Eculizumab (Soliris ®) is given as an IV into a vein at the doctor’s office or at a special center. The procedure usually takes about 35 minutes. You will probably get an IV once a week for the first 4 weeks. Starting in the 5th week, you will get a slightly higher dose of Soliris every 2 weeks.
How well does it work?
Eculiziumab has many benefits. It has been found to:
- Improve anemia
- Reduce or get rid of the need for transfusions
- Reduce the breaking apart of red blood cells (hemolysis) over both the short and the long term
- Reduce the risk of blood clots
Soliris does not help increase white blood cell count or platelet cell count.
Common Side Effects
Some common side effects of eculizumab include:
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Back pain
- Cold symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing or sore throat
If you take Soliris, you have a higher risk of being infected with the bacteria that can cause a type of meningitis. Patients should be immunized with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to administering the first dose of Soliris, unless the risks of delaying Soliris therapy outweigh the risks of developing a meningococcal infection.