Eculizumab, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: monoclonal antibody

Generic and brand names: eculizumab, injection; Soliris

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by infusion to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH (a disease that affects red blood cells).

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, kidney disease, or steroid medicine
• meningitis
• tuberculosis (your healthcare provider may give you a skin test to check for this)

Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection such as the flu or an open cut or sore, or if you often have infections that come back. Also tell your healthcare provider if you are scheduled to have major surgery or any kind of vaccination.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider. Keep all your appointments.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine increases your chance of getting meningococcal infections. If you had a meningococcal vaccine in the past, you might need a booster dose before starting this medicine. If you have never had this vaccine, you must get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before your first dose of this medicine. The symptoms of a meningococcal infection are:

• headache
• confusion
• eyes sensitive to light
• fever
• nausea or vomiting
• severe muscle pain
• stiff neck or stiff back

Call healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop a fever or ANY other symptoms of infection. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe headache with nausea, vomiting, fever, stiff neck, or stiff back; severe muscle aches; eyes sensitive to light; fever of 103° or higher.

Other: Redness, swelling, or bruising around the injection site; headache; tiredness; nausea; cough; sore throat; runny nose.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines.

Some vaccinations should not be given while you are receiving this medicine. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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