Myasthenia Gravis Treatment with Ultomiris: Understanding Its Mechanism and Additional Information
Rewritten Article:
Ultomiris, known by its brand name ravulizumab-cwvz, is an intravenous (IV) infusion solution used to tackle myasthenia gravis. Pour over the details about this remarkable medication, including its side effects, dosage, and the workings behind it.
Now, buckle up, and get ready to learn about Ultomiris. While we're onto the topic, let's also take a quick glance at an in-depth Ultomiris article if you're yearning for more information.
Ultomiris is packing a punch as a biologic drug within the drug class called complement inhibitors. You won't find a biosimilar version of Ultomiris. Hungry for more? Read on!
Ultomiris droppings a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – a boxed warning. Skim through the "Before receiving Ultomiris" section to gain a comprehensive understanding of this warning.
Body weight
Myasthenia gravis: The Skinny
Loading dose
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic, long-lasting condition where dysfunctional communication between muscles and nerves leads to muscle fatigue and weakness. This autoimmune disorder tricks the immune system into attacking its own cells.
Maintenance dose
Symptoms of the Grind:
Symptoms of myasthenia gravis vary from person to person and tend to worsen during increased activity. Keep an eye out for:
40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb)
- drooping eyelids
- weakness in limbs, neck, and eyes
- fatigue
- blurry or double vision
- trouble chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing
2,400 mg
Who's Ultomiris Appropriate For?
3,000 mg every 8 weeks
Ultomiris is prescribed to adults with a specific type of myasthenia gravis called generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), who test positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies.
Remember: "generalized" signifies muscle groups throughout the body are affected. On the other hand, ocular myasthenia gravis impacts only the eye muscles.
60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb)
Before prescribing Ultomiris, your healthcare provider may conduct a blood test to check if your gMG is AChR positive. Reach out to your doctor for more information about whether Ultomiris is suitable for your form of myasthenia gravis.
2,700 mg
How Ultomiris Powers through Myasthenia Gravis
3,300 mg every 8 weeks
Ever wondered how Ultomiris works its magic? Although the exact mechanism isn't entirely understood, it's believed that Ultomiris works by blocking the activity of a complement system protein called C5 at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ).
The NMJ is the zone where nerve cells transmit signals to the muscles they control. By decreasing C5 activity at the NMJ, Ultomiris allows nerve signals to reach muscles more effectively, potentially alleviating fatigue and muscle weakness.
100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more)
Ultomiris: A Power Player for Myasthenia Gravis
3,000 mg
Clinical studies show that Ultomiris enhanced the daily living ability of adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are AChR positive.
3,600 mg every 8 weeks
Go one step further and crack open the prescribing information for Ultomiris to learn more about these studies. Your physician or pharmacist can provide insights on how well Ultomiris worked in these trials.
Receiving Your Ultomiris Infusion
Prepare yourself for the following typical Ultomiris dosages and frequencies. Of course, your doctor will recommend the best dosage for your unique situation. Should questions about your dosage or administration linger, feel free to ask your doctor.
Ultomiris is available in three strengths:
Ultomiris
- 300 milligrams (mg)/30 milliliters (mL)
- 300 mg/3 mL
- 1,100 mg/11 mL
Vyvgart
Dosage:
The recommended Ultomiris dosages for myasthenia gravis are based on body weight in kilograms (kg).
Form
Typically, treatment starts with a loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose, usually administered every 8 weeks.
solution for IV infusion
Get a grip on the recommended Ultomiris dosages based on body weight in the following chart:
solution for IV infusion
| | | || --- | --- | --- || Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dose || 40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks || 60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks || 100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
(Notice: In addition to treating myasthenia gravis, Ultomiris is used to treat other conditions. The dosage may vary, so consult your doctor for more details.)
Dosage frequency
How Ultomiris is served:
once every 8 weeks
Ultomiris comes in solution form and is infused intravenously. One of our talented healthcare professionals will administer your Ultomiris infusions at an infusion center.
once weekly for 4 weeks; your doctor may prescribe additional cycles based on how well Vyvgart works for your symptoms
How often Ultomiris is served:
You'll likely receive your maintenance doses every 8 weeks, typically starting 2 weeks after your loading dose.
Drug class
For more information on Ultomiris dosing schedules, consult this Ultomiris dosage article.
complement inhibitor
Side Effects: The Flip Side of Ultomiris
neonatal Fc receptor blocker
Using Ultomiris to manage myasthenia gravis might lead to mild or serious side effects.
Apart from treating myasthenia gravis, Ultomiris is also used for other conditions. It's crucial to note that side effects can differ based on which condition Ultomiris is used to address.
Take a gander at the primary side effects associated with Ultomiris:
Mild side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Common cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and sore throat
- Abdominal pain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Mild infusion reactions including muscle spasms and limb discomfort
These side effects might be temporary but could persist, intensify, or affect you negatively. Should this occur, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects:
While rare, serious side effects have been reported, including:
- Serious infections like COVID-19 and pneumonia
- Severe infusion reactions such as altered blood pressure, shaking, shivering, and fever
- Risk of serious meningococcal infections (see "Before receiving Ultomiris")
Call your doctor immediately if you develop serious side effects while taking Ultomiris. If the side effects seem life-threatening or you suspect a medical emergency, dial 911 or your local emergency number promptly.
Before You Dive into Ultomiris Therapy: Important Considerations
Before you receive Ultomiris for myasthenia gravis, bear in mind that the medication may not be the best fit if you’ve got certain medical conditions or other health factors that might impact your well-being. These precautions help ensure you’re aware of potential risks.
Meningococcal Infection Warning Box:
Ultomiris comes with a boxed warning for the risk of serious meningococcal infections, such as meningitis. These infections can be life-threatening. Symptoms include:
- sudden fever, headache, or stiff neck
- nausea and vomiting
- sensitivity to light
- confusion
- drowsiness
What to Do:
Before commencing Ultomiris treatment for myasthenia gravis, your doctor will make sure you’ve received the most recent meningococcal vaccines. Delayer your treatment by at least 2 weeks if vaccination hasn't been done yet unless urgent treatment is vital. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for 2 weeks to help prevent infections.
The risk of serious meningococcal infections persists throughout treatment with Ultomiris and continues for at least 8 months after the final dose. Contact your doctor instantly if you notice symptoms of a meningococcal infection throughout this period, but call 911 or rush to the nearest emergency room if your symptoms seem life-threatening.
Due to this risk, Ultomiris is accessible only under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program. This program necessitates healthcare providers to enroll, counsel patients about meningococcal infection risks, and provide a patient safety card.
For additional information about the Ultomiris REMS program, don't hesitate to visit the program website or dial 1-888-765-4747.
- Ultomiris, a biologic drug within the complement inhibitors drug class, is used to treat myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes muscle fatigue and weakness.
- While Ultomiris is effective for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), it may not be suitable for ocular myasthenia gravis, which only affects eye muscles.
- Apart from treating myasthenia gravis, Ultomiris may be used to address other autoimmune disorders and neurological conditions, but its side effects and dosing may vary for these uses.
- Clinical studies have shown that Ultomiris can enhance daily living abilities for adults with gMG, and it is typically administered every 8 weeks via intravenous infusion.
- Potential side effects of Ultomiris include mild symptoms like diarrhea, cold-like symptoms, and infusion reactions, as well as serious side effects such as serious infections, severe infusion reactions, and the risk of meningococcal infections.
