Description and Brand Names
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
US Brand Name
- Pemgarda
Descriptions
Pemivibart injection is used to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients who are not infected, have had no recent exposure, or who have moderate to severe immune system problems (eg, cancer, HIV infection, patients who received an organ transplant, patients receiving treatment that weakens the immune system).
This medicine is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of pemivibart injection in children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 40 kilograms (kg). Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of pemivibart injection in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
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Allergy to polysorbate 80, history of—Use with caution. May increase risk for allergic reactions.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through an IV catheter that is placed into one of your veins every 3 months. The medicine must be given slowly, so your IV will need to stay in place for at least 60 minutes.
This medicine comes with a Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents, and Caregivers. Read and follow the information in the Fact Sheet carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine to make sure that it is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, skin rash, large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness after receiving this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you have back pain, chest tightness, chills, fever, flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, trouble breathing, or weakness. These may be symptoms of infusion-related reactions, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
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Back pain
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body aches or pain
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chest tightness
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chills
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cough
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ear congestion
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fever
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flushing
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headache
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loss of voice
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nausea and vomiting
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sneezing
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sore throat
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stuffy or runny nose
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trouble breathing
Less common
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Diarrhea
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general feeling of discomfort or illness
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joint pain
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loss of appetite
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muscle aches and pains
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shivering
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sweating
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trouble sleeping
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unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
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Difficulty swallowing
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dizziness
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fast heartbeat
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hives, itching, skin rash
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large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
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puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
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Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/zh-hans/drugs-supplements/pemivibart-intravenous-route/proper-use/drg-20566692