Alemtuzumab, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer); monoclonal antibody

Generic and brand names: alemtuzumab, injection; Campath

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat a form of cancer called B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A weakened immune system from cancer treatment, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or from taking steroid medicines or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• A blood disorder or bleeding problems
• Heart disease

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of infection such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, chills, or mouth sores before or after starting this medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not become pregnant while receiving this medicine. Use effective birth control during this treatment and for 6 months after you stop treatment. Do not breast-feed while receiving this medicine and for several months after your last dose. Ask your healthcare provider when you can safely breast-feed after you stop treatment.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by your healthcare provider. The IV infusion is usually given over a 2-hour period. Your healthcare provider will explain your treatment schedule. Usually, the dose is gradually increased daily over 3 to 7 days, then given 3 times a week. The length of this treatment will depend on how well you respond and how you tolerate this medicine. You may be given medicine to help lessen side effects. You will be watched closely by a healthcare provider while you are getting the infusion. Be sure to keep all appointments for the infusions.

This medicine affects your ability to fight infections. Your healthcare provider will prescribe other medicines to prevent infection while you are receiving this medicine and for several months after stopping this medicine. Take all medicines exactly as prescribed.

What should I watch out for?

This is a very strong medicine. It may cause serious or life-threatening infusion reactions or side effects. Make sure you understand the risks and benefits of this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

During the infusion you may have dizziness and lightheadedness, stiffening of your muscles, fever, shortness of breath, chills, nausea, vomiting, itching, or rash. Tell your healthcare provider how you are feeling during the infusions. Your healthcare provider can give you medicine to lessen or prevent these effects.

You will have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine may be affecting you. Keep all appointments for tests.

You may bleed or bruise more easily, or get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness or weakness, fever, cough, sore throat, or other signs of infection. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Your healthcare provider will give you medicines to prevent pneumonia called PCP and herpes virus infections while you are taking this medicine and for at least 2 months after you stop. Do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves. It may increase the risk of bleeding.

This medicine may make you dehydrated. Drink water while you are receiving this medicine as instructed by your healthcare provider.

Both women and men should use effective birth control during treatment and for 6 months after treatment with this medicine is over.

This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Fever, chills, sore throat, increased sweating, unexplained bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness or weakness, severe dizziness or fainting, swelling in your legs or arms, fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, mouth sores, severe nausea or vomiting, severe diarrhea, trouble urinating.

Other: Weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, mild dizziness, trouble sleeping, anxiety, back pain, joint or muscle pain, headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Vaccines

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.