Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Adakveo?
3. What is Adakveo Used to Treat?
4. Do You Need a Prescription for Adakveo?
5. How Does Adakveo Work?
6. What Are Some Common Side Effects of Adakveo?
7. What Should You Not Take With Adakveo?

Introduction

Adakveo (crizanlizumab-tmca) is a prescription medicine used to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) in adults and children 16 years of age and older. It is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein, that works by blocking the interaction between P-selectin and its ligands. P-selectin is a molecule found on the surface of red blood cells in people with SCD. By blocking the interaction between P-selectin and its ligands, Adakveo helps reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are painful episodes caused by the sickling of red blood cells.

Adakveo was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2019. It is the first and only medicine approved to reduce the frequency of VOCs in people with SCD.

What is Adakveo?

Adakveo (crizanlizumab-tmca) is a prescription medicine used to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) in adults and children 16 years of age and older. It is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein, that works by blocking the interaction between P-selectin and its ligands. P-selectin is a molecule found on the surface of red blood cells in people with SCD. By blocking the interaction between P-selectin and its ligands, Adakveo helps reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are painful episodes caused by the sickling of red blood cells.

Adakveo was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2019. It is the first and only medicine approved to reduce the frequency of VOCs in people with SCD.

Adakveo is a self-injectable medicine that is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). It is available as a single-dose prefilled syringe.

What is Adakveo Used to Treat?

Adakveo is used to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) in adults and children 16 years of age and older. SCD is a rare, inherited blood disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells. People with SCD have red blood cells that are shaped like a crescent or sickle, which can cause blockages in blood vessels and lead to pain, organ damage, and other serious complications.

Adakveo is used to reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are painful episodes caused by the sickling of red blood cells. It is not a cure for SCD, but it can help reduce the frequency and severity of VOCs.

Do You Need a Prescription for Adakveo?

Yes, Adakveo is a prescription medicine and must be prescribed by a doctor. It is not available over-the-counter.

How Does Adakveo Work?

Adakveo works by blocking the interaction between P-selectin and its ligands. P-selectin is a molecule found on the surface of red blood cells in people with SCD. By blocking the interaction between P-selectin and its ligands, Adakveo helps reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are painful episodes caused by the sickling of red blood cells.

Adakveo is a self-injectable medicine that is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). It is available as a single-dose prefilled syringe.

What Are Some Common Side Effects of Adakveo?

The most common side effects of Adakveo include:

• headache
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• fatigue
• back pain
• joint pain
• rash
• itching
• swelling of the arms and legs
• dizziness
• shortness of breath
• chest pain

Less common side effects include:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• throat pain
• difficulty breathing
• hives
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty swallowing
• wheezing
• rapid heartbeat
• confusion
• severe dizziness
• fainting
• seizures

If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

What Should You Not Take With Adakveo?

You should not take Adakveo with any other medicines that contain crizanlizumab-tmca. You should also not take Adakveo if you are allergic to crizanlizumab-tmca or any of the ingredients in Adakveo.

You should also tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may interact with Adakveo and may cause serious side effects.

Indications for Adakveo

Adakveo (crizanlizumab-tmca) is a monoclonal antibody indicated for the prevention of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in adult and pediatric patients aged 16 years and older with sickle cell disease (SCD). Adakveo is specifically indicated for patients who have had at least one VOC in the past 12 months. Adakveo is administered as an intravenous infusion over approximately 15 minutes.

Dosage and Administration Recommendations

The recommended dosage of Adakveo is 5 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over approximately 15 minutes every 4 weeks. The dose should be administered as a single infusion and should not be divided into multiple infusions. The infusion should be administered by a healthcare professional with experience in the management of SCD.

Common Drug Interactions

Adakveo may interact with other medications, including anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and other drugs that affect platelet function. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider about any medications they are taking before starting Adakveo.

Warnings

Adakveo may cause serious side effects, including infusion reactions, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity, and infections. Patients should speak to their healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of Adakveo before starting treatment.

Clinical Pharmacology

Adakveo is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to P-selectin and prevents its interaction with leukocyte adhesion molecules, which reduces the adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells. This reduces the number of leukocytes that enter the microvasculature and reduces the risk of VOCs.

Medication Guide

Adakveo is a prescription medication used to reduce the risk of VOCs in patients with SCD. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of Adakveo before starting treatment. Patients should also discuss any medications they are taking with their healthcare provider before starting Adakveo.

Conclusion

Adakveo is a monoclonal antibody indicated for the prevention of VOCs in adult and pediatric patients aged 16 years and older with SCD. Adakveo is administered as an intravenous infusion over approximately 15 minutes every 4 weeks. Adakveo may cause serious side effects, including infusion reactions, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity, and infections. Patients should speak to their healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of Adakveo before starting treatment. Patients should also discuss any medications they are taking with their healthcare provider before starting Adakveo.

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