Because alefacept induces dose-dependent reductions in circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts, do not initiate therapy in patients with a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count below normal. Because alefacept is an immunosuppressive agent, it may increase the risk of infection and reactivate latent, chronic infections.

How to Take Alefacept

Take Alefacept exactly as prescribed by health care provider. Alefacept is generally available in market in the form of Powder for injection, lyophilized 7.5 mg, Powder for injection, lyophilized 15 mg. Dose is administered once weekly. Do not add other medications to solution. Rotate IM injection sites (thigh, abdomen, upper arm). Give new injections at least 1 inch from old site and never into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard.

Indications for Alefacept Drug

Treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy orphototherapy.

Contraindications for Alefacept Drug

Standard considerations.

Interactions of Alefacept with other drugs

Do not add other medications to solutions containing alefacept and do not reconstitute with other diluents.

What are the Side Effects of Alefacept -

Like other medicines, Alefacept can cause side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Alefacept include

* Dizziness; nausea.

* Pruritus.

* Pharyngitis; increased cough.

* Hypersensitivity reactions (eg, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactic reactions);

* Coronary artery disorder; MI.

* malignancies; serious infections; lymphopenia; myalgia; chills; injection site reactions (eg, pain, inflammation, bleeding, edema, nonspecific reaction, mass, skin hypersensitivity);

* accidental injury.

Warnings and precautions before taking Alefacept :

* Instruct women before using Alefacept to notify health care provider if pregnant or planning to become pregnant during and for 8 wk following discontinuation of therapy.

* Advise patient before using Alefacept to report any of the following symptoms to health care provider: intolerable injection site reactions, fever or other signs of infection, sore throat.

* Monitor patient before using Alefacept for CNS, GI, respiratory, and general body side effects, and injection site reactions. Report to health care provider if noted and significant.

* Advise women before using Alefacept to inform health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Alefacept. Insulin is recommended to maintain blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Prolonged severe neonatal hypoglycemia can occur if sulfonylureas are administered at time of delivery.

* Instruct patient before using Alefacept to not take any prescription or OTC medications or dietary supplements unless advised to do so by health care provider.

What if Overdose of Alefacept ?

If you think you or anyone else taken overdose of Alefacept , immediately telephone your doctor or contact your local or regional Poisons Information Centre Seek medical attention immediately. You may need urgent medical attention. Chills, headache, arthralgia, sinusitis are may be the overdose symptoms of Alefacept.

What if Missed Dose of Alefacept ?

If you miss a dose of Alefacept medicine and you remember within an hour or so, take the dose immediately. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage Conditions for Alefacept :

Store dose tray with lyophilized powder at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F). Store in original carton until time of use. Protect from light. Use reconstituted product immediately or within 4 hr if stored in refrigerator (36° to 46°F). Discard if not used within 4 hr of reconstitution.

By: ashu