What Is Alemtuzumab?
Alemtuzumab is used to treat chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia or relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
Lemtrada is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks of taking this medicine.
Alemtuzumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Alemtuzumab can cause your immune system to attack cells and organs in your body. This can lead to life-threatening medical problems such as severe bleeding or kidney damage. Call your doctor right away if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, blood in your urine, swelling in your legs or feet, or if you cough up blood.
Some side effects may occur during the injection or shortly afterward. You will be watched closely for at least 2 hours after receiving alemtuzumab, to make sure you do not have a serious reaction.
Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with alemtuzumab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, cough, mouth sores, or trouble breathing.
Alemtuzumab can have long lasting effects on your body, including an increased risk of developing other types of cancer (such as melanoma, thyroid cancer, or blood cancers). You may need frequent medical tests for as long as 4 years after you stop using this medicine.
You should not receive alemtuzumab if you are allergic to it. You should not be treated with Lemtrada if you have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
To make sure alemtuzumab is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- an active or recent infection;
- kidney disease;
- a thyroid disorder;
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia; or
- if you have received a vaccine in the past 6 weeks.
It is not known whether alemtuzumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving alemtuzumab, and for at least 4 months after each course of treatment.
It is not known whether alemtuzumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Alemtuzumab Side Effects
Some side effects may occur during the injection or shortly afterward. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel weak, dizzy, itchy, nauseated, chilled or feverish, or if you have chest tightness or trouble breathing.
Alemtuzumab can cause your immune system to attack cells and organs in your body. This can lead to life-threatening medical problems such as severe bleeding or kidney damage. Call your doctor right away if you have:
- unusual bruising or bleeding;
- blood in your urine;
- swelling in your legs or feet; or
- if you cough up blood.
- pain or swelling in your neck or throat, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing;
- a mole that has changed in size or color;
- lung problems--cough, wheezing, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
- signs of infection--fever, swollen glands, weakness, pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, pain or burning when you urinate;
- symptoms of herpes virus--cold sores around your mouth, skin sores or blisters, itching, tingling, burning pain in your thigh or lower back; or
- thyroid problems--extreme tired feeling, nervousness, fast heartbeats, heavy sweating, weight gain or loss, swelling of your eyes, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures, constipation.
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
- infections;
- headache, joint pain, back pain;
- itching, rash, tingling;
- dizziness, tiredness, sleep problems (insomnia);
- vaginal itching or discharge;
- stuffy nose, throat pain or itching, white patches in your mouth or throat; or
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
Alemtuzumab Interactions
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with alemtuzumab, especially:
- drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
Alemtuzumab Dosage
You may be given an antibiotic and other medicines to help prevent certain side effects of alemtuzumab. Take these medicines for the full prescribed length of time.
To treat chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia, alemtuzumab is usually given for a total of 12 weeks. You may receive the medicine every day or 3 days per week, depending on any side effects that occur.
For multiple sclerosis, alemtuzumab is given for 5 days followed by 12 months off the medicine. Then alemtuzumab is given for another 3 days. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine.
You will be watched closely for at least 2 hours after receiving alemtuzumab, to make sure you do not have a serious reaction.
Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with alemtuzumab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, cough, mouth sores, or trouble breathing.
Your blood and urine will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Alemtuzumab can have long lasting effects on your body. You may need frequent medical tests for as long as 4 years after you stop using this medicine.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your alemtuzumab injection.
