Amevive® (alefacept) may help your skin look and feel better. It’s a prescription medication for moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis that
gives you at least a 12-week break from treatment.[1] Amevive may take 8 weeks or longer
before you see any noticeable changes in your psoriasis—so it’s important to be patient. If you do respond, Amevive may keep working while
you get 12 weeks—or more—off therapy.[2]
As you read through this website, you will learn more about Amevive and how it may help you manage your moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
Amevive may not work for everyone, and results can vary. To help decide if Amevive is right for you, please talk to your doctor.
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How Amevive is given
Your doctor gives you a weekly shot of Amevive for 12 weeks, then you get at least a 12-week break from treatment.[1,2] Learn more.
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What to expect from Amevive
Some people who respond to Amevive see their best response after treatment ends. Your results may vary.[2,3] Learn more.
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Safety profile
Amevive has an established safety profile and was well tolerated in clinical trials.[1] Learn more.
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How Amevive works
Amevive fights moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis where it begins—in cells beneath the skin’s surface.[1,2] Learn more.
References
- 1. Amevive® (alefacept) prescribing information, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
- 2. Lebwohl M, Christophers E, Langley R, et al. An international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial of
intramuscular alefacept in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139:719-727.
- 3. Data on file, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Amevive is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Important Safety Information
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Amevive reduces the number of certain T cells. That is part of how it is thought to treat psoriasis. This reduction could increase the
possibility of getting an infection or cancer. Before taking Amevive, be sure to tell your doctor if you have had a serious infection or
cancer. Amevive should not be taken if you are HIV positive.
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Because Amevive reduces the number of T cells, you should have a blood test every 2 weeks during the dosing period to check your T-cell
levels. If your T-cell levels are too low, your doctor will check your blood weekly and will either postpone or stop treatment with Amevive.
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Some patients who received Amevive in clinical studies were found to have cancers. Most of these cases were skin cancers. There were also
other types of cancer and lymphomas. Some patients developed serious infections, including wound infections and pneumonia.
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During and after taking Amevive, if you notice anything unusual about your health or any signs of infections such
as swollen glands, fever, or chills, notify your doctor right away.
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Amevive should not be taken if you are known to be allergic to Amevive or any of its components, since serious
allergic reactions such as hives, with or without swelling of the mouth and tongue, have been seen.
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Some patients treated with Amevive have had serious liver injury. If your skin or the whites of your eyes become yellow, if you start to
bruise easily, or if you have persistent loss of appetite or vomiting, you should call your doctor right away.
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Commonly reported side effects that occurred in clinical studies with Amevive included sore throat, dizziness, cough, nausea, itching,
muscle aches, chills, injection site reactions, and accidental injury.
If you become pregnant during treatment with Amevive, tell your doctor and consider enrolling in the Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-866-834-7223.
Information collected in this program is kept confidential.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
fda.gov/medwatch or
call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the full prescribing information and talk to your
doctor for more information.