How is it used?

Before taking

While taking

Warnings

Efalizumab is used to treat chronic (long-term) plaque psoriasis (a skin disease in which red scaly patches form on some areas of the body) in patients who cannot be treated with medications that are applied to the skin. Efalizumab is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by stopping the action of cells in the body that cause the symptoms of psoriasis.

Efalizumab comes as a powder to mix with sterile water and inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected once a week. You should inject efalizumab on the same day every week. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use efalizumab exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of efalizumab and increase your dose after one week.

You can inject efalizumab yourself or have a friend or relative give the injections. Your doctor will train the person who will be injecting the medication, and will test him or her to be sure that person can give the injections correctly. Be sure that you and the person who will be giving the injections read the manufacturer's information for the patient that comes with efalizumab before you use it for the first time at home.

If you are injecting efalizumab yourself, you can inject it anywhere on your thighs or stomach. If someone else will be giving you your injections, he or she can also inject the medication anywhere on the back of your upper arms or buttocks. To reduce the chances of soreness or redness, choose a different area for each injection. If your doctor has told you to use two injections for each dose, choose two spots that are at least 1 inch apart. Do not inject efalizumab near a vein that you can see through the surface of the skin. Try to inject efalizumab in skin that is free of symptoms of psoriasis.

Never mix efalizumab powder with any liquid other than the sterile water provided. Never add any other medications to the syringe you will use to inject efalizumab.

Never reuse needles, syringes, vials of efalizumab, or syringes of sterile water. You can throw away used alcohol pads, needle caps, and vials in the trash. Throw away used needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant container out of the reach of children. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to do with the puncture-resistant container when it is full.

Efalizumab controls chronic plaque psoriasis but does not cure it. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefit of efalizumab. Do not stop taking efalizumab without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

This information being provided is copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., ASHP, Bethesda, Maryland.
©2010. All Rights Reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.

Source:  ConsumerReportsHealth.org  Copyright © 2005-2010 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.