Let's learn about a vaccine that prevents the severity of Covid-19? (Casirivimab & Imdevimab)

We've all been living with the COVID-19 pandemic for a while now, haven't we? During this time, we've learned about various ways to protect ourselves from this virus. Vaccination is one of the most important of these. At the same time, research has also been conducted around the world on treatments that can help prevent COVID-19 from becoming more severe if it does occur. Today, we're going to talk about a special treatment for those who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19.

What are Casirivimab and Imdevimab?

These two names may sound a bit strange. Simply put, Casirivimab and Imdevimab are a combination of two types of monoclonal antibodies . Normally, when a virus enters our body, our immune system makes antibodies to fight it. These are like soldiers in our body.

However, not everyone's immune system is equally strong. Some people are unable to produce enough antibodies to fight this battle. To help, labs have created artificial antibodies that can specifically fight the COVID-19 virus. These are called monoclonal antibodies. What this medicine does is give your body a large amount of these antibodies, giving it extra strength to fight the virus.

This medicine is mainly used for:

• Treat patients who are not hospitalized but are at high risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms .
• Reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 (for example, if someone in a risk group has been in close contact with an infected person).

However, this is not a fully approved drug by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration). However, in an emergency situation like the Covid-19 pandemic, the benefits far outweigh the risks, so Emergency Use Authorization has been granted.

Who is this treatment given to?

This is not a medicine for everyone. This treatment is only recommended if a doctor has carefully examined the patient's condition and determined that there is a high risk of the disease becoming severe. Generally, the risk groups are:

• People over 65 years of age .
• People with obesity .
• People with Diabetes Mellitus .
• People with chronic kidney disease .
• People with medical conditions or taking medications that weaken the immune system (e.g. cancer patients, organ transplant recipients).
• People with chronic heart disease or high blood pressure.
• People with chronic respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma).
• Young children over 12 years of age who have one or more of the risk conditions mentioned above.

If you have been infected with COVID-19 and fall into one of these risk groups, it is very important to discuss this treatment with your doctor.

Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before your doctor decides whether this treatment is right for you, it is essential that you inform him of the following information.

• If you have any allergies (to other medications, foods, dyes, etc.).
• If you have another serious illness .
• If you have previously received a COVID-19 vaccine .
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

Based on this information, your doctor will decide what special precautions you need to take when giving you this treatment.

How is the treatment given and what are the side effects?

This medicine is not something you can use at home. It is given by a trained health professional in a hospital or clinic . It can be given in two ways:

1. Intravenous or IV infusion: Like saline, the medicine is slowly infused into the body through a cannula placed in a vein.

2. Subcutaneous injection: It is given through several injections into the fatty layer under the skin.

You will be monitored by a doctor during and for a short time after the treatment to check for any allergic reactions.

What if I take too much medicine?

This is given in a hospital setting so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think something has happened, inform your medical team immediately. Alternatively, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . In an emergency, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

What does this have to do with the Covid-19 vaccine?

This is also a very important point.

• If you have received this treatment, you must wait at least 90 days before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (first, second, or booster dose).
• If you received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and then received this treatment, you must wait at least 90 days from the date of receiving this treatment to receive the second dose.

This is because the artificial antibodies given in this treatment can interfere with your body's natural antibody response to the vaccine. Therefore, it is essential to maintain this time interval. Talk to your doctor about this further.

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