In light of the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the National MS Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee has just published recommendations for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the use of some therapies.1
Soliris® (eculizumab) is a medicine known as a complement inhibitor.2 It is designed to work in a very specific part of the immune system. In the clinical trials, the respiratory viral infections were consistent with the types of infections common in the general population and were not serious in nature and patients stayed on Soliris treatment.2,3
Although Soliris has not been studied with every vaccination currently available, there are no known concerns with receiving recommended vaccines while taking Soliris.2,4
Based on the way Soliris works, safety data compiled from thousands of patients, and over 10 years of experience, it does not appear that patients treated with Soliris have a higher risk of developing a coronaviral infection or that the course of their infection would be worse than if they had not received Soliris.3,5
Viral respiratory infections were observed in the Alexion-sponsored clinical trials for Soliris.2 Those viral respiratory infections were the same type of respiratory viral infections that are typically seen in the general population, like the common cold. In the trials, the viral respiratory infections were not serious in nature and all resolved without the patient having to discontinue treatment with Soliris.2,3
It is important to note that Soliris patients are at increased risk for developing meningococcal infections, which have some of the same early symptoms as COVID-19.2
If you develop a headache and fever or have muscle aches with flu-like symptoms (or any symptoms as described on the patient safety card), call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical treatment, as these could be signs of a meningococcal infection that requires immediate medical attention. If you’re unable to reach your doctor, immediately seek emergency medical treatment and show “Patient Safety Card” to emergency staff at the hospital.
Please see the full CDC recommendations for COVID-19 for information about populations that may be at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19.
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Moving forward,
For more information on the evolving COVID-19 situation, please monitor public health authority websites, such as www.cdc.gov or www.who.int.
References:
US/SOL-N/0154
Your doctor will give you a Patient Safety Card about the risk of meningococcal infection. Carry it with you at all times during treatment and for 3 months after your last SOLIRIS dose. Your risk of meningococcal infection may continue for several weeks after your last dose of SOLIRIS. It is important to show this card to any doctor or nurse who treats you. This will help them diagnose and treat you quickly.
SOLIRIS may also increase the risk of other types of serious infections. Certain people may be at risk of serious infections with gonorrhea. Talk to your doctor about whether you are at risk for gonorrhea infection, about gonorrhea prevention, and regular testing. Certain fungal infections (Aspergillus) may also happen if you take SOLIRIS and have a weak immune system or a low white blood cell count.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. SOLIRIS and other medicines can affect each other causing side effects.
Know the medications you take and the vaccines you receive. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
If you have an allergic reaction to SOLIRIS, your doctor may need to infuse SOLIRIS more slowly, or stop SOLIRIS. See “How will I receive SOLIRIS?” in the Medication Guide.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of SOLIRIS. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
It is not known if SOLIRIS is safe and effective in children with NMOSD.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for SOLIRIS, including Boxed WARNING regarding serious and life-threatening meningococcal infections.
Your doctor will give you a Patient Safety Card about the risk of meningococcal infection. Carry it with you at all times during treatment and for 3 months after your last SOLIRIS dose. Your risk of meningococcal infection may continue for several weeks after your last dose of SOLIRIS. It is important to show this card to any doctor or nurse who treats you. This will help them diagnose and treat you quickly.
SOLIRIS may also increase the risk of other types of serious infections. Certain people may be at risk of serious infections with gonorrhea. Talk to your doctor about whether you are at risk for gonorrhea infection, about gonorrhea prevention, and regular testing. Certain fungal infections (Aspergillus) may also happen if you take SOLIRIS and have a weak immune system or a low white blood cell count.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. SOLIRIS and other medicines can affect each other causing side effects.
Know the medications you take and the vaccines you receive. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
If you have an allergic reaction to SOLIRIS, your doctor may need to infuse SOLIRIS more slowly, or stop SOLIRIS. See “How will I receive SOLIRIS?” in the Medication Guide.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of SOLIRIS. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
It is not known if SOLIRIS is safe and effective in children with NMOSD.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for SOLIRIS, including Boxed WARNING regarding serious and life-threatening meningococcal infections.