SOLIRIS (eculizumab): The first treatment specifically approved for PNH

For US Healthcare Professionals

The Role of Hemolysis

Chronic hemolysis is the underlying cause of the signs and symptoms in PNH, including severe anemia, disabling fatigue, recurrent pain, dypnea, smooth muscle dystonias, impaired quality of life and thrombotic events.

PNH is an acquired genetic deficiency characterized clinically by chronic hemolysis.1-2

The Role of Hemolysis
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  • Normal red blood cells (RBCs) express a protein that inhibits terminal complement (CD59)1,3
     
  • The absence of this protein leads to chronic complement-mediated lysis of RBCs1,3,4

Next: PNH Morbidity & Mortality

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION

SOLIRIS® increases the risk of meningococcal infections.

Vaccinate patients with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of SOLIRIS; revaccinate according to current medication 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 withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy during SOLIRIS treatment has not been established. Therefore, treatment with SOLIRIS should not alter anticoagulant management.

SEE FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION FOR COMPLETE BOXED WARNING INCLUDING WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, AND ADVERSE REACTIONS.

The most frequent adverse events observed in clinical studies were headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, nausea, fatigue, and cough.

Please see important safety information (including boxed warning) as well as the complete prescribing information.

References:
1. Rosse WF, Hillmen P, Schrieber AD. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Hematology. (Am Soc Hematol Educ Program) January 2004:48-62.
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. Johnson RJ, Hillmen P. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: nature's gene therapy? J Clin Pathol Mol Pathol. 2992;55:145-152.
4. Luzzatto L, Gianfaldoni G. Recent advances in biological and clinical aspects of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Int J Hematol. 2006;84:104-112.
5. Parker C, Omine M, Richards S, et al. Diagnosis and management of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2005;106:3699-3709.
6. Brodsky RA. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SJ, et al. eds. Hematology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. 2005:419-427.
7. Rother RP, Bell L, Hillmen P, Gladwin MT. The clinical sequelae of intravascular hemolysis and extracellular plasma hemoglobin. JAMA. 2005;293:1653-1662