Soliris (Eculizumab) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

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Soliris

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Soliris®
(eculizumab)

WARNING

SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with Soliris. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early (5.1).

Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients with complement deficiencies.
Immunize patients with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to administering the first dose of Soliris, unless the risks of delaying Soliris therapy outweigh the risk of developing a meningococcal infection. (See Serious Meningococcal Infections for additional guidance on the management of the risk of meningococcal infection.)
Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected.

Soliris is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Under the Soliris REMS, prescribers must enroll in the program (5.2). Enrollment in the Soliris REMS program and additional information are available by telephone: 1-888-SOLIRIS (1-888-765-4747).

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Soliris, a complement inhibitor, is a formulation of eculizumab which is a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG2/4κ antibody produced by murine myeloma cell culture and purified by standard bioprocess technology. Eculizumab contains human constant regions from human IgG2 sequences and human IgG4 sequences and murine complementarity-determining regions grafted onto the human framework light- and heavy-chain variable regions. Eculizumab is composed of two 448 amino acid heavy chains and two 214 amino acid light chains and has a molecular weight of approximately 148 kDa.

Soliris is a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free 10 mg/mL solution for intravenous infusion and is supplied in 30-mL single-use vials. The product is formulated at pH 7 and each vial contains 300 mg of eculizumab, 13.8 mg sodium phosphate monobasic, 53.4 mg sodium phosphate dibasic, 263.1 mg sodium chloride, 6.6 mg polysorbate 80 (vegetable origin) and Water for Injection, USP.

What are the possible side effects of eculizumab (Soliris)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

severe headache with fever, confusion, purple spots on the skin, nausea or vomiting, and/or seizure (convulsions);
stiffness in your neck or back;
sensitivity to bright light;
high fever (103 degrees or higher), chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
any signs...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Soliris »

What are the precautions when taking eculizumab (Soliris)?

Before using eculizumab, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: current meningitis or other infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, no vaccination for meningitis.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current/recent infection.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

Do not have...

Read All Potential Precautions of Soliris »

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/30/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.