satralizumab at a glance
Medicine class
Monoclonal antibody and interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor
Licensed use
AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD in adults and adolescents from 12 years
Administration
Injection under the skin using a single-use pre-filled syringe
Key safety issue
Can increase susceptibility to infection and alter liver enzymes and blood-cell counts
What is satralizumab used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Treatment of AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age.
Use alone or alongside specified immunosuppressive therapy, according to specialist assessment.
How does satralizumab work?
Satralizumab binds soluble and cell-surface interleukin-6 receptors and blocks their signalling. Interleukin-6 contributes to inflammation, immune-cell activation and production of harmful AQP4 antibodies in NMOSD; blocking this pathway helps reduce further inflammatory attacks.
satralizumab preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 120 mg
How to take satralizumab
Treatment is initiated under an NMOSD specialist. The injection is given under the skin of the abdomen or thigh; injection sites should be rotated.
The first injection is supervised by a qualified healthcare professional. A trained adult patient or caregiver may subsequently inject at home if the specialist considers this appropriate.
Allow the syringe to reach room temperature naturally before use. Do not heat it.
Do not use a damaged syringe or liquid that is cloudy, discoloured or contains particles.
Avoid moles, scars, bruised or broken skin and areas that are red, hard or tender.
Use each syringe once and dispose of it immediately in an approved sharps container.
satralizumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Injection-site or injection-related reactions
- Raised blood fats
- Reduced white blood-cell count
- Rash or itching
- Migraine, stiffness or difficulty sleeping
- Changes in liver enzymes, platelets or bilirubin on blood tests
Get urgent medical advice
- Serious allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial swelling
- Serious or opportunistic infection
- Possible liver injury, such as jaundice, dark urine, persistent nausea or abdominal pain
satralizumab in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable, so the product information recommends avoiding satralizumab during pregnancy as a precaution. Anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant should contact their NMOSD specialist so maternal disease control and uncertain fetal risks can be considered together.
satralizumab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether satralizumab enters human milk. Exposure may be most relevant during the first days after birth, when maternal IgG transfer into milk is greater; later use may be considered only when clinically needed after specialist discussion.
satralizumab interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Tell the prescriber about all medicines and planned vaccinations.
Warfarin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and theophylline
Starting or stopping satralizumab may alter CYP-mediated clearance, so clinical or laboratory monitoring and adjustment may be required.
Live or live-attenuated vaccines
These should not be given concurrently because safety with satralizumab has not been established; vaccination status should be reviewed before treatment.
Azathioprine, oral corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil
Population analyses did not identify an effect on satralizumab clearance, and these medicines may form part of specialist combination therapy.
Common questions about satralizumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is satralizumab used for?
It is used to reduce relapses in AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD in eligible adults and adolescents.
Does satralizumab cure NMOSD?
No. It is intended to reduce further inflammatory attacks rather than cure NMOSD or reverse established nerve damage.
Does satralizumab suppress the immune system?
Yes. It blocks interleukin-6 signalling and is classed as an immunosuppressant, which can increase susceptibility to infection.
Can satralizumab be injected at home?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.