What is Alefacept Injection?
Alefacept is used to treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body). Alefacept is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by stopping the action of certain cells in the body that cause the symptoms of psoriasis.
Brand Name
Ameviv
Other Names
What is Alefacept Injection?
Alefacept is used to treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body). Alefacept is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by stopping the action of certain cells in the body that cause the symptoms of psoriasis.
How
Alefacept comes as a solution to inject into a muscle or intravenously (into a vein). It is usually injected in a doctor's office once a week for 12 weeks. Sometimes a second 12-week cycle is given, but it is always separated from the first cycle by a period of at least 12 weeks without the medication.
Side Effects
dizzinessmuscle painpain, redness, swelling, or bleeding in the place where alefacept was injectedAlefacept may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html
Precautions
Before using alefacept,tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to alefacept 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 medications that suppress the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran); cancer chemotherapy; cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); methotrexate (Rheumatrex); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone);sirolimus (Rapamune); and tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.tell your doctor if you or any of your close relatives have or have ever had cancer and if you have or have ever had any disease that affects your immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID); or kidney or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you have any type of infection, including infections that come and go (such as cold sores), and chronic infections that do not go away such as tuberculosis (TB), varicella (chickenpox or shingles), or hepatitis, or if you frequently get any type of infection such as urinary tract or bladder infections.tell your doctor if your psoriasis is being treated with phototherapy (a treatment for psoriasis that involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light).tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using alefacept or within 8 weeks of stopping alefacept, call your doctor.if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using alefacept.do not have any vaccinations (shots to prevent diseases) without talking to your doctor.you should know that alefacept may decrease your ability to fight infection and increase the risk that you will develop a serious infection. Stay away from people who are sick and wash your hands often while you are using this medication.
Overdose
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.
chillsheadachejoint painsinus pain
What If I Forget
If you miss an appointment to receive an alefacept injection, call your doctor as soon as possible.
Storage
Your doctor will store the medication in his office and give it to you each week.
Dietary Restrictions
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Miscellaneous
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.
Other Uses
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
The AHFS MedMaster Consumer Medication Information CMI® database is copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. © 2008, ASHP, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. All Rights Reserved. Duplication must be expressly authorized by ASHP, unless such duplication consists of printing or downloading portions of the data inherent in the program for non-commercial use. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the database provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such database and specifically disclaims all such warranties and representations. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the database is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug in the database. The information contained in the database is not a substitute for medical care.
