Efalizumab

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Indications 3 Dosage 4 Monitor 5 Adverse-effects 6 Mechanism-of-action 7 More General Terms 8 References

Introduction

• Tradename: Raptiva ( FDA approved 2003) (withdrawn from US market June 2009 due to risk of PML)

Indications

• moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Dosage

• injection SQ weekly (cost $14,000/year)

Monitor

• platelet count monthly for 1st 3 months, then every 3 months
  
• monitor with immunosuppressive agents

Adverse-effects

• thrombocytopenia
• complications of immunosuppression

• infection [4]

• necrotizing fasciitis
• tuberculous pneumonia
• bacterial sepsis with seeding of distant sites
• severe pneumonia with neutropenia
• worsening of infection (e.g. cellulitis, pneumonia) despite antimicrobial treatment
• viral meningitis
• invasive fungal disease
• progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

• malignancy

• immune-mediated hemolytic anemia [4]
• life-threatening infections, including [5,7]

• bacterial sepsis
• viral meningitis
• invasive fungal disease
• progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy ( PML) [7]
• other opportunistic infections
  

• drug adverse effects of immunosuppressive agents

Mechanism-of-action

• monoclonal antibody: blocks T-cells

More General Terms

• monoclonal antibody
• immunosuppressive agent

References

1. Prescriber's Letter 10(12):69 2003
2. Leonardi CL, Efalizumab: an overview. N Engl 349:2014, 2003 PMID: [1]
3. Journal Watch 24(1):11, 2004 Lebwohl M et al, N Engl J Med 349:2004, 2003 PMID: &dopt=Abstract Leonardi CL et al, N Engl J Med 349:2014, 2003 PMID: [2]
4. FDA Medwatch [3]
5. FDA Medwatch [4]
6. FDA patient safety news [5]
7. FDA MedWatch [6]

efalizumab (Raptiva)