A Tough, Unbiased Take on Ultomiris
Myasthenia Gravis Treatment with Ultomiris: Insights into Its Mechanism, Details Included
Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) is a infusion medicine that your doctor might prescribe for myasthenia gravis. Here's what you need to know about Ultomiris, including how it works, side effects, dosage, and more.
Ultomiris is an IV drip solution administered by a healthcare professional. It belongs to a drug group called complement inhibitors and currently doesn't have a generic or biosimilar version.
Read on for a rundown on Ultomiris. For more detailed info, check out this in-depth Ultomiris guide.
Ultomiris carries a black box warning, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) most serious safety alert. The warning is due to the increased risk of severe meningococcal infections, which can be life-threatening. Learn more in the "Before getting Ultomiris" section below.
Body weight
Myasthenia Gravis Explained
Loading dose
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes problems with muscle and nerve communication, leading to quick and weak voluntary muscle tiring.
Maintenance dose
Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis
Symptoms vary person to person and worsen during activity but improve with rest. These include droopy eyelids, weak limbs, fatigue, blurry vision, difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking, and breathing problems.
40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb)
Who Gets Ultomiris
2,400 mg
Ultomiris is for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who test positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. Generalized means multiple muscle groups are involved; ocular myasthenia gravis, which affects only eye muscles, is not relevant here.
3,000 mg every 8 weeks
Before prescribing Ultomiris, your doctor might order a blood test to confirm whether your myasthenia gravis is AChR antibody positive. Your doctor can explain how they'll determine whether Ultomiris is suitable for you.
How Ultomiris Helps Myasthenia Gravis
60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb)
Need to know more about how Ultomiris fights myasthenia gravis? Here's a quick explanation:
2,700 mg
How Ultomiris Works
3,300 mg every 8 weeks
Ultomiris' exact workings aren't fully understood, but it's thought to lower the activity of a complement system protein called C5 at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The NMJ is where nerve cells communicate with the muscles they control. By quieting C5 at the NMJ, Ultomiris allows nerve signals to reach your muscles, potentially reducing fatigue and muscle weakness and improving strength.
How Well Ultomiris Works for Myasthenia Gravis
100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more)
In clinical trials, Ultomiris showed significant improvement in daily activities for adults with gMG who tested positive for AChR antibodies. Consult the Ultomiris prescribing information for more details. Your doctor or pharmacist can also share information on how well Ultomiris worked in these studies.
3,000 mg
Getting Ultomiris for Myasthenia Gravis
3,600 mg every 8 weeks
Want to know more about Ultomiris dosages and how it's given? Find the info below. Speak up if you have questions about your Ultomiris dosage or treatment method.
Dosages
Ultomiris comes in three strengths: 300mg/30ml, 300mg/3ml, and 1,100mg/11ml.
Treatment usually starts with a loading dose, followed by maintenance doses every 8 weeks, starting 2 weeks after the loading dose.
Ultomiris
Recommended dosages based on body weight (include conversions to pounds for easy understanding):
Vyvgart
- 40-60 kg (88-132 lbs): 2,400mg (loading); 3,000mg every 8 weeks (maintenance)
- 60-100 kg (132-220 lbs): 2,700mg (loading); 3,300mg every 8 weeks (maintenance)
- 100+ kg (220+ lbs): 3,000mg (loading); 3,600mg every 8 weeks (maintenance)
How Ultomiris is Given
Form
Ultomiris is an IV drip solution administered by healthcare professionals, usually at an infusion center.
solution for IV infusion
How Often Ultomiris is Given
solution for IV infusion
You typically receive maintenance doses every 8 weeks after the loading dose.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ultomiris
Dosage frequency
Find answers to common questions about Ultomiris below.
once every 8 weeks
How Does Ultomiris Compare to Vyvgart?
once weekly for 4 weeks; your doctor may prescribe additional cycles based on how well Vyvgart works for your symptoms
Ultomiris and Vyvgart are both prescribed for treating myasthenia gravis, but they have different dosing frequencies and drug classes:
| | Ultomiris | Vyvgart || --- | --- | --- || Form | IV infusion solution | IV infusion solution || Dosage frequency | every 8 weeks | weekly for 4 weeks, may repeat cycles based on symptom response || Drug class | complement inhibitor | neonatal Fc receptor blocker |
Drug class
Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more information on how the two medications differ.
complement inhibitor
Can I Get Ultomiris Infusions at Home?
neonatal Fc receptor blocker
Yes, Ultomiris home infusions are possible. Talk to your doctor to explore this option and determine if it's right for you.
- Ultomiris is an IV drip solution that belongs to the drug group called complement inhibitors and is administered by healthcare professionals.
- It is a medicine that might be prescribed for myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting muscle and nerve communication, and currently doesn't have a generic or biosimilar version.
- Ultomiris carries a black box warning due to the increased risk of severe meningococcal infections, which can be life-threatening.
- Ultomiris is for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis who test positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and is typically given every 8 weeks after a loading dose.
- The exact workings of Ultomiris aren't fully understood, but it's thought to lower the activity of a complement system protein called C5 at the neuromuscular junction, potentially reducing fatigue and muscle weakness and improving strength.
- In clinical trials, Ultomiris showed significant improvement in daily activities for adults with myasthenia gravis who tested positive for AChR antibodies.
- Ultomiris is an infusion medicine that may be given at home with a discussion with your doctor about the possibility and appropriateness of home infusions.
