Brodalumab - Subcutaneous

Brodalumab is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (a type of skin disease that allows the skin cells to rapidly build up causing itchy patches of thick, red skin and silvery scales).

Brodalumab is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen area).

Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you. If you or your caregiver had been given the proper training on the preparation and injection techniques of this medicine, you or your caregiver may do the administration.

Use Brodalumab exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not administer more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1.5 inches away from the previous injection site. Do not inject near the navel (belly button) and into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, thick, scaly, scarred, or affected by psoriasis.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.

Brodalumab must be administered regularly for it to be effective. Continue using this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop using it unless instructed by the doctor.

Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Brodalumab.

If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.

If you or a caregiver had been trained to administer this medicine and missed a dose, inject the missed dose as soon as you remember and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you forgot to administer your dose.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• active Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that usually affects the small intestine and colon)
• any active infection e.g. TB (an infection known as tuberculosis)

as Brodalumab may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of long-term or recurring infection
• history of depression
• inflammatory bowel disease (group of diseases that cause long-term inflammation of the digestive tract)

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is important that you do not get pregnant while using this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Brodalumab therapy and for 12 weeks after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Screening tests for TB must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
• Routine tests (e.g. liver function, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of infection, TB and depression may also be needed.

Brodalumab may cause any of the following side effects: diarrhoea, nausea, headache, muscle pain, tiredness, and redness, pain, bleeding or bruising at the injection site.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth or throat
• fever, chills, mouth sores, sore throat, cough, blood in sputum
• severe diarrhoea, bloody stools, decreased appetite, stomach pain or cramps, weight loss
• dry or leathery skin, fluid-filled bumps or skin patches, skin redness, blisters or peeling

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with Brodalumab. Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C.

Do not freeze or shake Brodalumab otherwise, it will no longer be effective and should not be used.

If needed, it may be stored at room temperature (below 25°C) for a maximum of 14 days.

Keep the pre-filled syringes in their original package to protect from light.

If you notice that the injection has changed colour or has become cloudy, do not use it. Throw it away and use a new injection.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.