Bkemv (eculizumab-aeeb)

Complement Inhibitors Intravenous Vial (Ml)

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Eculizumab, a recombinant humanized IgG2/4 kappa monoclonal antibody, is a terminal complement inhibitor that binds specifically to the complement protein C5.

Eculizumab is a recombinant humanized immunoglobulin G2/4 kappa (IgG2/4 kappa) monoclonal antibody. The drug binds specifically and with high affinity to the complement protein C5, preventing activation of terminal complement components. Eculizumab prevents the cleavage of complement protein C5 into C5a and C5b, thereby blocking subsequent formation of the C5b-C9 terminal complement complex (also referred to as the membrane attack complex).

Patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) have a somatic hematopoietic stem cell mutation that results in deficient synthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), a glycolipid that links many proteins to the cell surface. Blood cells derived from this abnormal clone (known as PNH cells) have partial or complete (type II or III cells, respectively) deficiency of GPI-linked proteins, including the GPI-linked complement inhibitor CD-59. CD-59 inhibits formation of the C5b-C9 terminal complement complex; deficiency of CD-59 on PNH erythrocytes is thought to result in increased susceptibility of these cells to complement-mediated hemolysis.

In patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), an acquired or inherited defect in regulation of the alternative complement pathway results in uncontrolled terminal complement activation; chronic, uncontrolled activation of the complement system leads to platelet activation, endothelial cell damage, thrombotic microangiopathy, and damage to multiple organ systems (e.g., CNS, kidneys, heart, GI tract). Eculizumab blocks formation of terminal complement, thereby inhibiting terminal complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis in patients with PNH and complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with aHUS.

The precise mechanism by which eculizumab exerts its therapeutic effect in generalized myasthenia gravis patients is unknown, but is presumed to involve reduction of terminal complement complex C5b-9 deposition at the neuromuscular junction. The precise mechanism by which eculizumab exerts its therapeutic effect in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is unknown, but is thought to involve inhibition of aquaporin-4-antibody induced terminal complement C5b-9 deposition.

Eculizumab plasma concentrations >=35 mcg/mL are required to block complement. Following administration of a single dose, complement activity is inhibited for up to 2 weeks. Reduction of hemolysis (as determined by reduction in LDH concentrations) was maintained at least 52 weeks in open-label study.

The metabolic fate of immunoglobulins such as eculizumab is not well characterized but is likely to involve catabolism in various tissues via diffuse cellular processes. Minimal excretion of eculizumab is expected in urine due to its large molecular size. Small quantities of immunoglobulin have been found in bile.

Eculizumab exhibits linear pharmacokinetics over the dose range of 600 to 1200 mg. Following initiation of eculizumab therapy, steady-state concentrations are achieved in 4 weeks with an accumulation ratio of approximately 2-fold. The half-life of the drug is approximately 270 to 414 hours.

Plasma exchange or infusion increases clearance by approximately 250-fold and reduces half-life to 1.26 hours. The pharmacokinetics of eculizumab are not affected by age, sex, or race.

USES: This medication is used to treat a certain blood disorder (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria). This disorder can cause a decrease in red blood cells (anemia). This medication helps to block the decrease in red blood cells and can improve the symptoms of anemia (such as tiredness, shortness of breath) and decrease the need for blood transfusions.

This medication may also be used to treat a certain immune system disorder (atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome). It helps to prevent blood clots caused by this disorder. Eculizumab is also used to treat a certain muscle condition (generalized Myasthenia Gravis).

It may help to improve symptoms of this condition (such as difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing). Eculizumab is also used to treat a certain nervous system disorder that affects the spinal cord and eye nerve (neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder). It may help to reduce the number of hospital stays due to the disease.

This monograph is about the following eculizumab products: eculizumab, eculizumab-aagh, eculizumab-aeeb.

Generic name: eculizumab-aeeb
Pronunciation: (e-kue-LIZ-oo-mab)
Drug class: Complement Inhibitors
Therapeutic class: Hematological Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

NameBiosimilarInterchangeable
Soliris Reference
Alexion Pharmac
Amgen Biosimilar Interchangeable
Teva Usa Biosimilar Interchangeable

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Bkemv:

  • Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Also known as: Diarrhea-Negative Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Erb-Goldflam Disease, Goldflam's Disease, Goldflam-Erb Disease.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted to date with eculizumab.

Contraindications

*Patients with unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects reported in at least 10% of patients and at a higher incidence than placebo in the PNH clinical studies include headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, and nausea.

Adverse effects reported in at least 20% of patients (total incidence from 2 studies) in the single-arm prospective aHUS studies include headache, diarrhea, hypertension, upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, vomiting, nasopharyngitis, anemia, cough, peripheral edema, nausea, urinary tract infections, and pyrexia. h

The most frequently reported adverse effect in at least 10% of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis is musculoskeletal pain.

The most frequently reported adverse effects in at least 10% of patients with NMOSD include upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, back pain, dizziness, influenza, arthralgia, pharyngitis, and contusion.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
D59.3ICD10CMHemolytic-uremic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
G70.0ICD10CMMyasthenia gravis
G70.00ICD10CMMyasthenia gravis without (acute) exacerbation
G70.01ICD10CMMyasthenia gravis with (acute) exacerbation
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
D59.5ICD10CMParoxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria [marchiafava-micheli]

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data