Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Evkeeza

Descriptions


Evinacumab-dgnb injection is used together with other medicines to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). This medicine is an ANGPTL3 (angiopoietin-like protein 3) inhibitor.

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:

  • Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

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

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of evinacumab-dgnb injection in children younger than 5 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of evinacumab-dgnb injection in the elderly.

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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

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.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 60 minutes. It is usually given once a month (every 4 weeks).

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol level and to decide if you should continue to use it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for at least 5 months after your last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, skin rash, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

  1. Chest tightness
  2. cough
  3. difficulty swallowing
  4. dizziness
  5. fast heartbeat
  6. hives, itching, skin rash
  7. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  8. trouble breathing
  9. unusual tiredness or weakness

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. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Chills
  2. diarrhea
  3. fever
  4. general feeling of discomfort or illness
  5. headache
  6. itching at the injection site
  7. joint pain
  8. loss of appetite
  9. muscle aches, pains, or weakness
  10. nausea
  11. shivering
  12. sore throat
  13. stuffy or runny nose
  14. sweating
  15. trouble sleeping
  16. vomiting

Less common

  1. Body aches or pain
  2. constipation
  3. ear congestion
  4. lack or loss of strength
  5. loss of voice
  6. pain in the arms or legs
  7. sneezing
  8. stomach pain

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.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/evinacumab-dgnb-intravenous-route/side-effects/drg-20509605