Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody, marketed as Soliris, that improves the inflammatory response and decreases the body’s ability to attack its blood cells, being primarily indicated to combat a rare disease called nocturnal paroxystic hemoglobinuria.
The drug Soliris is indicated for the treatment of a blood disorder called paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; a disease of the blood and kidney called atypical hemolytic and uremic syndrome, where there may be thrombocytopenia and anemia, as well as blood clots, fatigue and dysfunction of various organs, and is also indicated for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis.
- In Brazil.
- This drug is approved by Anvisa and the SUS makes it available as part of a trial.
- And is not sold in pharmacies.
This medicine should be injected into the hospital. Treatment is usually done by dripping into a vein for approximately 45 minutes, once a week, for 5 weeks, until a dose adjustment is made to be used every 15 days.
In general, eculizumab is well tolerated, with headaches being the most common; however, side effects like thrombocytopenia, decreased red blood cells, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, poor digestion, nausea, chest pain, chills, fever, swelling, fatigue, weakness, can also cause herpes, gastroenteritis, inflammation, bladder, arthritis, pneumonia, meningococcal meningitis, muscle pain, back pain, neck pain, dizziness, decreased taste, tingling in the body, spontaneous erection, cough, throat irritation, , hair loss, dry skin.
Soliris should not be used in people allergic to any of the components of the formula and, in case of unresolved Neisseria meningitidis infection, in people who have not received the meningitis vaccine.
This medicine should only be used during pregnancy, on medical advice and if clearly necessary, as it passes through the placenta and can interfere with the baby’s blood flow.It is also not indicated for use during lactation, so if the woman is breast-feeding she should be discontinued for 5 months after using this medicine.