Anyone who suffers from it knows how difficult it is to live with a severe skin condition that sometimes comes with painful, pus-filled blisters that appear suddenly on the body. Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) is one such painful, severe skin condition. So today we are talking about the vaccine called Spesolimab, which is used to control this GPP condition. Since this is a treatment that you or someone close to you may need, it is very important to know about it clearly and simply.
What kind of medicine is Spesolimab?
Simply put, Spesolimab (brand name: Spevigo) is a specific treatment for controlling flares of a severe skin condition called Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) .
Our body's defense system, the immune system, sometimes becomes a little overactive and starts attacking our own cells. This is one of the reasons why diseases like GPP develop. So this medicine called Spesolimab works by calming down the overactive immune system and controlling the symptoms. Medically speaking, this is a `monoclonal antibody` type of medicine.
This medicine is given as an injection into a vein in a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of your medical team. It is not a medicine to use at home.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medication
Before starting this treatment, it is essential that the doctor has a complete picture of your health. Therefore, if any of the following apply to you, be sure to tell them about it.
- Current infections: If you currently have any infections such as fever, cough, cold, etc., especially if you have a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection such as tuberculosis (TB), you should tell your doctor.
- Vaccines: If you have recently received any vaccinations, or if you plan to receive any in the future, please let us know.
- Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies to this medicine, Spesolimab, any other medicine, food, coloring, or preservative.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before starting this treatment.
The most important thing is to give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter medications, Ayurvedic/Sinhala medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements).
Things to be especially careful about during treatment
Your medical team will monitor you very closely while you are taking this medication. It is also very important that you pay attention to these things.
1. Infusion Reactions
Some people may have reactions when the medicine is given into a vein. To reduce this risk, your healthcare team may give you other medicines before the injection. If you experience any chest pain, difficulty breathing, or fainting , tell the nurse or doctor right away.
2. Increased risk of infection
This medicine may slightly reduce the activity of the immune system, which may increase your risk of developing infections. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, non-healing wounds, pain or burning when urinating, or feeling unwell , do not self-medicate and contact your doctor immediately. It is also a good idea to try to stay away from places where sick people hang out.
3. Decreased response to vaccines
While taking this medicine, the effectiveness of any vaccines you receive may be reduced. Live vaccines are not given with this treatment. Therefore, if you need to receive any vaccines, be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking Spesolimab.
4. Serious Skin Reactions
Very rarely, some people may develop severe skin reactions even weeks after starting this medicine. Seek medical advice immediately if you notice symptoms such as a red/purple rash on your skin with a fever or cold-like rash that later turns into blisters or peeling skin . Also, if the rash is accompanied by swelling of the face, lips or a lumpy rash on the neck/armpits, this can be a serious condition.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, Spesolimab can cause some side effects. It is important to be aware of these.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, urinary tract infections, and malaise. |
| Infusion Reactions | Chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting. |
| Skin lesions and swollen glands | Fever and swollen glands in the neck/armpits with skin lesions. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor side effects | Headache, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, pain, redness, or bruising at the injection site. |
What to do if the medication dose is increased?
This is a medicine given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are low. However, if you suspect you have taken too much of the medicine, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
It is very important to go to the hospital or clinic for treatment on your scheduled dates. If for some reason you are unable to go on your scheduled date, call your medical team immediately to let them know and arrange a later date.
Take-Home Message
- Spesolimab is a treatment for the severe skin disease GPP, which is given in a hospital under specialist supervision.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, especially infections and allergies.
- During treatment, be vigilant for signs of infection such as fever and cough, severe skin rashes, or unusual reactions to medication. If you notice any of these, inform your doctor immediately.
- Do not get any vaccine without consulting your doctor.
- It is very important to attend your treatment appointments without missing any appointments. If you have any questions or concerns, talk openly with your doctor.
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