Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
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.
Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that may cause large plaques of red, raised skin, flakes of dry skin, and skin scales. There are several types of psoriasis, including psoriasis vulgaris, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis. Symptoms vary depending on the type of psoriasis the patient has. Treatment of psoriasis may include creams, lotions, oral medications, injections and infusions of biologics, and light therapy. There is no cure for psoriasis.
The tendency toward developing psoriasis is
inherited in genes.
Psoriasis is not contagious.
Psoriasis gets better and
worse spontaneously and can have periodic remissions (clear skin).
Psoriasis is controllable with medication.
Psoriasis is currently not curable.
There are many promising therapies, including newer biologic drugs.
Future research for psoriasis is promising.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin condition that produces red, dry plaques of thickened skin. The dry flakes and skin scales are thought to result from the rapid proliferation of skin cells that is triggered by abnormal lymphocytes from the blood . Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp.
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