Empaveli (Pegcetacoplan) for PNH

Overview
Empaveli is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Empaveli is also known by its drug name, Pegcetacoplan.

Empaveli is a complement inhibitor that works by blocking part of the immune system known as the complement pathway, which is overactive in PNH. This action helps prevent the destruction of red blood cells, a key problem in PNH.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Empaveli is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. The recommended dosage schedule for treating PNH is twice weekly. Empaveli can be administered either through a commercially available pump or the Empaveli Injector. The medication should be administered exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Empaveli include injection-site reactions, infections, diarrhea, abdominal pain, respiratory tract infections, pain in extremities, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), fatigue, viral infections, cough, arthralgia (joint pain), dizziness, headache, and rash.

Rare but serious side effects may include serious infections caused by encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. A person taking this medication should be monitored for signs and symptoms of these infections and should be evaluated immediately by a medical professional if an infection is suspected.

Additionally, individuals taking Empaveli should be monitored for infusion-related reactions and managed appropriately if they occur. Empaveli may also affect certain lab tests, especially those that measure blood clotting, by making the results seem abnormal even when they are not.

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Label: Empaveli — Pegcetacoplan Injection, Solution — DailyMed

Empaveli — Drugs.com