How Will Soliris® Change My Life?

Soliris works by improving your symptoms

You probably have millions of questions about Soliris therapy. Because it works by blocking complement (one of your body’s defense systems), Soliris reduces hemolysis. This will improve your symptoms and reduce major health problems associated with PNH, therefore helping you get back to enjoying life.1

Soliris treats chronic hemolysis — the underlying cause of the signs and symptoms of PNH.1 In clinical trials, patients who received Soliris experienced the following benefits1-3:

  • Reduced chronic hemolysis in all patients — immediate and long term
  • Fewer blood clots (thrombotic events), as compared to the same time period prior to starting Soliris
  • Significant improvements in fatigue levels and overall quality of life
  • Significant reduction in the need for transfusions

The majority of patients received concomitant anticoagulant therapy.1 The effect of anticoagulant withdrawal during Soliris treatment has not been studied.1

How to manage PNH with Soliris

Your initial Soliris treatment (induction phase) involves a 600-mg infusion once a week for the first 4 weeks. At Week 5 you will receive a 900-mg infusion every 2 weeks (maintenance phase). It is important to make sure that you do not miss any scheduled treatments in order to continue to control hemolysis and to experience the full benefits of Soliris therapy.1,3,4

Since PNH is a chronic disease, Soliris is intended to be an ongoing therapy.1 Patients who start Soliris should continue receiving Soliris, even if they feel better. If for some reason you and your doctor decide to stop Soliris therapy, only your doctor can safely manage taking you off the drug.





IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

Soliris increases the risk of meningococcal infections. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early

  • Vaccinate patients with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of Soliris; revaccinate according to current medical guidelines for vaccine use
  • Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections, evaluate immediately if infection is suspected, and treat with antibiotics if necessary

The effect of anticoagulant withdrawal during Soliris treatment has not been studied. Therefore, treatment with Soliris should not alter anticoagulant management.

Soliris is generally well tolerated. The most frequent adverse events observed in clinical studies were headache, a runny nose (nasopharyngitis), back pain, nausea, and tiredness (fatigue).

Please see full prescribing information for SOLIRIS, including boxed WARNING regarding serious meningitis.


References: 1. Soliris® [package insert]. Cheshire, CT: Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2009. 2. Hillmen P, Young NS, Schubert J, et al. The complement inhibitor eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:1233-1243. 3. Data on file, Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. 4. Rosse WF, Hillmen P, Schreiber AD. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Hematology (Am Soc Hematol Educ Program). 2004:48-62.