Amevive

Generic Name: alefacept (ah LEH fa cept)
Brand Names: Amevive

What is Amevive?

Alefacept is a protein that reduces specific actions of the immune system that are involved in causing psoriasis.

Amevive is used for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in people who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Amevive may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Important information about Amevive

Patients with HIV should not take Amevive. Talk to your doctor before taking Amevive if you are HIV positive.

Amevive reduces levels of certain white blood cells in the body. If the level of these white blood cells falls too low, treatment with Amevive may need to be withheld temporarily or discontinued. Your doctor will monitor your white blood cell levels during treatment.

Amevive may increase the risk of developing cancer. Do not use Amevive without first talking to your doctor if you have cancer or a history of cancer. Amevive reduces certain actions of the immune system and may increase the risk of developing a new infection or reactivating a chronic infection that has been latent (inactive). Contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of an infection such as fever or chills, sore throat, coughing, or burning with urination.

Before using Amevive

Patients with HIV should not take Amevive. Talk to your doctor before taking Amevive if you are HIV positive. Do not use Amevive without first talking to your doctor if you

• have had a previous allergic reaction to Amevive;

• have heart or blood vessel problems;

• have cancer or a history of cancer;

• have an infection or a history of chronic infection; or

• are taking another immunosuppressive medication or are receiving phototherapy.

You may not be able to use Amevive, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Amevive is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Amevive without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Amevive passes into breast milk. Do not use Amevive without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Amevive?

Use Amevive exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Amevive is administered by a healthcare provider as an intravenous (into the vein) or intramuscular (into the muscle) injection.

Amevive is usually administered once a week for a twelve week period. Your doctor will give you detailed information on the best treatment regimen for you.

It is important to use Amevive regularly to get the most benefit.

Amevive reduces levels of certain white blood cells in the body. If the level of these white blood cells falls too low, treatment with Amevive may need to be withheld temporarily or discontinued. Your doctor will monitor your white blood cell levels during treatment.

Your doctor will want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Amevive to monitor progress and side effects

Amevive will be stored by your healthcare provider as directed by the manufacturer.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Amevive.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Amevive is unlikely to threaten life. Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if an overdose of Amevive is suspected.

Symptoms of an Amevive overdose may include chills, headache, joint pain, stuffy nose, and low white blood cell counts.

What should I avoid while using Amevive?

Talk to your doctor before receiving vaccinations during treatment with Amevive. It is not known whether Amevive will reduce the actions of vaccines that use a live strain of the virus (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR) if administered during treatment with Amevive.

Amevive side effects

Amevive reduces levels of certain white blood cells in the body. If the level of these white blood cells falls too low, treatment with Amevive may need to be withheld temporarily or discontinued. Your doctor will monitor your white blood cell levels during treatment.

Amevive may increase the risk of developing cancer. Do not use Amevive without first talking to your doctor if you have cancer or a history of cancer. Amevive reduces certain actions of the immune system and may increase the risk of developing a new infection or reactivating a chronic infection that has been latent (inactive). Contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of an infection such as fever or chills, sore throat, coughing, or burning with urination. Stop using Amevive and seek emergency medical attention if you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use Amevive and talk to your doctor if you experience

• sore throat or cough;

• dizziness;

• headache

• nausea;

• itching;

• muscle aches;

• chills; or

• pain, discomfort, or inflammation at the injection site.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Amevive side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Amevive?

Talk to your doctor before receiving vaccinations during treatment with Amevive. It is not known whether Amevive will reduce the actions of vaccines that use live strains of the virus (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR) if administered during treatment with Amevive.

Other medications that affect the immune system may interact with Amevive. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products during treatment with Amevive.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about Amevive written for healthcare professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Alefacept is available with a prescription under the brand name Amevive as an injectable formulation. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.