DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Alefacept (a-LE-fa-sept)
Brand Name: Amevive

Alefacept is used for:

Treating moderate to severe psoriasis.

Alefacept is an immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing the activity of immune cells and decreasing the rate of skin cell multiplication.

Do NOT use Alefacept if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Alefacept
• you have HIV or you are taking a medicine that can suppress your immune system (eg, cancer chemotherapy, prednisone, cyclosporine) or receiving phototherapy

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Alefacept :

Some medical conditions may interact with Alefacept . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of cancer, an infection (eg, pneumonia, skin infections, tuberculosis) or an infection that keeps coming back, or an immune system disorder (immunosuppression)
• if you have liver problems, herpes, or syphilis
• if you have or are at high risk of developing tumors
• if you are scheduled to receive a vaccination

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Alefacept . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Certain immunosuppressants (eg, chemotherapy, prednisone, methotrexate , cyclosporine) or phototherapy because too much immune system suppression may occur, increasing risk of side effects including risk of infection

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Alefacept may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Alefacept :

Use Alefacept as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Alefacept comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Alefacept refilled.
• Alefacept is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Alefacept at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• Alefacept is given by intramuscular (IM) injection once weekly. Plan your injection on the same day each week to help you remember to administer it.
• Do not shake Alefacept . This will prevent foaming of the medicine.
• If Alefacept contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Rotate injection sites. Each injection should be given at least 1 inch from an old site. An injection should not be given into an area of skin that is sore, bruised, red, or hard.
• Use Alefacept on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Alefacept , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Alefacept .

Important safety information:

• Alefacept may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Alefacept . Using Alefacept alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines (eg, measles, mumps, oral polio) while you are taking Alefacept . Avoid contact with people who have recently received the oral polio vaccine.
• Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Alefacept .
• Alefacept may slightly increase your risk of developing a cancer. Contact your health care provider at once if you develop signs or symptoms of a tumor or infection.
• Lab tests, including white blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Alefacept . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Alefacept with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Alefacept is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Alefacept while you are pregnant. Notify your doctor if you become pregnant while using Alefacept or within 8 weeks after stopping treatment. It is not known if Alefacept is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Alefacept .

Possible side effects of Alefacept :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; increased cough; muscle aches or pain; nausea; pain or swelling at the injection site; sore throat or throat inflammation.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; chills; dark urine or pale stools; fever; loss of appetite; new or altered skin lesions or spots; painful or frequent urination; persistent nausea; persistent sore throat; serious infections; stomach pain; swollen glands; tiredness; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps; unusual vaginal discharge; vomiting; white patches in the mouth (oral thrush); yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chills; headache; joint pain.

Proper storage of Alefacept :

Alefacept is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Alefacept at home, store Alefacept as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Alefacept out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Alefacept , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Alefacept is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Alefacept . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.