New medicines
Raptiva
 Composition: Reconstitution yields efalizumab 100mg/ml .
Presentation: Powder and solvent for solution for injection.
Class: Selective immunosuppressive agent.
Indications: Treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic
plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to, have a contraindication
to or are intolerant to other systemic therapies.
Dosage: An initial single dose of 0.7mg/kg, followed by weekly injections
of 1mg/kg (maximum single dose 200mg). Duration of therapy is 12 weeks.
See SPC.
Major cautions: Monitor patients developing an infection during treatment
and discontinue Raptiva according to severity. Use with caution in patients
with a history of significant recurring infections. Patients should not
receive acellular, live and live-attenuated vaccines during treatment.
Discontinue treatment if a malignancy develops. Platelet counts should
be taken periodically during treatment. If manifestations of thrombocytopenia
occur treatment should be discontinued imediately. See SPC.
Contraindications: Patients with active tuberculosis and other severe
infections, history of malignancies, immunodeficiencies, or specific
forms of psoriasis.
Side effects: Very common (>1/10); leukocytosis and lymphocytosis,
flu-like symptoms including fever, headaches, chills, nausea and myalgia.
Legal category: POM.
Net price: 1 vial £169.20
Contact details: Serono Pharmaceuticals, Bedfont Cross, Stanwell Road,
Feltham, Middlesex TW14 8NX. Tel 020 8818 7200.
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