Efalizumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information

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Other drug names:	A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

Efalizumab Injection

(e fa li zoo' mab)

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?	What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know? Brand names

IMPORTANT WARNING: Return to top

Efalizumab will no longer be available in the U.S. after June 8, 2009. The manufacturer has decided to stop producing efalizumab because of the possible risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare, but serious brain infection that usually causes death) to patients receiving this medication. If you are currently taking efalizumab, you should call your doctor as soon as possible to discuss switching to another treatment. Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping efalizumab suddenly can cause severe worsening of your psoriasis.

IMPORTANT WARNING: Return to top

Efalizumab injection may decrease your ability to fight infection and increase the risk that you will get a serious or life-threatening infection including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare brain infection that cannot be prevented, treated, or cured and that usually causes severe disability or death.) Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any condition that affects your immune system, if you often get any type of infection, or if you have or think you may have any type of infection now. This includes minor infections (such as open cuts or sores), infections that come and go (such as cold sores), and ongoing infections that do not go away. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking medications that suppress the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); methotrexate (Rheumatrex); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone, and prednisone (Deltasone); sirolimus (Rapamune); and tacrolimus (Prograf). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether a medication you are taking may affect your immune system. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever; sore throat; chills; flu-like symptoms; other signs of infection; or new or sudden changes in thinking, balance, strength, walking, talking, or eyesight.

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will monitor your health carefully to be sure that you do not develop a serious infection.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using efalizumab injection.

Why is this medication prescribed? Return to top

Efalizumab is used to treat chronic (long-term) plaque psoriasis (a skin disease in which red scaly patches form on some areas of the body) in patients who cannot be treated with medications that are applied to the skin. Efalizumab is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by stopping the action of cells in the body that cause the symptoms of psoriasis.

How should this medicine be used? Return to top

Efalizumab comes as a powder to mix with sterile water and inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected once a week. You should inject efalizumab on the same day every week. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use efalizumab exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of efalizumab and increase your dose after one week.

You can inject efalizumab yourself or have a friend or relative give the injections. Your doctor will train the person who will be injecting the medication, and will test him or her to be sure that person can give the injections correctly. Be sure that you and the person who will be giving the injections read the manufacturer's information for the patient that comes with efalizumab before you use it for the first time at home.

If you are injecting efalizumab yourself, you can inject it anywhere on your thighs or stomach. If someone else will be giving you your injections, he or she can also inject the medication anywhere on the back of your upper arms or buttocks. To reduce the chances of soreness or redness, choose a different area for each injection. If your doctor has told you to use two injections for each dose, choose two spots that are at least 1 inch apart. Do not inject efalizumab near a vein that you can see through the surface of the skin. Try to inject efalizumab in skin that is free of symptoms of psoriasis.

Never mix efalizumab powder with any liquid other than the sterile water provided. Never add any other medications to the syringe you will use to inject efalizumab.

Never reuse needles, syringes, vials of efalizumab, or syringes of sterile water. You can throw away used alcohol pads, needle caps, and vials in the trash. Throw away used needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant container out of the reach of children. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to do with the puncture-resistant container when it is full.

Efalizumab controls chronic plaque psoriasis but does not cure it. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefit of efalizumab. Do not stop taking efalizumab without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Other uses for this medicine Return to top

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow? Return to top

Before using efalizumab,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to efalizumab or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any other medications for psoriasis. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you are being treated with phototherapy (a treatment for psoriasis that involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light) and if you or any family members have or have ever had cancer or any condition that affects your nervous system.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using efalizumab or within 6 weeks after you stop using efalizumab, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using efalizumab.
talk to your doctor about whether you should receive any vaccinations before you begin your treatment with efalizumab. It is important to have all vaccines appropriate for your age before beginning your treatment with efalizumab. Do not have any vaccinations while you are using efalizumab without talking to your doctor. Also talk to your doctor if anyone in your household needs to receive a vaccine during your treatment with efalizumab.
you should know that your psoriasis may worsen or you may develop a new type of psoriasis during or after your treatment with efalizumab. Call your doctor if you notice a new or worsening rash during or after your treatment.
tell your doctor if you gain or lose weight while you are using efalizumab. Your doctor may have to change the dose of your medication if your weight changes. Do not change the dose of your medication without talking to your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow? Return to top

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose? Return to top

Call your doctor to find out when you should inject your next dose and what schedule you should follow after that. Never inject a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause? Return to top

Efalizumab may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

headache, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain within 48 hours of injecting the first 2 doses
back pain
acne

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

easy bruising or bleeding
bleeding gums
tiny red spots under surface of skin
weakness
lightheadedness
dark or red urine
yellowing of the skin or eyes
red, stiff, swollen, or painful joints
hives
itching
difficulty breathing or swallowing
wheezing
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
hoarseness
rash or blisters
unusual skin changes or sores on the skin
new lumps or masses anywhere in your body
sudden numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs

Efalizumab may increase the risk that you will develop cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication.

Efalizumab may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? Return to top

Keep this medication in the carton it came in, tightly closed, away from light, and out of reach of children. Store unopened blister trays of efalizumab in the refrigerator, but do not freeze them. You may store mixtures of efalizumab and sterile water for up to 8 hours at room temperature. Throw away mixtures of efalizumab and sterile water after 8 hours have passed and throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

severe vomiting

What other information should I know? Return to top

Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to efalizumab. Keep all appointments with the laboratory.

Before having any laboratory tests, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using efalizumab.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names Return to top

Raptiva®

Last Reviewed - 04/01/2009

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

AHFS^® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2009. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.