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Ravulizumab-Cwvz

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Warning

Ravulizumab can lower your body's ability to fight infections. This increases your chance of getting very serious (possibly fatal) infections (especially meningitis or sepsis). Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, high fever, chills, severe headache, stiff neck, mental/mood changes (such as confusion), eye sensitivity to light.

You should receive the vaccine for meningitis (meningococcal vaccine) at least 2 weeks before receiving this medication. If you have been vaccinated for meningitis in the past, ask your doctor if you should get another vaccination (booster shot) before receiving this medication. Vaccines may not fully protect everyone who receives them, so you should still watch for signs of meningitis after you get the vaccine.

To receive this medication in the United States, you must understand, agree to, and carefully follow the requirements of the REMS Program. If you live in Canada or any other country, consult your doctor and pharmacist for your country's regulations.

Precautions

Before using ravulizumab, 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.

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

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Ravulizumab can make you more likely to get certain infections (such as flu, colds, meningitis). Talk to your doctor for more details.

Tell your doctor your vaccine history and ask if you need to get any vaccines before starting treatment with this medication. Tell your health care professional that you are using ravulizumab before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug and for 8 months after the last dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Side Effects

See also Warning and How to Use sections.

Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, or muscle/joint pain may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

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Information expires December 2024.