Brand: Sylvant
Generic: Siltuximab
Sylvant injection is used to treat a rare blood disorder called multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD).
This medicine is used in patients who do not have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) infection.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using Sylvant, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.
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 Population: Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of siltuximab injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric Population: Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of siltuximab injection in the elderly.
Pregnancy All Trimesters: Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.
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.
When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
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.
Proper usage of Sylvant requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
The medicine must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for 1 hour. This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Before using Sylvant, there are some precautions you must take. If you will be using this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor checks you at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You must use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during therapy and for 3 months after the last dose of this medicine.
Your body's ability to fight infection may be reduced while you are using siltuximab. It is very important that you call your doctor at the first sign of any infection.
Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while receiving this medicine: a fever, chills, cough, flu-like symptoms, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
While you are being treated with siltuximab, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Live virus vaccines should not be given with this medicine or soon after you receive it.
This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are receiving this medicine.
Siltuximab may cause an infusion reaction while you are receiving it or right after the infusion ends. Check with your doctor or nurse right away if you have back pain, chest pain or discomfort, fast or uneven heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, trouble breathing, or redness of the face, neck, arms, and upper chest.
This medicine may increase your risk of gastrointestinal perforation. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: severe abdominal or stomach pain or cramps, bloody, black, or tarry stools, or vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Sylvant. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
More common:
Less common:
Rare:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
More common:
Less common:
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.
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