Medications and Drugs

Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, Pharm.D.
Medical Editor: Jay Marks, M.D.

GENERIC NAME: alefacept

BRAND NAME: Amevive

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Alefacept is an injectable drug that suppresses the immune system and is used for the treatment of psoriasis. Scientists believe that psoriasis is caused by an increase in the production of one type of immune cell, T-lymphocytes, in response to the attachment of a stimulant (antigen) to the lymphocyte. The stimulated T-lymphocytes cause skin cells to grow rapidly, and the rapid growth of the skin cells produces the skin plaques of psoriasis. Alefacept reduces the stimulation and production of T-lymphocytes by attaching to the site on the T-lymphocytes where the antigen attaches. This prevents the antigen from binding and activating the T-lymphocytes. Alefacept also decreases the life-span of T-lymphocytes that already have been produced by increasing the activity of another type of immune cell, natural killer cells, that kill T-lymphocytes. Alefacept was approved by the FDA in January, 2003.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PREPARATIONS: Single use vials: 7.5 mg/0.5 ml for intravenous use and 15 mg/0.5 ml for intramuscular use.

STORAGE: Room temperature: 15-30°C (59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Alefacept is used for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

DOSING: The recommended dosing is 7.5 mg by intravenous injection or 15 mg by intramuscular injection once weekly for 12 weeks. The treatment cycle can be repeated after a twelve week interval without treatment if the patient's T-lymphocyte counts are within the normal range.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interaction studies have not been conducted. However, since alefacept suppresses the immune system, it should not be used with other drugs the also suppress the immune system.

PREGNANCY: Use of alefacept during pregnancy has not been evaluated .

NURSING MOTHERS: Use of alefacept by nursing mothers has not been adequately evaluated. It is not known whether alefacept is excreted in breast milk

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of alefacept are sore throat, dizziness, cough, nausea, itching, muscle aches, chills, injection site pain and injection site redness and swelling. The most serious side effects are a reduction in the number of immune cells, infections, cancer and allergic reactions. Alefacept should not be used by individuals whose blood lymphocyte counts are less than 250/ml.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

Last Editorial Review: 3/30/2003 10:56:28 AM

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