What is this medicine?
ALEFACEPT (a la FA cept) is used to treat adult patients with moderate or severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- breathing problems
- chest pain or tightness
- dark urine
- severe stomach pain
- signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- cough
- dizziness
- headache
- muscle ache or pain
- nausea
- pain at site where injected
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection into a muscle or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- medicines that suppress the immune system
- phototherapy like methoxsalen, porfimer, and aminolevulinic acid
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- HIV infection. (See Lymphopenia and also see Infectious Complications under Cautions.)
- Known hypersensitivity to alefacept or any ingredient in the formulation.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of the medicine can continue after you finish your treatment. Promptly report any side effects.
This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Stay away from people who are sick. See your doctor if you get an infection.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine and for 8 weeks after stopping the medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
- cancer
- fever or infection
- immune system problems
- an unusual or allergic reaction to alefacept, any human or hamster proteins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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