Are you tired of the itching, redness, and dry, cracked skin caused by eczema? Only those who suffer from it know the irritation and discomfort that comes with not getting enough sleep at night and being constantly itchy all day. Sometimes, no matter how many creams and ointments we apply, it is very difficult to control this condition. Today, we are going to talk about a special, modern type of injection that doctors recommend for such serious, difficult-to-control eczema conditions.
What exactly is Tralokinumab?
Simply put, Tralokinumab (tra-lo-kinu-mab) is a vaccine used to treat eczema. It is used to treat moderate to severe eczema that has not responded well to other treatments. Now let's see how it works. Think of your body's immune system as an army defending a country. Normally, this army fights off enemies like germs and viruses that enter the body. However, in a condition like eczema, this army gets a little too excited and starts attacking innocent people in its own country, your skin cells, for no reason. This unwanted attack is what makes your skin red, itchy, and swollen. This is what the Tralokinumab vaccine does. It's like a skilled peace negotiator. It goes into the body and gives a specific signal to those unnecessarily agitated immune system cells, saying, "Okay, calm down, there's no enemy here to attack." This stops the unnecessary attack on the skin. Scientifically speaking, it belongs to a class of drugs called
monoclonal antibodies . That is, it is designed to target and deactivate a specific chemical messenger in the immune system that causes inflammation in the skin. As a result, the itching, redness, and inflammation of the skin gradually decrease.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is a very important part. This vaccine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor your complete health history before starting treatment. Especially the following things should be mentioned.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|
| If you have a parasitic infection, such as tapeworms or hookworms. | Because this medication suppresses the immune system to some extent, it may reduce the body's ability to fight off parasites. Therefore, it is important to treat any such infection before starting the medication. |
| If you have recently received a vaccine or are about to receive one soon. | Live virus vaccines, in particular, may interact with this medicine. Taking tralokinumab may change the way your body responds to vaccines. So talk to your doctor about your vaccination schedule. |
| If you have an allergy to tralokinumab or any other medicine, food, or dye . | If you have a history of allergies, there is a risk of an allergic reaction to this medication. It is important for your safety to let your doctor know about this in advance. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. | The safety of this medication during pregnancy has not yet been fully established, so you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before making a decision. |
| If the baby is breastfed. | There is still no clear data on whether this medication passes to the baby through breast milk. Therefore, discuss with your doctor whether or not to use this while breastfeeding. |
How should I use the medicine?
This is a subcutaneous injection. It usually comes in a form that you can give yourself at home. But don't worry, your doctor or a trained nurse will show you exactly how to give this injection and how to prepare for it. It usually comes in a pre-filled syringe. All you have to do is inject it on the right day, at the right time.
- Injection site: The injection site is usually in the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
- Preparation: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before injecting the vaccine. Use alcohol to clean the injection site.Clean thoroughly with an alcohol swab.
- Follow your doctor's instructions: Use this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you, in the prescribed dose, for the prescribed number of days. Do not stop taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to.
What do you do with used needles?
This is very important. Never throw used syringes and needles in the trash. Doing so can be dangerous to others. There is a special, thick plastic container (sharps container) for these. If you don't have one, ask your doctor about it. They will also give you instructions on how to safely dispose of the container when it is full.
If the dose of the medicine is increased (overdose) and if it is given to young children
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, do not delay. Immediately call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or, go
to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This medicine is usually prescribed for young children above 12 years of age, in special circumstances. However, this is decided by a paediatrician. Special precautions need to be followed when giving this to young children.
Most importantly, this medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Will there be problems if I miss a dose and with other medications?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Even if it is almost time for your next dose, take the missed dose. Then, take your next dose at your regular schedule. The main thing that can cause problems with this medicine is
live virus vaccines . Apart from that, no other major interactions have been reported. However, that does not mean that there are no problems. Therefore, make a list of all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal medicines, and Ayurvedic medicines, and give it to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol. This will help your doctor decide if this medicine is safe for you.
What are the side effects?
Like any medicine, there is a chance of side effects. But not everyone gets them. Some side effects are serious and you should seek medical advice as soon as they occur. Some are not so serious and go away in a few days.
If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. They are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell
your doctor.| Type of side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|
| Serious allergic reactions | Rash all over the skin, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. These can be very serious, so seek medical advice immediately. |
| Eye problems | Eye pain, redness, discharge from the eyes, inflammation of the eyes, blurred vision, or decreased vision. Don't ignore these either, tell your doctor. |
| Discomfort at the injection site | You may experience redness, mild pain, swelling, or itching at the injection site. This usually subsides within a day or two. If it persists or becomes severe, tell your doctor . |
How should I store the medicine?
It is very important to store this medicine properly. Because this is a medicine made from a protein, like milk, if it is exposed to heat, its properties can be lost. Also, if it is exposed to extreme cold, even ice cold, the medicine will spoil.
- Best method: Keeping it in the refrigerator is best. But don't keep it in the freezer. Take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you want to give it the vaccine and let it come to room temperature.
- Storage at room temperature: If you don't have a refrigerator or are traveling, this medicine can be stored at room temperature (20-25 °C) for up to 14 days. But remember, once it has reached room temperature, do not put it back in the refrigerator. If it has not been used within 14 days, it should be discarded.
- Safety: Always keep the medicine in the original packaging it came in. Protect from sunlight. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Expired medications: Never use expired medications. Ask your doctor for advice on how to dispose of them safely.
If you have any further questions or concerns about this medication, please feel free to discuss them with your doctor. He or she is the best person to decide what is best for your situation.
Take-Home Message
- Tralokinumab is a special injection given to treat eczema that is difficult to control with standard treatments. It controls the body's immune system's unwanted activity.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor completely about any other illnesses , allergies , and other medications and vaccinations you are taking.
- Learn how to inject yourself and how to safely dispose of used needles.
- Call your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing , facial swelling, or eye pain or blurred vision .
- Store the medicine properly in the refrigerator or at room temperature as directed.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with others for any reason.
Tralokinumab, Adbry, Eczema, Skin Disease, Allergy, Vaccine, Immune System
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