Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Campath, Lemtrada
- Antineoplastics, Monoclonal Antibody;
- Multiple Sclerosis Treatments
Description
Humanized monoclonal antibody against the CD52 antigen
One product, Lemtrada, is used for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) but is reserved for those with inadequate response to 2 or more drugs due to risk for serious side effects
The product used for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Campath, is only available through a restricted access distribution program
Indications
Indicated as a single agent for treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL)
Indicated for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS); owing to its safety profile, reserve for patients who have an inadequate response to ≥2 other drugs for MS
Contraindications
Campath: None
Lemtrada
Patients infected with HIV,
Hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reactions to alemtuzumab or excipients
Active infection
Adverse Effects
- Rigors (86%)
- Fever (85%)
- Neutropenia (85%)
- Anemia (80%)
- Thrombocytopenia (72%)
- Nausea (54%)
- Vomiting (41%)
- Rash (40%)
- Fatigue (34%)
- Dyspnea (26%)
- Cough (25%)
- Headache (24%)
- Pruritus (24%)
- Sepsis (24%)
- Skeletal pain (24%)
- Diarrhea (22%)
- Anorexia (20%)
- Excessive sweating (19%)
- Pneumonia (16%)
- Dysthesias (15%)
- Stomatitis (14%)
- Asthenia (13%)
- Edema (13%)
- Dizziness (12%)
- Abdominal pain (11%)
- Herpes simplex (11%)
- Hypertension (11%)
- Myalgias (11%)
- Tachycardia, SVT (11%)
- Infusion reactions, all (92%)
- Infections, all (71%)
- Rash (53%)
- Headache (52%)
- Pyrexia (29%)
- Nasopharyngitis (25%)
- Nausea (21%)
- Urinary tract infection (19%)
- Fatigue (18%)
- Insomnia (16%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (16%)
- Herpes viral infection (16%)
- Urticaria (16%)
- Pruritus (14%)
- Thyroid gland disorders (13%)
- Fungal infection (13%)
- Arthralgia (12%)
- Pain in extremity (12%)
- Back pain (12%)
- Diarrhea (12%)
- Sinusitis (11%)
- Oropharyngeal pain (11%)
Warnings
Therapy associated with moderate emetic potential in adults in the oncology setting; may recommend antiemetics to prevent nausea and vomiting
Leukoencephalopathy (PML) reported; withhold therapy immediately for symptoms suggestive of PML
Pregnancy and Lactation
Unknown whether drug can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity; administer to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed
No data on presence of alemtuzumab in human milk, effects on the breastfed infant, or effects of the drug on milk production
Lemtrada: Alemtuzumab was detected in the milk of lactating huCD52 transgenic mice administered drug
Maximum Dosage
Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (Campath): Single doses > 30 mg IV or cumulative weekly doses > 90 mg IV are not recommended.
Treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (Lemtrada): 12 mg/dose IV.
Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (Campath): Single doses > 30 mg IV or cumulative weekly doses > 90 mg IV are not recommended.
Treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (Lemtrada): 12 mg/dose IV.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Available only from a restricted distribution program
Alemtuzumab
injectable solution
- 10mg/mL (Lemtrada; 1.2mL/vial [12mg/1.2mL])
- 30mg/mL (Campath; 1mL/vial)