Eculizumab vaccine: What you need to know

Has your doctor prescribed you or someone close to you a vaccine called Eculizumab? It's normal to feel curious or even a little scared about this very specific, powerful drug. But don't be afraid. Today, we'll talk about this drug, what it does to the body, and what you should be aware of when taking it.

What kind of medicine is Eculizumab?

Simply put, Eculizumab is a drug that controls a part of our body's immune system, typically given intravenously. It is mainly used to treat several very rare conditions.

• Rare blood disorders: Some people have conditions that cause red blood cells to break down quickly or form clots easily. Examples include atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Eculizumab stops these red blood cells from breaking down and prevents blood clots from forming.
• Other autoimmune diseases: In addition, this medicine is also used for the disease ``Myasthenia Gravis``, which affects the connection between the nerves and muscles, and ``Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)``, which affects the spinal cord and optic nerves.

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment

Before starting this treatment, your doctor will want to know your complete health history. It is essential for your safety to provide this information accurately.

• Do you currently have any infections? Tell us about any infections such as fever, cold, cough.
• Do you have any allergies? Please inform us of any allergies you have to eculizumab or any other medicine, food, or dye.
• Are you pregnant? Or are you hoping to get pregnant?
• Are you breastfeeding a child?

Based on these factors, the doctor will decide whether this treatment is suitable for you or not.

How is this medicine given? And the most important safety precautions

This is not a home remedy. The Eculizumab vaccine is given slowly into a vein by trained medical staff in a hospital or clinic .

Very important: Meningococcal Vaccine

When taking eculizumab, there is a slightly increased risk of a bacterial infection that causes meningitis, a type of brain infection. This is a very serious condition.

Before each treatment session, you will be given a special information leaflet (`MedGuide`) about this medicine. Always read it carefully.

Use for children

This medicine can be prescribed for some selected medical conditions even to children over 2 months of age, but special precautions must be followed.

What if the dose increases?

This is unlikely to happen as it is given in a hospital setting. However, if you suspect that you have overdosed , immediately report it to the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .

Things to consider during treatment

• Watch out for infections: This medicine may slightly reduce your body's ability to fight infections. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as fever , chills, sore throat, cough, non-healing wounds, or pain when urinating , never self-medicate and call your doctor immediately. Try to stay away from sick people as much as possible.
• Medical tests: Your doctor will perform regular blood tests to monitor your condition during treatment. It is very important to attend the clinic on the scheduled dates.
• Other medications: Give your doctor a complete description of any other medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements), and whether you smoke or drink alcohol.

Side Effects to Know

Like any medicine, Eculizumab can cause side effects. Some of these can be serious, while others are common.

This list may not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, consult your doctor.