Do you sometimes feel like your eyelids are drooping uncontrollably, your words are slurred when you speak, you have difficulty swallowing, or your limbs feel numb and it is difficult to do even the smallest tasks? These could be symptoms of a disease called Myasthenia Gravis . This is a condition in which the muscles gradually weaken due to a defect in our body's own defense system. So, a relatively modern, specific treatment used to treat this condition is the Efgartigimod Alfa vaccine. Let's talk about this simply and clearly today.
What kind of medicine is Efgartigimod Alfa?
Simply put, this is a medicine that targets a defect in your body's immune system and helps correct it.
Think of antibodies as soldiers protecting our bodies. But in myasthenia gravis, some of these antibodies mistakenly start attacking the communication links between our own nerves and muscles. It's like our own soldiers attacking our own country. This is why our muscles become weak.
This medicine, called Efgartigimod Alfa, works by reducing the levels of those misbehaving antibodies in your blood. This reduces the damage to your muscles and allows them to gradually return to normal.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before deciding whether this treatment is right for you, it is very important to clearly explain the following to your doctor.
| Information you need to provide | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you currently have an infection (e.g., flu, cold, urinary tract infection) | This medicine may have some effect on the immune system, which may worsen an existing infection. |
| If you have kidney disease | The kidneys play an important role in removing medications from the body. Therefore, the doctor should be aware of the functioning of the kidneys. |
| If you have allergies to other medications or foods | Since there is a very small chance of an allergic reaction to this medication, it is important to be aware of your allergy history. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | There is still no complete data on the safety of this medication during pregnancy, so be sure to talk to your doctor about this. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | You should discuss with your doctor whether the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How can I give you this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home.
- This is a treatment that is given through a vein, like a saline infusion (intravenous infusion) .
- This treatment is only given under medical supervision in a hospital or clinic .
- Typically, this treatment is given in cycles every few weeks. Your doctor will determine the appropriate schedule based on your condition.
Very important: Do not miss your scheduled treatment dates and times for any reason. If for some reason you are unable to attend on your scheduled date, please call your medical team immediately and let them know.
What to do if you overdose?
Since this is a medicine given in a hospital, the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you suspect that this has happened, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things to keep in mind while undergoing treatment
- Protect yourself from infections: This medicine may affect your immune system, which may increase your risk of developing infections. Therefore, if you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, pain or burning when urinating, or weakness , do not self-medicate and inform your doctor immediately . It is also wise to stay away from people who are sick during this time.
- Other medications and vaccines: Tell your doctor about any other medications (for other conditions), vitamins, and even herbal remedies you are taking. In particular, vaccines containing live viruses (e.g. measles, mumps, rubella - MMR) should not be given while taking this treatment. Ask your doctor for advice.
What are the side effects?
Like all medicines, Efgartigimod Alfa can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
|---|---|
| Serious Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (this is a serious emergency as it can cause difficulty breathing). |
| Signs of Infection | Fever, chills, persistent cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, urinary tract infections, and malaise. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | A common headache. |
| Muscle pain | Feeling like your body hurts. |
| Numbness | Feeling of numbness or pain around the mouth, in the limbs. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Efgartigimod Alfa is a specific vaccine that targets the body's immune system and treats myasthenia gravis.
- This is given in a hospital, through a vein. It is not given to you to use at home.
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, allergies, and other medications you are taking.
- If signs of infection such as fever and cough appear during treatment, seek medical advice immediately.
- Please be careful not to miss your treatment appointment. If you are unable to attend, please let us know in advance.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms, such as swelling of the face or throat, consider it an emergency and go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
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