What is Adakveo (crizanlizumab) for?
Adakveo (crizanlizumab) is a treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). It helps reduce pain crises in people aged 16 and older with SCD.
It can be used with hydroxycarbamide or alone. This is for those who don’t get better with hydroxycarbamide or have too many side effects.1
It comes in a solution form with 100 mg/10 mL crizanlizumab per vial.
How does Adakveo (crizanlizumab) work?
SCD changes red blood cells into sickle shapes. These cells are hard and sticky, causing them to clog blood flow. This leads to painful crises and other serious issues.
P-selectin is a protein involved in SCD symptoms. It’s found on endothelial cells and platelets. P-selectin makes sickle red blood cells stick to blood vessels, causing VOCs.
Crizanlizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and blocks P-selectin. This helps keep blood flowing normally and prevents VOCs.
Where has Adakveo (crizanlizumab) been approved?
Adakveo (crizanlizumab) was approved for SCD by:
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on November 15, 2019.
- The European Medicines Agency (EMA), on October 30, 2020.
It’s the first FDA-approved medicine for SCD that targets P-selectin. This is key in preventing VOCs.
Adakveo (crizanlizumab) also got the ‘Orphan Drug’ designation from EMA. This is for medicines treating rare diseases.
This medicine might be approved in other places too. If you have questions about its approval in a specific country, contact our support team.
How is Adakveo (crizanlizumab) taken?
The standard dosage is:
- 5 mg/kg body weight given by infusion (drip) into a vein over a period of 30 minutes.
Doses are given on week 0, week 2, and every 4 weeks after that.
It can be given with or without hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea).
It should be diluted and administered by a healthcare professional experienced in treating SCD.
For more details on dosage and administration, see the official prescribing information in our references section.
Note: Please consult with your treating doctor for personalized dosing.
Are there any known adverse reactions or side effects of Adakveo (crizanlizumab)?
Common adverse reactions
The most common side effects (≥10% of patients) include:
-
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Back pain
- Fever
- Abdominal (belly) pain
Serious adverse reactions
The serious adverse effects listed in the prescribing information include:
-
- Fever
Use in a specific population
Adakveo (crizanlizumab) can cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman. It is advised to avoid pregnancies and breastfeeding.
For a comprehensive list of side effects and adverse reactions, please refer to the official prescribing information.
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