Alefacept Discontinued

Alefacept is a prescription medication used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

• Alefacept is available under the following different brand names: Amevive

Common side effects of Alefacept include:

• difficulty moving
• dizziness
• itching
• joint pain
• muscle ache or cramps
• muscle pain or stiffness
• joint swelling
• headache

Serious side effects of Alefacept include:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• chills
• cough
• fever
• hoarseness
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• body aches or pain
• congestion
• dry or sore throat
• runny nose
• tender or swollen glands in the neck
• trouble swallowing
• voice changes
• arm, back, or jaw pain
• chest pain or pressure
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• nausea
• vomiting
• shortness of breath
• sweating

Rare side effects of Alefacept include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Powder for injection

• 7.5 mg/vial
• 15 mg/vial

Psoriasis

• 15 mg IM every week for 12 weeks
• Regimen of 12 weekly injections recommended
• Retreatment with additional 12-week course may be initiated, based on normal CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and a minimum 12-week interval

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Alefacept has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Alefacept has serious interactions with at least 68 drugs.
• Alefacept has moderate interactions with following drugs:
  • astragalus
  • belatacept
  • denosumab
  • echinacea
  • efgartigimod alfa
  • fingolimod
  • hydroxyurea
  • influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent, recombinant
  • influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant
  • isavuconazonium sulfate
  • maitake
  • meningococcal group B vaccine
  • mercaptopurine
  • ofatumumab SC
  • olaparib
  • poliovirus vaccine inactivated
  • sipuleucel-T
  • ublituximab
  • zoster vaccine recombinant
• Alefacept has minor interactions with no other drugs:

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• CD4+ T lymphocyte count below normal
• HIV pts
• Pts at high risk for malignancy
• Lactation

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Alefacept?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Alefacept?”

Cautions

• Monitor CD4+ T lymph counts weekly; withhold dosing if CD4 less than 250/mcL; discontinue if CD4 less than 250/mcL for one month
• Pts who become pregnant should enroll in the Biogen Pregnancy Registry (1-866-263-8483)
• May increase the risk of malignancies.
• Risk of serious infection, anaphylaxis
• 15 mg lyophilized powder for IM administration; 7.5 mg lyophilized powder for IV administration

Pregnancy and Lactation

• May be acceptable during pregnancy. 
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended.