Do you or someone you know have sickle cell disease? Then you are probably familiar with the painful sickle cell crises that often accompany the disease. You probably know from experience how difficult it is to even do everyday tasks because of this unbearable pain. So, today we are talking about a relatively new drug that can help reduce the frequency of this painful condition. That is the vaccine called Crizanlizumab.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Crizanlizumab is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called 'selectin blockers.' Okay, does that sound a bit complicated? Let's break it down like this.
Think of our blood vessels as a highway through which blood travels. In sickle cell disease, the red blood cells change shape (like a sickle), stick together, clump together, and create traffic jams along this 'highway'. When the blood flow is blocked in this way, that terrible pain occurs.
A protein called selectin also helps these cells stick together. To be precise, this protein acts like glue and helps the cells stick together. Crizanlizumab blocks selectin, which acts like that 'glue'. Then, the cells stick together less, and the obstruction to blood flow is reduced. As a result, the frequency of those painful 'sickle cell crises' can be significantly reduced.
This drug is most commonly seen on the market under the name ADAKVEO .
What should I tell the doctor before taking this medicine?
Before you start taking this medication, there are a few things you should definitely tell your doctor. It is very important for your safety to be honest about these things.
- Do you have an allergic reaction to Crizanlizumab, any other medicine, food, or dye?
- Are you pregnant, or are you hoping to become pregnant in the near future ?
- Are you a breastfeeding mother ?
Based on this information, it will be easier for the doctor to decide whether this medicine is right for you or not.
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take at home. This is an infusion into a vein. This means that the medicine is given into your vein in a bottle, similar to saline, over a period of about 30 minutes. This entire process is done in a hospital or clinic under the full supervision of a healthcare professional.
In some selected cases, the doctor may also prescribe this medicine to young children over the age of 16. However, special care should be taken, so if you are giving this to your child, talk to your pediatrician for details.
Remember, if you have any suspicion that you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital in Colombo, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else. It could put their life at risk.
What do you do if you miss a dose of medication?
It is very important to take this medicine on the scheduled dates and at the scheduled times. So do not miss your appointments. If you are unable to go to your scheduled appointment, call your doctor immediately and let him know. He or she will tell you what to do next.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Crizanlizumab can cause some side effects. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Type of side effect | Description and symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor or hospital immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Infusion Reactions | Fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, extreme tiredness, dizziness, sweating, difficulty breathing, or a 'cheese' sound coming from the chest. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Body aches | Back pain, joint pain, stomach pain |
| Other | Diarrhea |
Important: This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, please discuss them with your doctor.
Are there other things that could interact with this medication?
This medication has not been found to interact significantly with other medications , but that doesn't mean it won't cause any problems.
Therefore, for your own safety, give your doctor a complete and honest account of all medications you use (including medications for other illnesses, vitamins, traditional medicines, supplements, etc.), whether you smoke, or drink alcohol.
Take-Home Message
- Crizanlizumab is an intravenous injection that reduces the frequency of painful crises caused by sickle cell disease.
- This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic, under medical supervision.
- Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor about all your allergies, pregnancy, and all other medications you are taking.
- Don't miss your appointments. If you can't go, let the doctor know in advance.
- If you experience allergic reactions (skin swelling, hives) or other severe reactions (fever, difficulty breathing) during or after administration of the medicine, seek medical advice immediately.
- Don't be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about any problems you may have.
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