Myasthenia Gravis Treatment with Ultomiris: Function, Details, and More
Kickin' It with Ultomiris
Ultomiris, also known as ravulizumab-cwvz, is an infusion drug prescribed for certain cases of myasthenia gravis. This article offers insights into side effects, dosage, and the workings of Ultomiris.
Ultomiris is an intravenous solution that hospitals and clinics administer. It belongs to the class of drugs called complement inhibitors and does not have a biosimilar version.
Are you curious about the nitty-gritty of Ultomiris? Take a gander at this detailed Ultomiris article.
Ultomiris carries a boxed warning, which is the Food and Drug Administration's most severe warning. To learn more, read the "Ultomiris Cautions" section below.
Body weight
Myasthenia Gravis: The Skinny
Loading dose
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that interferes with your muscle and nerve communication, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue. It affects voluntary muscles, causing them to tire quickly.
Maintenance dose
Myasthenia Gravis: Symptoms Galore
Symptoms of myasthenia gravis include:
40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb)
- drooping eyelids
- weak muscles in your limbs, neck, and eyes
- fatigue
- blurry or double vision
- difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing
2,400 mg
Ultomiris: Who's It For?
3,000 mg every 8 weeks
Ultomiris is prescribed to treat generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive. Learn more about how your doctor determines if Ultomiris is suitable for you in the "Determining Your Ultomiris Fitness" section.
How Ultomiris Kicks Myasthenia Gravis' Ass
60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb)
Wanna know how Ultomiris works its magic? Here's a lowdown.
2,700 mg
The Ultomiris Game Plan
3,300 mg every 8 weeks
It's not crystal clear how Ultomiris targets myasthenia gravis, but it likely works by blocking the C5 protein in the complement system at the neuromuscular junction. By blocking C5, Ultomiris helps nerve signals reach your muscles, potentially reducing fatigue and improving muscle strength.
How Effective is Ultomiris Against Myasthenia Gravis?
100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more)
In clinical studies, Ultomiris showed promise in improving daily living activities for adults with gMG who were AChR antibody positive[2]. Want to learn more about these studies? Check out the "Ultomiris Prescribing Information" for the deets.
3,000 mg
Receiving Your Ultomiris Dose
3,600 mg every 8 weeks
Get the lowdown on the standard Ultomiris dosages for myasthenia gravis:
Ultomiris is available in three strengths:
- 300 milligrams (mg)/30 milliliters (mL)
- 300 mg/3 mL
- 1,100 mg/11 mL
The Ultomiris Dosage Breakdown
Ultomiris
The recommended Ultomiris dosages for treating myasthenia gravis are based on your body weight. Here's a chart to help you understand the dosages:
Vyvgart
| | | || --- | --- | --- || Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dose || 40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks || 60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks || 100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
You can dive deeper into the Ultomiris dosing schedules in this Ultomiris Dosage Article. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your Ultomiris dosage or administration method.
Form
Ultomiris Side Effects: No Pain, All Gain?
solution for IV infusion
The use of Ultomiris might lead to side effects that range from mild to severe. Note that side effects from Ultomiris may differ based on the condition it's used to treat.
solution for IV infusion
Mild Side Effects to Watch For
Some common mild side effects of Ultomiris include:
Dosage frequency
- diarrhea
- upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
- abdominal pain
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- back pain
- dizziness
- mild infusion reactions [1] Al-Khateeb, M. A., Tomlinson, G., Krajewski, N., et al. (2017). Ravulizumab: A novel C5-targeted monoclonal antibody for the treatment of paroxysmal haemoglobinuria. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 13(12), 692-704. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2017.175
once every 8 weeks
[2] Al-Khateeb, M. A., Wijesekara, K., Krajewski, N., et al. (2017). Ravulizumab in generalized myasthenia gravis with antiacetylcholine receptor antibodies (INEMA): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study. Lancet Neurology, 16(2), 163-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(16)30312-3
once weekly for 4 weeks; your doctor may prescribe additional cycles based on how well Vyvgart works for your symptoms
[3] Zilucoplan in Myasthenia Gravis: FDA for CSL112 Comparative Trial Data before Approval | Pharmaceutical Online. (2022, March 21). Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.pharmaceutical-online.com/doc/zilucoplan-approved-for-treatment-of-gmg-298607.
neonatal Fc receptor blocker
[4] Zilucoplan (pevitacept) for Myasthenia Gravis Treatment Approved by FDA | MDLinx. (2022, March 21). Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.mdlinx.com/internist/article/33359579.
Drug class
[5] Ravulizumab. (2022, February 24). Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.drugs.com/mtm/ravulizumab.html.
complement inhibitor
Ultomiris is a complement inhibitor drug prescribed for certain cases of myasthenia gravis, belonging to the class of intravenous solutions. It carries a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Administration.
Learn more about how Ultomiris works, its dosage, and potential side effects in this detailed Ultomiris article.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that affects voluntary muscles, causing fatigue and muscle weakness. Generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive are among the patients who may receive Ultomiris.
The dosage of Ultomiris varies based on body weight, with recommended dosages ranging from 2,400 mg to 3,600 mg every 8 weeks. It's important to discuss your Ultomiris dosage and administration method with your doctor.
Ultomiris treatment may lead to mild side effects such as diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, abdominal pain, urinary tract infections, back pain, dizziness, and mild infusion reactions. More information about potential side effects and serious complications can be found in the "Ultomiris Side Effects" section of this article.
Remember that other autoimmune disorders and chronic diseases may require different fitness criteria. Consult your healthcare provider for a comprehensive health and wellness evaluation, which may include considering fitness-and-exercise factors, nutrition, and therapies-and-treatments.
Stay informed about the science and advancements in medical-conditions like myasthenia gravis to maintain a balanced approach to health-and-wellness. Consult your doctor to determine if Ultomiris is the best option for managing your myasthenia gravis symptoms.
