Generic name: crovalimab [ kroe-VAL-i-mab ]
Brand name: Piasky
Dosage form: injectable solution (akkz 340 mg/2 mL)
Drug class: Selective immunosuppressants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 19, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is crovalimab?

Crovalimab is used to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in adults and children at least 13 years of age and older weighing at least 88 lbs (40 kg).

Crovalimab is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program.

Crovalimab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Crovalimab side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your medical caregiver if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Seek medical treatment or call your doctor if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, itching, fever, muscle, joint, or bone pain, headache, weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy, abdominal pain or upset stomach, kidney problems, or numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

• muscle pain with flu-like symptoms;

• fever and a rash;

• stiffness in your neck or back;

• headache with nausea or vomiting;

• confusion; or

• your eyes may be more sensitive to light.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of gonorrhea, such as:

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• pain or swelling of the genital or rectal area;

• unusual vaginal bleeding; or

• foul discharge from the penis or vagina.

If you stop using crovalimab, tell your doctor if you have any new or worsening symptoms, such as: tiredness, confusion, stomach pain, chest pain, trouble breathing or swallowing, trouble having an erection (in men), blood in your urine, a seizure, or loss of consciousness.

Common side effects of crovalimab may include:

• muscle, joint, or bone pain;

• kidney problems;

• numbness or tingling in your hands and feet;

• abdominal pain or upset stomach, nausea, vomiting;

• skin rash, fever, body aches, sweating, feeling weak or tired;

• headache, dizziness, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Crovalimab can affect your immune system and you may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, headache, confusion, neck or back stiffness, vomiting, rash, or your eyes are more sensitive to light.

You will need to receive certain vaccinations before you start using crovalimab.

Seek medical treatment or call your doctor if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, itching, fever, muscle, joint, or bone pain, headache, weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy, abdominal pain or upset stomach, kidney problems, or numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.

Crovalimab is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program.

Read the Patient Safety Card about serious infections and the symptoms to watch for. Keep this card with you at all times while using crovalimab and for at least 11 months after your last dose.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with crovalimab if you are allergic to it, or if you have a meningococcal infection (such as meningitis or sepsis).

You will need to receive a vaccine to protect against meningococcal infections at least 2 weeks before you start using crovalimab. Make sure people receiving crovalimab are vaccinated against pneumonia. Your child may also receive an influenza type B (Hib) vaccine.

If you need to start receiving crovalimab before you are vaccinated, you may be given antibiotic medicine during the first 2 weeks of crovalimab treatment.

Tell your doctor if you have recently had any symptoms of infection (fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms).

It is not known if crovalimab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using crovalimab, and for at least 9 months after your last dose.

How is crovalimab given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

If you've been using another drug called eculizumab or ravulizumab, you should receive your dose of crovalimab at the next dose as scheduled with eculizumab or ravulizumab.

Crovalimab is given slowly over 60 to 90 minutes as an infusion into a vein on day one.

Crovalimab is injected under the skin by a healthcare provider on days 2, 8, 15, 22, and then on day 29 followed by once every 4 weeks.

After each infusion, you will be watched closely for at least 1 hour to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction.

Doses are based on weight. Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight.

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. You will need frequent medical tests.

Read the Patient Safety Card about serious infections and the symptoms to watch for. Keep this card with you at all times while using crovalimab and for at least 11 months after your last dose. Your infection risk could last for several months after you stop using crovalimab.

Some people may have an increased risk of gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease). Talk with your doctor about safe ways to keep from getting an infection during sex.

Crovalimab can have long lasting effects on your body, even after you stop using this medicine. If you have PNH and you stop using crovalimab, your doctor may need to check your progress for at least 20 weeks after your last dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your crovalimab injection.

What happens if I overdose?

In a medical setting an overdose would be treated quickly.

What should I avoid while receiving crovalimab?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect crovalimab?

Other drugs may affect crovalimab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Crovalimab Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for crovalimab.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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