zilucoplan sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Complement component C5 inhibitor
Licensed use
Add-on treatment for anti-AChR antibody-positive generalised myasthenia gravis in adults
Administration
Subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled syringe after appropriate training
Key safety requirement
Meningococcal vaccination is required but does not remove the infection risk completely
What is zilucoplan sodium used for?
Licensed use:
Add-on to standard therapy for adults with generalised myasthenia gravis who are anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody positive.
How does zilucoplan sodium work?
Zilucoplan binds complement protein C5 and prevents formation and activity of the membrane attack complex. This reduces complement-mediated damage at the connection between nerves and muscles.
zilucoplan sodium preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 16.6 mg, 23 mg, 32.4 mg
How to take zilucoplan sodium
Use the pre-filled syringe exactly as demonstrated by a healthcare professional. It is injected under the skin; another trained person must inject the back of the upper arm.
Suitable areas are the abdomen, front of the thighs and back of the upper arms.
Rotate injection sites. Avoid tender, red, bruised, hard or scarred skin and stretch marks.
Allow a refrigerated syringe to reach room temperature naturally; do not heat it another way.
Do not use a syringe that has been dropped, damaged or frozen, or if the liquid is cloudy, discoloured or contains particles.
Dispose of the used syringe immediately in an appropriate sharps container.
zilucoplan sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site effects such as bruising, pain, itching, a lump or haematoma
- Upper respiratory infections, including nose, throat or sinus infections
- Diarrhoea
- Raised amylase or lipase on blood testing
- Localised hardened or discoloured skin patches called morphoea
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms suggesting meningococcal meningitis or bloodstream infection require immediate emergency assessment.
- Other Neisseria infections, including gonorrhoea, may occur and require prompt assessment and treatment.
zilucoplan sodium in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable. A specialist should consider treatment only when the expected clinical benefit outweighs potential risks. Contact the prescriber if pregnant, planning pregnancy or pregnancy is suspected.
zilucoplan sodium while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether zilucoplan enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The specialist and patient should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against the benefits of continuing treatment.
zilucoplan sodium interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Clinically important CYP-, UGT- or common transporter-mediated interactions are not expected, but one pharmacodynamic interaction is identified.
Rituximab
C5 inhibition may reduce rituximab's complement-dependent cytotoxic effect and expected pharmacodynamic activity.
Common questions about zilucoplan sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is zilucoplan sodium licensed for every type of myasthenia gravis?
No. Its UK licence covers adults with generalised myasthenia gravis who are anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody positive, used alongside standard therapy.
Why is meningococcal vaccination needed?
Blocking C5 weakens an important defence against meningococcal bacteria. Vaccination lowers the risk but cannot prevent every infection.
How should the syringes be stored?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.