Ravulizumab 100 mg/mL formulation reduces infusion time and frequency, improving the patient and caregiver experience in the treatment of atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2022 Jul;47(7):1081-1087. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13642. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Abstract

What is known and objective: The C5 inhibitor eculizumab is the standard of care for treatment of atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). Ravulizumab, a next-generation C5 inhibitor, was engineered to have a longer terminal half-life than eculizumab. We describe practical benefits of the advanced ravulizumab 100 mg/mL formulation.

Comment: Use of ravulizumab results in fewer maintenance infusions per year (25%-50%) compared with eculizumab. Maintenance infusion time of ravulizumab 100 mg/mL is 2-4 times shorter than ravulizumab 10 mg/mL in all weight cohorts and approximately half that of eculizumab for patients weighing <40 kg. Ravulizumab 100 mg/mL requires fewer vials annually than eculizumab in most weight cohorts.

What is new and conclusion: With ravulizumab 100 mg/mL, patients and caregivers experience fewer infusions per year and decreased annual infusion times, improving infusion experience. Infusion centres can expect corresponding decreases in resource utilization.

Keywords: atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome; eculizumab; infusion interval; infusion time; ravulizumab.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Caregivers
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • ravulizumab