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Alemtuzumab
Generic name: Alemtuzumab
Brand name: CamPath
What is Alemtuzumab and why is it used?
Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat a certain type of leukemia. It is given to those patients whose disease has progressed even while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. It is available only by prescription and is given by injection.
Things to do before you start using these medication
Before you start using this medication, there are a number of things that should be considered and discussed with your doctor. It is necessary to weigh the risks and benefits, something your doctor can determine.
Allergies
If you have ever had any allergic reactions to monoclonal antibodies including alembuzumab, you need to inform your doctor. You health care provider also needs to know if you are allergic to anything else such as preservatives.
Pregnancy
Alemtuzumab can possibly harm the unborn baby. Studies on this at the present time are inconclusive, so you should avoid becoming pregnant while you are receiving Alemtuzumab. Contraception should be used by both men and women while undergoing treatment with Alemtuzumab and for at least six months after cessation of treatment. This medicine may be needed to treat serious diseases or other conditions that threaten the mother’s life. This should be discussed with your doctor to determine if it is medically necessary during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
It is not know if Alemtuzumab is absorbed into breast milk, but because of potential side effects in nursing babies, breast-feeding should be stopped during treatment and a period of at least three months after cessation of treatment.
Children
No studies have been conducted on this medicine on children, and as such, there is no information available regarding its safe use in anyone other than adults.
Older adults
There is no information concerning the use of Alemtuzumab in the elderly, but it is not expected to cause any different side effects that those experienced by younger adults.
Other medicines
Because of the potential for drug interactions, with this medication, it is important that your doctor or pharmacist know any other medications you may be taking, prescription and non-prescription. If there is a potential for interaction or a change in the way the medicine works, the doctor may want to adjust the dosage or use other precautions. Additionally, if you have ever been treated with radiation or cancer medicines, you doctor needs to know because Alemtuzumab may increase the effects either of these treatments has on the blood.
Other medical problems
The use of Alemtuzumab may be altered by certain other conditions. Be sure to inform your doctor of any other medical problems, especially chickenpox, shingles, heart disease, bone marrow depression or infection, or immune deficiency. Any of these conditions can affect the way Alemtuzumab reacts or cause more serious side effects.
Proper use of this medicine
The dosage of Alemtuzumab will differ for different patients, and is based on a number of things. It is usually given by a doctor or nurse in the hospital or in a clinical setting.
Precautions while using this medicine
You will need to visit your doctor regular while under treatment with this medication to make sure that it is working properly. While you are on the medications, do not have any vaccinations without your doctor’s approval because alemtuzumah may lower the immune system’s ability to fight infection. As a result, you may get the infection the vaccination is meant to prevent. Also, avoid anyone who has taken oral polio vaccines with the last several months - do not stay in the same room with them for very long unless you are wearing a protective mask on your face. Follow the precautions listed below as well:
· Avoid people with infections as much as possible. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection.
· Notify your doctor immediately if you have any bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, bloody urine or stools, or pinpoint red marks on your skin.
· Be careful when you use a toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Check with the doctor before having any dental work done.
· Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose except right after you have washed your hands.
· Be careful not to cut yourself
· Avoid any situation where bruising or injury could occur.
Side effects of Alemtuzumab
If any of the following occurs, notify your doctor as soon as possible:
· Black, tarry stools
· Blood in urine
· Chills
· Cough
· Diarrhea
· Dizziness
· Faintness or feeling lightheaded when rising from a lying on sitting position
· Fever
· Headache
· Itching
· Hives
· Rash
· Nausea and vomiting
· Pale skin
· Difficult or painful urination
· Shortness of breath
· Sore throat
· Ulcers or white spots on the lips or inside the mouth
· Sudden sweating
· Swollen glands
· Chest tightness
· Troubled breathing, exert ional
· Unusual bleeding or bruising
· Extreme tiredness or weakness
· Wheezing
Some less common side effects may also occur, so if you notice anything out of the ordinary while taking this medication, be sure to notify your doctor.
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