How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Evinacumab belongs to the class of medications called angiopoetin-like Protein 3 inhibitors. It is used to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in adults and children as young as 5 years of age. HoFH is a condition where the body is not able to remove “bad” cholesterol (LDL) from the body, leading to heart disease at a young age.
Evinacumab works by helping the body to use and breakdown LDL, reducing the amount of LDL in the body.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each single-use vial of clear-to-slightly-opalescent, colourless-to-pale-yellow sterile solution contains either 345 mg/2.3 mL (150 mg/mL) or 1,200 mg/8 mL (150 mg/mL) of evinacumab. Nonmedicinal ingredients: L-arginine hydrochloride, L-histidine, L-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate, L-proline, Polysorbate 80, and water for injection.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended dose of evinacumab is based on body weight and calculated as 15 mg per kilogram of body weight. This dose is given once every 4 weeks.
It is injected intravenously (into a vein) by a health care professional, usually in a clinical setting such as a hospital clinic, over approximately one hour. This process is called an intravenous infusion. You should keep all your appointments and follow-ups as recommended by your doctor.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive evinacumab, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
Store this medication in the fridge, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to evinacumab or any ingredients of the medication.
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- abdominal pain
- back pain
- constipation
- decreased energy
- dizziness
- fatigue
- flu- or cold-like symptoms (e.g., runny nose, nasal congestion, severe fatigue, sore throat)
- itchiness at the injection site
- leg or arm pain
- nausea
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Allergic reactions: As with other monoclonal antibodies, evinacumab may cause your body to produce antibodies to "defend" your body from the medication. When this happens, an allergic reaction develops. Often, allergic reactions are experienced as a rash, hives or itching. On rare occasions, a severe allergic reaction may occur, causing difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the throat (anaphylaxis). If you experience any of these symptoms, while receiving the infusion or afterwards, let your medical team know immediately.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. People who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while using this medication and for 5 months after the last dose.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if evinacumab passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 5 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Evkeeza
