Alefacept (By injection)
a-LEF-a-sept
Treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. This medicine is an immune suppressant.
Drug classes
Immune Suppressant (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Alefacept injection is used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis, which is a skin disease with red and white scales that don’t go away. This medicine is given to patients who have used other medicines that did not work well.
Alefacept is an immunosuppressant. It works on the immune system to treat the symptoms of plaque psoriasis.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
This medicine is usually given once a week for 12 weeks. If you need another 12-week treatment, you must wait at least 12 weeks between each set of treatments. Talk with your doctor if you have questions.
Missed dose: Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how alefacept works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
Blood thinner medicine, such as warfarin Cyclosporine Migraine medicine, such as ergotamine TheophyllineTell your doctor if you are also receiving phototherapy (light or laser therapy) for your psoriasis.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to alefacept, or if you have HIV, AIDS, or a history of cancer.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are receiving this medicine or within 8 weeks after you stop using it.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, cancer, chronic infection, or low white blood cells levels (lymphopenia).
This medicine may cause the following problems:
A small risk for cancer (usually skin cancer) Increased risk for infection from a weakened immune systemYour doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
You may not see improvement in your skin right away. Your psoriasis may continue to get better even after you have stopped receiving this medicine.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Severe diarrhea or painful or difficult urination
Unusual tiredness or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Chills, without fever or other symptoms
Dizziness
Mild nausea
Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Amevive
There may be other brand names for this medicine.