Ibalizumab-Uiyk: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Ibalizumab-Uiyk is used with other HIV medicines to help control HIV infection. This is a medicine that helps reduce the amount of HIV in your body, so your immune system can work better, reducing your risk of opportunistic diseases and improving your quality of life.

1. What does Ibalizumab-Uiyk do?

Ibalizumab-uiyk belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. This drug works by preventing HIV from infecting cells in the body, protecting CD4-positive cells, which are the main targets of the HIV virus. Although ibalizumab-uiyk cannot kill HIV, but it is often used together with other HIV drugs with the following effects:
Helps reduce the risk of HIV transmission to people in contact with the infected person, better control the infection. Reducing the risk of complications caused by HIV such as opportunistic infections (tuberculosis, oral and urinary infections...) and cancer due to the use of drugs, the immune system works better. Medicines help reduce the risk of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) thereby improving the quality of life for people with HIV. However, it only reduces the risk of infection but cannot cure the disease, so it is still necessary to continue taking all HIV medicines as prescribed by your doctor. In addition, combining use with practicing safe sex practices and making lifestyle changes increases the effectiveness of reducing the risk of infection to those around.

2. Indications and usage of Ibalizumab-Uiyk

2.1 Designation

ibalizumab-Uiyk is indicated for use in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients on poorly functioning antiretroviral drugs, who are resistant to multiple antiretroviral drugs, or are failing. in current antiretroviral therapy.

2.2 Usage

The drug ibalizumab-uiyk comes in the form of a solution for intravenous use as prescribed by the doctor.
The drug is usually given in a dose of 2 times per week, the first time being injected into a vein by a doctor or nurse within at least 30 minutes. Subsequent doses may be administered over a shorter period of time, but at least within 15 minutes.
Infusion reactions may occur while you are taking this medicine and for a short time afterwards. Your doctor will monitor you for a period of about 1 hour after each injection to check for these reactions. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as trouble breathing, chest pain or tightness, cough, nausea and vomiting, or a feeling of hot flashes.
When using the drug you need to use it regularly, do not stop without a doctor's prescription, even stopping for a short time. Because stopping the drug causes the viral load to increase, leading to infections that are more difficult to treat, the risk of drug resistance or worsening of side effects. To avoid forgetting a dose, you should set a reminder or mark it in your calendar.

3. Side effects of the drug ibalizumab-uiyk

Often the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. A lot of people who use this drug have no serious side effects. However, some side effects that can occur when using the drug include:
Possible signs such as nausea, diarrhea or dizziness. If any of these effects persist or get worse, tell your healthcare provider soon. With medication, the immune system becomes more active, so the body can begin to fight infections that the body already has, thus causing the symptoms of the disease to return. You may also have symptoms if your immune system becomes overactive. This reaction can happen anytime soon after starting HIV treatment or many months later. If you have any of the following serious symptoms, contact your healthcare provider soon: Unexplained weight loss or feeling very tired. Muscle pain, muscle weakness does not decrease. Severe headaches or headaches that don't go away after a while. Joint pain, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs. Vision change. Signs of infection include fever, chills, dry lips, dirty tongue, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, cough, and skin sores that won't heal. Signs of an overactive thyroid include irritability, tremors, sweating, nervousness, increased body temperature, rapid heart rate, bulging eyes, and abnormal growths in the neck. There are signs of Guillain-Barre syndrome such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, difficulty moving eyes, drooping eyelids, paralysis, difficulty speaking. Signs of liver damage such as nausea and vomiting that won't stop, loss of appetite, liver pain, yellow eyes, yellow skin, dark urine, discolored stools... rash but usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell if this is a sign of a serious reaction so contact your healthcare provider immediately if any rash develops. Very serious allergic reactions to this medicine are very rare, some signs of a serious allergic reaction such as hives; itching or swelling especially of the face, tongue, or throat; severe dizziness, difficulty breathing,... As soon as any of the above signs are present, contact medical personnel immediately.

4. Notes when using ibalizumab-uiyk

Even a small percentage of drug side effects affect you, sometimes serious allergic reactions that can endanger your life. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to some things to limit the side effects of the drug such as:
Before using ibalizumab-uiyk, remember to tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to it; or if you have any other allergies in the past, such as food allergies, medications, etc. Or are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine. This medicine can cause dizziness as a side effect, be careful to avoid alcohol because it can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything that requires alertness when you have drug-induced dizziness, until you can do so safely. Before taking any medicine, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines such as vitamins and herbal products. Because there can be drug interactions that change the way a drug works or increase the risk of serious side effects. During pregnancy, women should only use the drug when absolutely necessary. Treatment can reduce your child's risk of passing HIV, and ibalizumab-uiyk can be part of the treatment. However, you need to discuss the risks and benefits of using it with your doctor, for specific advice. Take care to use the correct dose, do not exceed the dose. If you accidentally overdose and have serious symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, you should contact a medical facility immediately. The drug ibalizumab-uiyk works to limit the spread of the virus and increase the body's immunity of people with HIV. However, before using it, it is necessary to consult a qualified doctor to avoid serious side effects.

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Reference source: webmd.com