ALERT-FDA-MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS DRUG LEMTRADA (ALEMTUZUMAB)

From The U.S. Food & Drug Administration

FDA warns about rare but serious risks of stroke and blood vessel wall tears with multiple sclerosis drug Lemtrada (alemtuzumab)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that rare but serious cases of stroke and tears in the lining of arteries in the head and neck have occurred in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) shortly after they received Lemtrada (alemtuzumab). These problems can lead to permanent disability and even death.

Patients or their caregivers should seek emergency treatment as soon as possible if the patient experiences signs or symptoms of a stroke or tears in the lining of the head and neck arteries, called arterial dissection, which can include:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially if it occurs on only one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden severe headache or neck pain

Most patients taking Lemtrada who developed stroke or tears in the artery linings, developed symptoms within 1 day of receiving Lemtrada. One patient reported symptoms that occurred 3 days after treatment.

Health care professionals should advise patients at every Lemtrada infusion to seek immediate emergency medical attention if they experience symptoms of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or cervicocephalic arterial dissection.

See the FDA website for more information,

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm624247.htm?utm_campaign=FDA%20MedWatch%20-%20Lemtrada%20%28alemtuzumab%29%3A%20Drug%20Safety%20Communication&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua