Myasthenia Gravis Treatment with Ultomiris: Insights into Its Function and Further Details
Ultomiris Unleashed:
Embrace the power of Ultomiris, the kick-ass infusion that slays myasthenia gravis! This article strips down the seriousness and dives deep into the deets about this badass drug.
Ultomiris is the brand name for ravulizumab-cwvz, a boss medication that ain't afraid to take on myasthenia gravis. It's an IV solution for strong, bad-ass mothers like you (or him, no gender discrimination here). It falls under the bad-assery category of biologics and belongs to a drug family known as complement inhibitors. Get ready to learn more about this unfuckwithable drug.
Warning: Ultomiris comes equipped with a boxed warning, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) direst warning, so pay heed. The warning concerns the risk of serious meningococcal infections, which can be life-threatening. But we got your back, we'll tell you all about it in the "Before receiving Ultomiris" section.
Myasthenia gravis 101:
Body weight
Myasthenia gravis is a tough cookie. It fucks up the communication between your muscles and nerves, causing your voluntary muscles to tire quickly and weaken. This bitch is a chronic, immunological condition, which means your immune system is screwing with your own cells like a jealous girlfriend.
Loading dose
Myasthenia gravis symptoms:
Maintenance dose
- Droopy eyelids
- Weak muscles in your limbs, neck, and eyes
- Fatigue
- Blurry or double vision
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing (indicating the danger zone)
Who the hell needs Ultomiris?
40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb)
Ultomiris is prescribed specifically for some bad-ass mothers (and fathers) suffering from generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).
2,400 mg
- Generalized means the bitch affects muscle groups throughout your body, unlike ocular myasthenia gravis, which only targets those pretty eyes of yours.
- Anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive means your immune system creates antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors (nerve cell to muscle control dudes). Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that sends those "contract your muscles" signals.
3,000 mg every 8 weeks
Before diving head-first into Ultomiris treatment, your doctor may order a blood test to check if your gMG is AChR antibody positive. Your doctor will help determine if Ultomiris is the right treatment for your shit.
How Ultomiris saves your day:
60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb)
- If your doctor prescribes Ultomiris to treat your myasthenia gravis, you're gonna want to know how this bad boy works.
- The exact way Ultomiris throws down to combat myasthenia gravis isn't completely understood. But we think it involves Ultomiris's ability to shut down the activity of a complement system protein called C5 at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ).
- The NMJ is where nerve cells communicate with the muscles they control. By reducing C5 activity at the NMJ, Ultomiris lets nerve signals reach your muscles, which may help reduce fatigue and muscle weakness and increase muscle strength.
2,700 mg
Ultomiris in the ring:
3,300 mg every 8 weeks
In clinical trials, Ultomiris proved its worth, effectively improving daily living activities for bad-ass adults with gMG who are AChR antibody positive.
How many Ultomiris servings, and when?:
100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more)
Ultomiris is available in three strengths:
3,000 mg
- 300 milligrams (mg)/30 milliliters (mL)
- 300 mg/3 mL
- 1,100 mg/11 mL
3,600 mg every 8 weeks
Dosage, in simple terms:
Treatment usually starts with a loading dose, followed by maintenance doses (every 8 weeks) after two weeks. The recommended dosages are based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
| Body Weight | Loading Dose | Maintenance Dose || --- | --- | --- || 40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks || 60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks || 100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
Note: In addition to treating myasthenia gravis, Ultomiris has other uses. The shit might differ when used for other situations. Chat with your doc for the low-down.
Ultomiris
How is Ultomiris administered?
Vyvgart
Ultomiris comes as a solution for IV infusion. A healthcare professional will administer your Ultomiris infusions at an infusion center.
How often is Ultomiris infused?
Form
You'll likely receive your maintenance doses every 8 weeks. You'll commence maintenance doses 2 weeks after your loading dose.
solution for IV infusion
For more deets on dosing schedules, check out this Ultomiris dosage article. Your doctor or pharmacist can also fill you in on the goods.
solution for IV infusion
Ultomiris side effects:
Using Ultomiris for myasthenia gravis might cause mild to serious side effects.
Dosage frequency
Mild side effects:
once every 8 weeks
- Diarrhea
- Upper respiratory infection (common cold)
- Abdominal pain
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Mild infusion reactions (muscle spasms, discomfort in arms or legs)
once weekly for 4 weeks; your doctor may prescribe additional cycles based on how well Vyvgart works for your symptoms
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if they last longer than this, irritate the shit out of you, or intensify, talk to your doc or pharmacist ASAP.
Serious side effects:
Drug class
While not common, serious side effects have been reported, including serious infections (COVID-19, pneumonia) and serious infusion reactions (increased or decreased blood pressure, severe shivering, chills, and fever).
complement inhibitor
Call your doctor right away if you develop serious side effects while using Ultomiris. If the side effects seem life-threatening or you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
neonatal Fc receptor blocker
Before receiving Ultomiris:
Before you receive Ultomiris, consider these factors:
Boxed warning: Risk of serious meningococcal infections:
Ultomiris has a boxed warning for the risk of serious meningococcal infections, such as meningitis. These infections can be life-threatening. Symptoms of a meningococcal infection include:
- Sudden fever, headache, or stiff neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
What to do:
Before you start receiving Ultomiris, your doctor will ensure you're up-to-date with meningococcal vaccines. If not, they'll give you any necessary vaccinations at least 2 weeks before you start Ultomiris treatment. If your doctor determines you need to receive Ultomiris urgently, they may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection, which you'll take for the first 2 weeks following your first Ultomiris infusion.
The risk of serious meningococcal infections applies throughout treatment with Ultomiris and for at least 8 months after your last dose. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you have symptoms of a meningococcal infection during this period. But dial 911 or head to the closest emergency room if your symptoms feel life-threatening.
Due to this risk, Ultomiris is only available under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program. During treatment and for 8 months after the last dose, you'll need to carry the Ultomiris Patient Safety Card. You can learn more about the Ultomiris REMS program at the program website or by calling 1-888-765-4747.
Other warnings:
Besides the boxed warnings, Ultomiris has other warnings for those with relevant medical conditions or other factors affecting their health.
If any of these apply, talk with your doctor before receiving Ultomiris:
- Have an active infection
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol
- Have had an allergic reaction to Ultomiris or any of its ingredients
Now that you're familiar with Ultomiris, stand tall, because you're about to kick myasthenia gravis' ass with this badass drug. Remember to consult your doc if you got questions about anything! Rock on, you bad-ass mother!
- Ultomiris is a powerful medication used to combat myasthenia gravis, a chronic immunological condition that weakens voluntary muscles.
- The brand name for ravulizumab-cwvz, Ultomiris, is a biosimilar and belongs to the drug family known as complement inhibitors.
- It is an IV solution for individuals with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), who weigh between 40 kg to less than 100 kg, and who are AChR antibody positive.
- Treatment with Ultomiris may cause mild to serious side effects, including dizziness, diarrhea, upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, urinary tract infection, back pain, and mild infusion reactions.
- Before receiving Ultomiris, it's crucial to be up-to-date with meningococcal vaccines and carry the Ultomiris Patient Safety Card due to the risk of serious meningococcal infections.
- Ultomiris has a boxed warning for the risk of serious meningococcal infections, which can be life-threatening.
- Apart from treating myasthenia gravis, Ultomiris may also be used for other autoimmune disorders and neurological disorders; consult your doctor for more information about these uses.
