Alemtuzumab
Alemtuzumab Solution for injection
What is this medicine?
ALEMTUZUMAB (AL em TOOZ oo mab) is a monoclonal antibody. Campath is used to treat B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Lemtrada is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
any active infection
cold sores
dental disease
heart disease
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS
immune system problems
an unusual or allergic reaction to alemtuzumab, hamster proteins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
The medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. You may receive acetaminophen (Tylenol), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or corticosteroids before your infusion to help decrease side effects related to the medicine. Your doctor may also give you antibiotics to help prevent infections.
A special MedGuide will be given to you if you are receiving this medicine for multiple sclerosis. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss a dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medicine?
This medicine may interact with the following medications:
vaccines
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need frequent blood checks. The side effects of the medicine can continue after you finish your treatment. Promptly report any side effects.
This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Men should inform their doctors if they wish to father a child. Men and women need to use effective contraceptive methods during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping this medicine. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
chest pain
diarrhea
difficulty breathing, wheezing
dizziness or fainting
palpitations
shortness of breath
signs of infection like fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually weak or tired
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation
diarrhea
fatigue
headache
insomnia
nausea
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
Alemtuzumab Solution for injection [Multiple Sclerosis]
What is this medicine?
ALEMTUZUMAB (AL em TOOZ oo mab) is a monoclonal antibody. Campath is used to treat B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Lemtrada is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
any active infection
cold sores
dental disease
heart disease
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS
immune system problems
an unusual or allergic reaction to alemtuzumab, hamster proteins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
The medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. You may receive acetaminophen (Tylenol), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or corticosteroids before your infusion to help decrease side effects related to the medicine. Your doctor may also give you antibiotics to help prevent infections.
A special MedGuide will be given to you if you are receiving this medicine for multiple sclerosis. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss a dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medicine?
This medicine may interact with the following medications:
vaccines
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need frequent blood checks. The side effects of the medicine can continue after you finish your treatment. Promptly report any side effects.
This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Men should inform their doctors if they wish to father a child. Men and women need to use effective contraceptive methods during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping this medicine. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
chest pain
diarrhea
difficulty breathing, wheezing
dizziness or fainting
palpitations
shortness of breath
signs of infection like fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually weak or tired
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation
diarrhea
fatigue
headache
insomnia
nausea
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Sources:
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert