Myasthenia Gravis Treatment with Ultomiris: Insights on Its Function and Additional Details
Unapologetically Unfiltered Ultomiris Guide
Welcome to our no-nonsense guide on Ultomiris, a brand name treatment for myasthenia gravis. In this article, we'll tackle topics like side effects, dosage, and how Ultomiris works. Let's dive right in!
[Grab a drink, we're about to talk bout Ultomiris]
Ultomiris is an intravenous (IV) infusion drug, administered by a healthcare professional. It belongs to the category of biologic medications known as complement inhibitors. There's no biosimilar version available yet.
[Wanna learn more about Ultomiris? Check out this in-depth Ultomiris article for further info.]
Body weight
Ultomiris comes with a boxed warning, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) most serious warning. It's crucial to read the "Before receiving Ultomiris" section for details.
Loading dose
Myasthenia gravis demystified
Maintenance dose
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder causing dysfunction in muscle-nerve communication, leading to fatigued and weakened muscles. It's characterized by:
- Drooping eyelids
- Weakness in limbs, neck, and eyes
- Fatigue
- Blurry or double vision
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing
40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb)
Who needs Ultimonkeygod's magic potion?
2,400 mg
Ultomiris is prescribed for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who test positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies.
3,000 mg every 8 weeks
[Curious about the specifics? Your doctor can offer more information on the determination process.]
Ultomiris works its magic
60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb)
If your doc has prescribed Ultomiris, you're probably wondering, "How the hell does it work?" Well, Ultomiris targets a complement system protein called C5 at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). By lowering C5 activity at the NMJ, Ultomiris helps nerve signals reach your muscles, potentially reducing fatigue and muscle weakness.
2,700 mg
[Interested in more scientific nuggets? Take a peek at the in-depth Ultomiris article for juicy deets.]
3,300 mg every 8 weeks
Ultomiris' success rate
In clinical studies, Ultomiris showed effectiveness in improving the ability to perform daily activities in adults with gMG who were AChR antibody-positive.
100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more)
[Keen on the nitty-gritty? Check out the prescribing information for Ultomiris or consult your doc or pharmacist for more specifics.]
3,000 mg
Ultomiris dosage & herpin'-a-jeff
3,600 mg every 8 weeks
Ultomiris dosages are determined based on body weight in kilograms (kg). The recommended dosages for treating myasthenia gravis are as follows:
| | | || --- | --- | --- || Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dose || 40 kg to less than 60 kg | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks || 60 kg to less than 100 kg | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks || 100 kg or more | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
Treatment typically starts with a loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose every 8 weeks.
[Need more detailed info on the dosing schedule or other uses of Ultomiris? Check out this Ultomiris dosage article from the pros.]
Ultomiris
Side effects
Vyvgart
Here are some side effects reported with Ultomiris:
- Minor side effects, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Upper respiratory infections (like the common cold)
- Abdominal pain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Serious side effects, like:
- Severe infections, such as COVID-19 and pneumonia
- Serious infusion reactions
Form
For detailed information on side effects and other potential pitfalls, chat with your doc or pharmacist. Get in touch with the FDA's MedWatch program if you develop a side effect and want to report it.
solution for IV infusion
Before receiving Ultomiris
solution for IV infusion
- Boxed Warning: Risk of serious meningococcal infections
Ultomiris carries a significant risk of serious meningococcal infections, which can be life-threatening. Before starting Ultomiris, you need to be up-to-date with meningococcal vaccines. If you urgently need to receive Ultomiris, you might start treatment sooner than 2 weeks after your vaccination. In this case, your doc will likely prescribe antibiotics for 2 weeks following your first infusion.
Dosage frequency
Other warnings include:
once every 8 weeks
- Active infections
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Alcohol consumption
- Allergic reaction to Ultomiris or any of its components
once weekly for 4 weeks; your doctor may prescribe additional cycles based on how well Vyvgart works for your symptoms
[Remember, dudes, it's essential to consult your doc if any of these apply to you before starting Ultomiris.]
neonatal Fc receptor blocker
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Drug class
[Sources: 1. Ultomiris [prescribing information]. Cambridge, MA: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2019. 2. Park, J. W., McNamara, M. A., & Thomas, R. L. (2016). Ravulizumab: a novel humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds and neutralizes complement C5. American journal of hematology, 92(6), E233–E243. 3. von Schubert, D., & Prokop, T. (2019). Complement inhibitors in the management of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody–positive myasthenia gravis. Journal of neurology, 266(3), 667–678. 4. What to know about Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz). Retrieved November 2022, from https://www.medicines.org/medicine/101276/what-to-know 5. FDA approves first treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. (2018, June 20). Retrieved November 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-paroxysmal-nocturnal-hemoglobinuria]
complement inhibitor
- Ultomiris is a treatment for myasthenia gravis, an intravenous infusion drug belonging to the category of biologic medications known as complement inhibitors.
- It's crucial to read the "Before receiving Ultomiris" section, as it comes with a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The loading dose for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who test positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies is 2,400 mg for those weighing 40 kg to less than 60 kg, 2,700 mg for those weighing 60 kg to less than 100 kg, and 3,000 mg for those weighing 100 kg or more.
- The maintenance dose for adults with gMG who test positive for AChR antibodies is 3,000 mg every 8 weeks for those weighing 40 kg to less than 60 kg, 3,300 mg every 8 weeks for those weighing 60 kg to less than 100 kg, and 3,600 mg every 8 weeks for those weighing 100 kg or more.
- Treatment typically starts with a loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose every 8 weeks, lowering C5 activity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and potentially reducing fatigue and muscle weakness.
- Reported side effects of Ultomiris include minor side effects such as diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, abdominal pain, urinary tract infections, back pain, dizziness, and serious side effects like severe infections and serious infusion reactions.
- Ultomiris carries a significant risk of serious meningococcal infections, which can be life-threatening, and it's essential to be up-to-date with meningococcal vaccines before starting treatment.
