recommend Amevive (Intramuscular) Generic Name: alefacept (Intramuscular route) a-LEF-a-sept Overview Side Effects Dosage Professional Interactions More Pregnancy Warnings User Reviews Support Group Q & A Commonly used brand name(s) In the U.S. Amevive Available Dosage Forms: Powder for Solution Therapeutic Class: Immune Suppressant Slideshow Psoriasis: Treatment Options to Manage Your Symptoms and Skin Uses For Amevive Alefacept injection is used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis, which is a skin disease with red and white scales that don't go away. This medicine is given to patients who have used other medicines that did not work well. Alefacept is an immunosuppressant. It works on the immune system to treat the symptoms of plaque psoriasis. This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor. Before Using Amevive In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Allergies Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Pediatric Alefacept injection is not to be used in children. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Geriatric Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of alefacept injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have cancers or infections, which may require caution in patients receiving alefacept injection. Pregnancy Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters B Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus. Breast Feeding There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Interactions with Medicines Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Alfentanil Astemizole Cisapride Cyclosporine Dihydroergotamine Ergotamine Fentanyl Pimozide Quinidine Sirolimus Tacrolimus Terfenadine Warfarin Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Other Medical Problems The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Cancer, history of or HIV infection or AIDS Should not be used in patients with these conditions. Infection, active or Liver disease (including cirrhosis) or Lymphopenia (low white blood cells) Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. Proper Use of Amevive A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles. This medicine is usually given once a week for 12 weeks. If your doctor decides that you need a second set of injections, you must wait at least 12 weeks before starting the dosing cycle again. If you have questions, talk with your doctor. You may not see improvement in your skin right away. Your psoriasis may continue to get better even after you have stopped receiving this medicine. This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand. Precautions While Using Amevive It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. You may get infections more easily while you are receiving this medicine. Avoid people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor right away if you start to have signs of an infection such as a cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination, fever or chills, shortness of breath, or flu-like symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, or feeling generally ill. A small number of people who used this medicine developed cancer. This was rare and most of the cases were skin cancer. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had cancer before. Talk about this risk with your doctor. This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, angioedema (swelling), and severe itching. These reactions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, hives or welts, itching, hoarseness, redness of the skin, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat after you receive the medicine. You should contact your doctor right away if you develop constant nausea, a loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, abdominal or stomach pain, yellow eyes or skin, easy bruising, dark urine, or pale stools. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem. Female patients: Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are receiving this medicine or within 8 weeks after your last dose. While you are being treated with alefacept injection and after you stop using it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Alefacept may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a medicine that weakens your immune system, such as a steroid or cancer medicine. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also receiving phototherapy (light or laser therapy) for your psoriasis. Amevive Side Effects Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur: More common Chills cough fever hoarseness lower back or side pain painful or difficult urination Less common Body aches or pain congestion dryness or soreness of the throat runny nose tender, swollen glands in the neck trouble with swallowing voice changes Rare Arm, back, or jaw pain chest pain or discomfort chest tightness or heaviness fast or irregular heartbeat nausea pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck shortness of breath sweating vomiting Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: More common Pain, swelling, bleeding, skin rash, or lumps at the injection site Less common Difficulty with moving dizziness itching skin joint pain muscle aching or cramping muscle pains or stiffness swollen joints Rare Headache Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Side Effects (complete list) The information contained in the Truven Health Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. The use of the Truven Health products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Truven Health and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, TRUVEN HEALTH MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Truven Health does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Truven Health products. Copyright 2017 Truven Health Analytics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Next Side Effects Print this page Add to My Med List More about Amevive (alefacept) Side Effects During Pregnancy Dosage Information Drug Interactions Support Group 1 Review Add your own review/rating Drug class: selective immunosuppressants Consumer resources Amevive Professional resources Amevive (AHFS Monograph) Amevive (FDA) Related treatment guides Plaque Psoriasis Psoriasis} Drug Status Availability Discontinued B Pregnancy Category No proven risk in humans N/A CSA Schedule Not a controlled drug Drug Class Selective immunosuppressants Related Drugs Psoriasis Humira , methotrexate , cyclosporine , Remicade , adalimumab , infliximab , Stelara , Trexall , Rasuvo , acitretin , Neoral , More... Plaque Psoriasis Humira , dexamethasone , methylprednisolone , betamethasone topical , Enbrel , Remicade , Otezla , adalimumab , calcipotriene topical , infliximab , etanercept , Cosentyx , More... Amevive Rating 1 User Review 10 /10 1 User Review 10 Rate it! Help and Support Looking for answers? Ask a question or go join the Amevive support group to connect with others who have similar interests.} } realise
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