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Daily Medication Pearl: Crizanlizumab (Adakveo) for Sickle Cell Disease

Crizanlizumab is a humanized IgG2 kappa monoclonal antibody that binds to P-selectin and blocks interactions with its ligands.

Medication Pearl of the Day: Crizanlizumab (Adakveo)

Crizanlizumab is a selectin blocker indicated to reduce the frequency of vasoocclusive crises in adults and pediatric patients 16 years of age and older with sickle cell disease.

Explanations:

  • Dosing: Administer 5 mg/kg by intravenous infusion over a period of 30 minutes on week 0, week 2, and every 4 weeks thereafter.
  • Dosage forms: Injection: 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL) solution in a single-dose vial.
  • Adverse events: Most common adverse reactions (incidence > 10%) are nausea, arthralgia, back pain, abdominal pain, and pyrexia.
  • Special population: Pregnancy—may cause fetal harm.
  • Mechanism of action: Crizanlizumab is a humanized IgG2 kappa monoclonal antibody that binds to P-selectin and blocks interactions with its ligands, including P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1). Crizanlizumab can also dissociate preformed Pselectin/PSGL-1 complex. Binding P-selectin on the surface of the activated endothelium and platelets blocks interactions between endothelial cells, platelets, red blood cells, and leukocytes.
  • Manufacturer: Novartis

Sources:

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