Myasthenia Gravis Treatment: Exploring the Function of Ultomiris, Details Included
Sassy Assistant:
Ultomiris, with the label of ravulizumab-cwvz, is a posh medically-fortified IV solution that's whipped up for your Myasthenia Gravis. This article will shine some light on side effects, dosage, and how this fancy biological treat tackles its target condition.
Ultomiris is, quite honestly, a big ol' biologic and belongs to a drug family called complement inhibitors. There's no generic copycat of this shindig, so you're stuck with the fancy brand name.
Read on, darling, for the full tee on Ultomiris. You can also check out this detailed Ultomiris article if you're just dying for more info.
Ultomiris comes with a scary boxed warning, the most severe FDA red flag. To find out exactly what that means, check out the "Before Receiving Ultomiris" section.
Body weight
Myasthenia Gravis Explained
Loading dose
Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic condition. Your muscles and nerves have a nasty habit of miscommunicating, leading to them tiring out quicker than normal and weakening. It's an autoimmune disorder, meaning your body attacks its own cells instead of keeping unwanted invaders at bay.
Maintenance dose
Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis symptoms vary a damn sight from person to person, but they tend to worsen with activity and improve during rest. Symptoms like droopy eyelids, weak muscles in your arms, neck, and eyes, fatigue, blurry or double vision, difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing aren't exactly a walk in the park.
40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb)
Who Ultomiris is Prescribed For
2,400 mg
Ultomiris is for you if you have generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) and test positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. Basically, that means your immune system's gone rogue, making antibodies that block the acetylcholine receptors found at the neuromuscular junction.
3,000 mg every 8 weeks
Your doctor might run a blood test to confirm if your gMG is AChR antibody-positive before prescribing Ultomiris. They can spill the beans on whether Ultomiris is suitable for treating your specific case of Myasthenia Gravis.
How Ultomiris Treats Myasthenia Gravis
60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb)
If your doctor prescribes Ultomiris for your Myasthenia Gravis, you probably wanna know how this fancy medicine works.
2,700 mg
The Way Ultomiris Works
3,300 mg every 8 weeks
While the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, Ultomiris is thought to work by blocking the activity of a complement system protein known as C5 at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). This helps nerve signals reach your muscles better, reducing fatigue and muscle weakness and potentially boosting strength.
How Well Ultomiris Works for Myasthenia Gravis
100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more)
In clinical studies, Ultomiris has effectively boosted the ability for individuals with generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) to carry out daily activities. To learn more about these studies, check out the "Prescribing Information for Ultomiris" on the low. Your doctor or pharmacist can also fill you in on the deets.
3,000 mg
Receiving Ultomiris for Myasthenia Gravis
3,600 mg every 8 weeks
Here's the down-low on Ultomiris dosage and how it's administered. Remember, your doctor will recommend the best dosage for you. If you have questions about your Ultomiris dosage or how it'll be administered, get in touch with your doctor.
Ultomiris comes in three different strengths:
- 300 mg/30 mL
- 300 mg/3 mL
- 1,100 mg/11 mL
Dosage
Ultomiris
The recommended Ultomiris dosages for treating Myasthenia Gravis are based on your weight in kilograms (kg). Since one kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds (lb), it's easier to stick to the kilogram system.
Vyvgart
Ultomiris treatment typically begins with a loading dose. After two weeks, you'll continue with maintenance doses, generally given every 8 weeks.
Check out the chart below for recommended Ultomiris dosages based on weight:
Form
| | | || --- | --- | --- || Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dose || 40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks || 60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks || 100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
solution for IV infusion
How Ultomiris is Given
solution for IV infusion
Ultomiris comes as a solution for IV infusion. A healthcare professional will administer your Ultomiris infusions at an infusion center.
How Often Ultomiris is Given
Dosage frequency
You typically receive your maintenance doses every 8 weeks. You'll likely start receiving maintenance doses two weeks after your loading dose.
once every 8 weeks
For more information about Ultomiris dosage schedules, check out this Ultomiris dosage article.
once weekly for 4 weeks; your doctor may prescribe additional cycles based on how well Vyvgart works for your symptoms
Mild side effects of Ultomiris may include:
Drug class
- diarrhea
- upper respiratory infection (like the common cold)
- abdominal pain
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- back pain
- dizziness
- mild infusion reactions (such as muscle spasms, discomfort in your arms or legs)
complement inhibitor
Serious side effects of Ultomiris may include:
neonatal Fc receptor blocker
- serious infections (including COVID-19 and pneumonia)
- serious infusion reactions (including severe shivering, excessive sweating, fever, and increased or decreased blood pressure)
Call your doctor right away if you develop serious side effects while using Ultomiris. If the side effects appear life-threatening or you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Before Receiving Ultomiris
Before you receive Ultomiris, there are some essential facts to consider. Ultomiris might not be safe for certain medical conditions or health factors.
Boxed Warning: Risk of Serious Meningococcal Infections
Ultomiris carries a severe boxed warning due to the high risk of serious meningococcal infections, which can be life-threatening. Vaccination against meningococcal infections is crucial before starting treatment with Ultomiris. If urgent treatment is required, antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent infections for the first two weeks following your first Ultomiris infusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Ultomiris for treating Myasthenia Gravis.
How does Ultomiris compare to Vyvgart?
Ultomiris and Vyvgart have similar uses for treating Myasthenia Gravis, but some differences exist in form, dosing frequency, and drug class. Your doctor or pharmacist can offer more information on how Ultomiris and Vyvgart compare for Myasthenia Gravis treatment.
- Ultomiris, a biologic belonging to the complement inhibitors drug family, doesn't have a generic equivalent, making it a brand-specific treatment.
- Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body's own cells, resulting in muscle and nerve miscommunication and weakening.
- Ultomiris is prescribed for individuals with generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies, as it helps reduce fatigue and muscle weakness.
- A doctor might run a blood test to confirm whether gMG is AChR antibody-positive before prescribing Ultomiris.
- The exact mechanism of how Ultomiris works isn't fully understood, but it's thought to block the activity of a complement system protein at the neuromuscular junction to help nerve signals reach muscles better.
- In clinical studies, Ultomiris has shown effectiveness in improving the ability of people with gMG to perform daily activities.
- Other autoimmune disorders and neurological disorders might require different treatments, and it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper guidance.
- When considering alternate treatments, one might look into biosimilars or consider complementary therapies like CBD oil for managing symptoms, but always consult a doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness regimen.
