Understanding PNH

PNH: Quick Facts

  • PNH is an acquired mutation that causes some or all of your body’s red blood cells (RBCs) to be destroyed by a process called hemolysis1-3
  • PNH affects approximately 8,000 to 10,000 people in North America and Western Europe4
  • PNH is a complex disease. The signs and symptoms are nonspecific, unpredictable, and often similar to those of other diseases
  • If you have PNH, hemolysis is always taking place — whether you feel OK or whether you’re having a flare-up (paroxysm), such as during times of stress or infection2,5-7

Dealing with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) can be challenging. But the good news is there are many things you can do to keep you or your loved one as healthy as possible and it starts with educating yourself and working with your doctor.





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. Socié G, Mary J-Y, de Gramont A, et al, for the French Society of Haematology. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria: long-term follow-up and prognostic factors. Lancet. 1996;348:573-577. 2. Hillmen P, Lewis SM, Bessler M, Luzzatto L, Dacie JV. Natural history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:1253-1258. 3. Nishimura J-I, Kanakura Y, Ware RE, et al. Clinical course and flow cytometric analysis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in the United States and Japan. Medicine. 2004;83:193-207. 4. Richards SJ, Cullen MJ, Dickinson AJ, et al. The effect of eculizumab therapy on red cell response kinetics in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria ASH abstract. Blood. 2005;106: Abstract 1047. 5. Hillmen P, Young NS, Schubert J, et al. The complement inhibitor eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:1233-1243. 6. Hill A, Richards SJ, Hillmen P. Recent developments in the understanding and management of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Br J Haematol. 2007;137:181-192. 7. Rother RP, Bell L, Hillmen P, Gladwin MT. The clinical sequelae of intravascular hemolysis and extracellular plasma hemoglobin: a novel mechanism of human disease. JAMA. 2005;293:1653-1662.