Myasthenia Gravis Treatment with Ultomiris: Insights on Its Mechanism and Additional Details
Revamped Article:
Hey there! Let's dive into all the deets about Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz), a badass treatment option for myasthenia gravis. This informal guide covers the basics like how it works, potential side effects, and dosage info. Spice things up with some insider knowledge from our enrichment section.
Ultomiris is an intravenous (IV) infusion solution, administered by healthcare pros. It belongs to the drugs called complement inhibitors, part of a slick biologic class that works wonders. No biosimilar version of this bad boy is available yet.
Wanna know more about Ultomiris? Check out this in-depth Ultomiris article.
Ultomiris comes with a boxed warning - the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) most serious warning. The details can be found in the "Before receiving Ultomiris" section below.
Body weight
Myasthenia Gravis Simplified
Loading dose
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune disorder that messes with muscle and nerve communication. Essentially, your voluntary muscles tire quickly and weaken due to dysfunctional communication.
Maintenance dose
Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms
Myasthenia gravis symptoms vary from person to person, but they typically worsen during increased activity and improve with rest. Watch out for:
40 kg to less than 60 kg (approximately 88 lb to less than 132 lb)
- drooping eyelids
- weak muscles in your limbs, neck, and eyes
- fatigue
- blurry or double vision
- difficulties with chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing
2,400 mg
Who Needs Ultomiris
3,000 mg every 8 weeks
Ultomiris is prescribed to adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who test positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. Translation: gMG involves multiple muscle groups, and AChR antibodies are a type of misguided immune response that blocks acetylcholine receptors.
Before prescribing Ultomiris, your doc may order a blood test to ensure your gMG is AChR antibody-positive. Your doc can clarify whether Ultomiris is suitable for your type of myasthenia gravis.
60 kg to less than 100 kg (approximately 132 lb to less than 220 lb)
Ultomiris: Game Changer for Myasthenia Gravis
2,700 mg
If your doctor prescribes Ultomiris to treat myasthenia gravis, you might be curious about its mechanism of action. While the exact process isn't fully understood, it's thought that Ultomiris lowers C5 activity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ).
3,300 mg every 8 weeks
The NMJ is where nerve cells connect to muscles they control. By reducing C5 activity at the NMJ, Ultomiris helps signals from nerve cells reach your muscles, potentially reducing fatigue and muscle weakness while improving muscle strength.
How Effective is Ultomiris for Myasthenia Gravis?
100 kg or more (approximately 220 lb or more)
Clinical trials demonstrated that Ultomiris improved the ability to carry out daily living activities in adults with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG[1]. Take a gander at the prescribing information for Ultomiris for more details.
3,000 mg
Receiving and Dosing Ultomiris for Myasthenia Gravis
3,600 mg every 8 weeks
Here's the lowdown on Ultomiris dosages for myasthenia gravis:
Ultomiris comes in three strengths:
- 300 milligrams (mg)/30 milliliters (mL)
- 300 mg/3 mL
- 1,100 mg/11 mL
Dosage
Ultomiris
The recommended Ultomiris dosages are based on body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Vyvgart
Ultomiris treatment typically starts with a loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose every 8 weeks. The following chart outlines recommended Ultomiris dosages based on body weight[1]:
| | | || --- | --- | --- || 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 |
Form
For more details on Ultomiris dosing schedules, check out our Ultomiris dosage article.
solution for IV infusion
Ultomiris Side Effects
solution for IV infusion
Ultomiris side effects range from mild to severe, and they can differ based on the condition it's used to treat.
Mild Side Effects of Ultomiris
Dosage frequency
Mild side effects reported with Ultomiris treatment include[1]:
once every 8 weeks
- diarrhea
- upper respiratory infection ( URI)
- abdominal pain
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- back pain
- dizziness
- 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 persist, bother you, or worsen, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious Side Effects of Ultomiris
Drug class
While uncommon, serious side effects have been reported, including[1]:
complement inhibitor
- serious infections, such as pneumonia or COVID-19
- severe infusion reactions (increased or decreased blood pressure, severe shivering, chills, and fever)
- risk of serious meningococcal infections (see "Before receiving Ultomiris")
neonatal Fc receptor blocker
ALLERGIC REACTIONIn rare cases, Ultomiris can cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious, so be on the lookout and talk to your doc if you experience any unusual reactions.
Before Receiving Ultomiris
Before you receive Ultomiris, there are a few things to consider. The drug may not be a good fit for those with certain medical conditions or other factors that affect their health.
Boxed Warning: Risk of Serious Meningococcal Infections
Ultomiris carries a boxed warning for the increased risk of serious meningococcal infections. Talk to your doctor about meningococcal vaccines before receiving Ultomiris treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions about Ultomiris for treating myasthenia gravis.
How Does Ultomiris Compare to Vyvgart?
Ultomiris and Vyvgart are both used to treat anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG. Here's a quick comparison:[1]
| | || --- | --- || Ultomiris | Vyvgart || Form | solution for IV infusion | solution for IV infusion || Dosage frequency | once every 8 weeks | once weekly for 4 weeks (your doctor may prescribe additional cycles if needed) || Drug class | complement inhibitor | neonatal Fc receptor blocker |
Ultomiris is also approved for other conditions, while Vyvgart is only approved for gMG.
For more details, chat with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can I Receive Ultomiris Infusions at Home?
It's possible! Your doctor might be able to prescribe Ultomiris for home infusions. To find out, have a chat with your doc.
Ultomiris Cost
The cost of Ultomiris depends on your treatment regimen, insurance plan, and location. The price also includes the cost of the appointment to receive Ultomiris infusions.
For support with Ultomiris costs, check out the Alexion OneSource CoPay Program.
Disclaimer: Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication. This article should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
- The system of Ultomiris is an intravenous (IV) infusion solution, administered by healthcare professionals and belongs to the drugs called complement inhibitors, which are part of a sophisticated biologic class.
- The immune system can affect the response to Ultomiris, as it is an autoimmune disorder treatment, and other autoimmune disorders should be considered when starting this therapy.
- Pharmacies may carry Ultomiris, but it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider for prescription and dosage information, as the medication comes with a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Science and medical research play a significant role in understanding myasthenia gravis and the efficacy of Ultomiris in managing this chronic autoimmune disorder, with various therapies and treatments available to enhance health and wellness.
- The symptoms of myasthenia gravis can involve fatigue, drooping eyelids, weak muscles, blurry or double vision, difficulties with chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing, making it crucial to seek medical attention and appropriate therapies and treatments.
