a-LEF-a-sept, WA-ter, STARE-il
Uses For alefacept
Alefacept injection is used to treat adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, which is a skin disease with red and white scales that don't go away. alefacept is given to patients who have used other medicines that did not worked well.
Alefacept is an immunosuppressant. It works by slowing down the action of certain cells in the body that cause the symptoms of psoriasis.
alefacept is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using alefacept
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For alefacept, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to alefacept or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Alefacept injection is not indicated for pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of alefacept injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have cancers or infections, which may require caution in patients receiving alefacept injection.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | B | Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of alefacept. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Cancer, history of or
- HIV infection or AIDS—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Infection—May decrease your body's ability to fight infection.
- Liver disease (including cirrhosis) or
- Lymphopenia (low white blood cells)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Proper Use of alefacept
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you alefacept in a hospital. alefacept is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
alefacept is usually given once a week for 12 weeks. Some people might need to have another 12-week treatment. You must wait at least 12 weeks between each set of 12-week treatments. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
You may not see improvement in your skin right away. Your psoriasis may continue to get better even after you have stopped receiving alefacept.
Precautions While Using alefacept
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits for any blood problems or any other side effects that may be caused by alefacept. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
It is important to check with your doctor if you have any symptoms of an infection such as fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination. If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
You may get infections more easily while you are using alefacept. Avoid people who are sick or have infections. Stop using alefacept and call your doctor right away if you start to have signs of infection such as a persistent cough, weight loss, night sweats, fever or chills, shortness of breath, or flu-like symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, or feeling generally ill.
A small number of people who have used alefacept have developed cancer. This is rare. Most of the cases were skin cancer. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had cancer before. Talk about this risk with your doctor, especially if you might have other risk factors.
alefacept may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive the medicine.
You should contact your doctor right away if you develop persistent nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, abdominal or stomach pain, yellow eyes or skin, easy bruising, dark urine, or pale stools. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
It is important to tell your doctor if you become pregnant or within 8 weeks after you stop using alefacept. Your doctor may want you join a pregnancy registry for patients using alefacept.
While you are being treated with alefacept injection and after you stop using it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Alefacept injection may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine that weakens your immune system, such as a steroid or cancer treatment. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are also receiving phototherapy (light or laser therapy) for your psoriasis.
alefacept Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Chills
- cough
- fever
- hoarseness
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- Body aches or pain
- congestion
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- runny nose
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- trouble with swallowing
- voice changes
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- chest pain or discomfort
- chest tightness or heaviness
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- nausea
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- vomiting
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Pain, swelling, bleeding, skin rash, or lumps at the injection site
- Difficulty with moving
- dizziness
- itching skin
- joint pain
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle pains or stiffness
- swollen joints
- Headache
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: alefacept Intramuscular side effects (in more detail)
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More alefacept Intramuscular resources
- Alefacept Intramuscular Side Effects (in more detail)
- Alefacept Intramuscular Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Alefacept Intramuscular Drug Interactions
- Alefacept Intramuscular Support Group
- 1 Review for Alefacept Intramuscular - Add your own review/rating
Compare alefacept Intramuscular with other medications
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