About alemtuzum ab
Monoclonal antibody; anti-CD52
Used for
- Treats relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in selected adults when other treatments have not worked or are unsuitable.
Usual adult dose
12 mg intravenously daily for five days; 12 months later, daily for three days. Further courses may be given at least 12 months apart.
Common side effects
- Infusion reactions, headache, rash, nausea, and fever
- Infections, including herpes infections
- Thyroid disorders and other autoimmune diseases
- Low blood-cell counts and kidney problems
Important warnings
- Can cause serious, sometimes delayed autoimmune disorders; regular monitoring is required for 48 months after the final infusion.
- Serious infections and rare stroke or blood-vessel injuries have occurred.
- Given under specialist supervision with required infection-prevention measures and monitoring.
- Not for use in people with certain active infections or cancers.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment and for four months after the final dose.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether alemtuzumab passes into breast milk. Discuss breastfeeding with the treating specialist.
Interactions
- Live vaccines should generally be avoided during treatment and until immune recovery.
- Other immune-suppressing medicines may increase infection risk.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.