumab into a vein. The first two infusions usually take place two weeks apart. Then, an infusion is given every 4–8 weeks.You will be closely monitored for at least an hour after each infusion to ensure you don't have an allergic response.Weight is taken into account when determining the dose. Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight.You could get infected more easily. This includes serious infections that can be fatal. You'll need to undergo frequent medical tests.The Patient Safety Card contains information about the signs and symptoms of serious infections. This card should be kept with you while taking ravulizumab and for 8 months following your last dose. You may still be at risk of infection for months after stopping ravulizumab.

Some people are at increased risk for gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. Speak to your doctor about how you can avoid getting infected during sex.Ravulizumab may have long-lasting effects on your body even if you stop taking it. If PNH is present and you discontinue ravulizumab use, your doctor may want to monitor your progress at least 16 weeks after the last dose. You may need to be checked by your doctor for 12 months if you have HUS and stop taking ravulizumab.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are unable to keep your appointment for ravulizumab, call your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

In a medical setting, 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

Other medications, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may also affect ravulizumab. Inform your doctor of all the other medications you take.