Eculizumab
Looking up MedlinePlus…
From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Boxed warning
WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS SOLIRIS, a complement inhibitor, increases the risk of serious infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with complement inhibitors. These infections may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Complete or update vaccination for meningococcal bacteria (for serogroups A, C, W, Y, and B) at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of SOLIRIS, unless the risks of delaying therapy with SOLIRIS outweigh the risk of developing a serious infection.
Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for vaccinations against meningococcal bacteria in patients receiving a complement inhibitor. See Warnings and Precautions (5.1) for additional guidance on the management of the risk of serious infections caused by meningococcal bacteria. Patients receiving SOLIRIS are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis , even if they develop antibodies following vaccination. Monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of serious meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected.
Because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections, SOLIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning SOLIRIS increases the risk of serious and life-threatening infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis . Complete or update meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of SOLIRIS, unless the risks of delaying SOLIRIS outweigh the risk of developing a serious infection.
Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients receiving a complement inhibitor. ( 5.1 ) Patients receiving SOLIRIS are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by N. meningitidis , even if they develop antibodies following vaccination. Monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of meningococcal infections, and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected. ( 5.1 ) SOLIRIS is available only through a restricted program called the ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS. ( 5.2 )
Complement Inhibitor
Dosing in kidney impairment
This label has no separate kidney-impairment dosing section. Check warnings and clinical pharmacology in the full label.
Preparation and administration
Prepare this dose
Your numbers for eculizumab. Take vial strength, diluent, and limits from the label below.
Enter a dose to see draw volume, final concentration, and rates.
Dose Adjustment in Case of Plasmapheresis, Plasma Exchange, Fresh Frozen Plasma Infusion or IVIg For adult and pediatric patients with aHUS or gMG, and adult patients with NMOSD, supplemental dosing of SOLIRIS is required in the setting of concomitant plasmapheresis or plasma exchange, or fresh frozen plasma infusion (PE/PI) (Table 2). [See table below.] For patients with gMG, a supplemental dose of SOLIRIS is required in the setting of concomitant use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment as described in Table 3. [See table below.] Less frequent than every 4 weeks 900 mg or more 600 mg At the next scheduled SOLIRIS dose after the last IVIg cycle 600 mg or less 300 mg
Preparation Dilute SOLIRIS to a final admixture concentration of 5 mg/mL using the following steps: Withdraw the required amount of SOLIRIS from the vial into a sterile syringe. Transfer the recommended dose to an infusion bag. Dilute SOLIRIS to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL by adding the appropriate amount (equal volume of diluent to drug volume) of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP; 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP; 5% Dextrose Injection, USP; or Ringer's Injection, USP to the infusion bag.
The final admixed SOLIRIS 5 mg/mL infusion volume is 60 mL for 300 mg doses, 120 mL for 600 mg doses, 180 mL for 900 mg doses or 240 mL for 1,200 mg doses (Table 4). [See table below.] Gently invert the infusion bag containing the diluted SOLIRIS solution to ensure thorough mixing of the product and diluent. Discard any unused portion left in a vial, as the product contains no preservatives.
Prior to administration, the admixture should be allowed to adjust to room temperature [18°C to 25°C, 64°F to 77°F]. The admixture must not be heated in a microwave or with any heat source other than ambient air temperature. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
Storage of Diluted SOLIRIS: If not used immediately, store the diluted SOLIRIS solution up to 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) or at room temperature [18°C to 25°C, 64°F to 77°F].
Administration Only administer as an intravenous infusion. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus injection. Administer the SOLIRIS admixture by intravenous infusion over 35 minutes in adults and 1 to 4 hours in pediatric patients via gravity feed, a syringe-type pump, or an infusion pump. If an adverse reaction occurs during the administration of SOLIRIS, the infusion may be slowed or stopped at the discretion of the physician.
If the infusion is slowed, the total infusion time should not exceed two hours in adults. Monitor the patient for at least one hour following completion of the infusion for signs or symptoms of an infusion-related reaction.
| Type of Plasma Intervention | Most Recent SOLIRIS Dose | Supplemental SOLIRIS Dose with Each Plasma Intervention | Timing of Supplemental SOLIRIS Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasmapheresis or plasma exchange | 300 mg | 300 mg per each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange session | Within 60 minutes after each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange |
| ≥600 mg | 600 mg per each plasmapheresis or plasma exchange session | ||
| Fresh frozen plasma infusion | ≥300 mg | 300 mg per infusion of fresh frozen plasma | 60 minutes prior to each infusion of fresh frozen plasma |
| SOLIRIS Dose | Diluent Volume | Final Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 300 mg | 30 mL | 60 mL |
| 600 mg | 60 mL | 120 mL |
| 900 mg | 90 mL | 180 mL |
| 1,200 mg | 120 mL | 240 mL |
Drug interactions
Check eculizumab against a medication listLabel text (3 paragraphs)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
7.1 Plasmapheresis, Plasma Exchange, Fresh Frozen Plasma Infusion or IVIg Concomitant use of SOLIRIS with plasma exchange (PE), plasmapheresis (PP) , fresh frozen plasma infusion (PE/PI), or in patients with gMG on concomitant IVIg treatment can reduce serum eculizumab concentrations and requires a supplemental dose of SOLIRIS [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ].
7.2 Neonatal Fc Receptor Blockers Concomitant use of SOLIRIS with neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockers may lower systemic exposures and reduce effectiveness of SOLIRIS. Closely monitor for reduced effectiveness of SOLIRIS.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS SOLIRIS is contraindicated for initiation in patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . SOLIRIS is contraindicated for initiation in patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection. ( 4 )
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited data on outcomes of pregnancies that have occurred following SOLIRIS use in pregnant women have not identified a concern for specific adverse developmental outcomes ( see Data ). There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in pregnancy ( see Clinical Considerations ). Animal studies using a mouse analogue of the SOLIRIS molecule (murine anti-C5 antibody) showed increased rates of developmental abnormalities and an increased rate of dead and moribund offspring at doses 2-8 times the human dose ( see Data ) .
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defect and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or fetal/neonatal risk PNH in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including worsening cytopenias, thrombotic events, infections, bleeding, miscarriages and increased maternal mortality, and adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal death and premature delivery. aHUS in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery, and adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes, including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal death and low birth weight.
Data Human Data A pooled analysis of prospectively (50.3%) and retrospectively (49.7%) collected data in more than 300 pregnant women with live births following exposure to SOLIRIS have not suggested safety concerns. However, these data cannot definitively exclude any drug-associated risk during pregnancy, because of the limited sample size. Animal Data Animal reproduction studies were conducted in mice using doses of a murine anti-C5 antibody that approximated 2-4 times (low dose) and 4-8 times (high dose) the recommended human SOLIRIS dose, based on a body weight comparison.
When animal exposure to the antibody occurred in the time period from before mating until early gestation, no decrease in fertility or reproductive performance was observed. When maternal exposure to the antibody occurred during organogenesis, two cases of retinal dysplasia and one case of umbilical hernia were observed among 230 offspring born to mothers exposed to the higher antibody dose; however, the exposure…
For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
Price ladder
Not the price at the counterThese are not what a patient pays at the pharmacy counter. They are what pharmacies, health plans, and government buyers pay, before manufacturer rebates. A patient's cost depends on their insurance (copay, coinsurance, or deductible) or the pharmacy's cash price.