The drug contains human albumin, and for this reason there is very little risk of transmission of viral diseases. The theoretical risk of transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is also considered highly unlikely.
Changes in laboratory indicators
In addition to standard laboratory tests, administered in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis,Before beginning therapy with Ecstasy, and also regularly during the treatment, it is recommended to conduct a detailed blood test, including the determination of the leukocyte formula, platelet count and biochemical blood test, and also check the liver function (for example, activity ACT, ALT and γ-GT). When managing patients with anemia, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia (individually or in combination), a more detailed monitoring of the expanded blood test may be required, including the determination of the number of red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets and the leukocyte formula.
Disorders from the digestive system
In rare cases, against the backdrop of the use of Extavia, there was a development of pancreatitis, in most cases associated with the presence of hypertriglyceridemia.
Dysfunction of the liver and bile duct
Clinical studies have shown that treatment with Ecstasy can often lead to an asymptomatic increase in hepatic transaminases, which in most cases is only slightly expressed and transient.
As with other beta-interferon treatment, severe liver damage (including liver failure) with the use of Extavia is rare.The most severe cases were observed in patients exposed to hepatotoxic drugs or substances, as well as in certain concomitant diseases (for example, malignant diseases with metastasis, severe infections and sepsis, alcohol abuse).
When treating Ecstasy, it is necessary to monitor liver function (including assessment of the clinical picture). Increasing the level of transaminases in the serum requires careful monitoring and examination. With a significant increase in transaminases in the blood serum or the appearance of signs of liver damage (eg, jaundice), the drug should be discontinued. In the absence of clinical signs of liver damage or after normalization of the level of liver enzymes, it is possible to resume treatment with Ecstasy with monitoring the liver function.
Endocrine disorders
Patients with thyroid dysfunction are recommended to regularly check the function of the thyroid gland (thyroid hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormone), and in other cases - according to clinical indications.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
Ecstasy should be used with caution in patients with heart disease, in particular, with heart failure III-IV stage by classicthe New York Heart Association (NYH), because such patients were not included in the clinical studies.
If the cardiomyopathy is developing against the backdrop of treatment with Ecstasy and it is supposed that this is due to the use of the drug, then Ecstasy treatment should be discontinued.
Diseases of the nervous system
Patients should be informed that the side effect of Ecstasy may be depression and suicidal thoughts, which should immediately be addressed to a doctor.
In two controlled clinical trials involving 1657 patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis, there was no significant difference in the incidence of depression and suicidal ideation with the use of Extavia or placebo. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised in appointing Ekstavia to patients with depressive disorders and suicidal thoughts in the anamnesis. If such phenomena occur on the background of treatment, the question of whether to discontinue the drug should be considered.
Ecstasy should be used with caution in patients with epileptic seizures in history.
General disorders and reactions at the injection site
Serious allergic reactions can occur (rare, but manifested in acute and severe form, such as bronchospasm, anaphylaxis and urticaria).
If signs of damage to the integrity of the skin appear (for example, the flow of fluid from the injection site), the patient should consult a doctor before he continues with the injections of Ecstasy.
Patients who received Ecstasy received cases of necrosis at the injection site. Necrosis can be extensive and spread to the muscular fascia, as well as adipose tissue and, as a result, lead to the formation of scars. In some cases, it is necessary to remove the necrotic areas or, more rarely, skin transplantation. The healing process can take up to 6 months.
When multiple foci of necrosis appear, treatment with Ecstasy should be discontinued until the damaged areas are completely healed. In the presence of a single focus, if necrosis is not too extensive, the use of Ecstasy can be continued, as in some patients, the healing of the necrotic site at the injection site occurred against the background of the drug.
In order to reduce the risk of developing a reaction and necrosis at the injection site, patients should be recommended:
- to carry out injections, strictly observing the rules of asepsis,
- each time to change the injection site,
- administer the drug strictly subcutaneously.
Periodically, one should monitor the correctness of performing independent injections, especially when local reactions appear.
Neutralizing antibodies
As with any other drug with protein content, when using Ecstavia, it is possible to form antibodies. In a number of controlled clinical trials, serum analysis was performed every 3 months to detect the development of antibodies to interferon beta-1b.
In these studies, it was shown that neutralizing antibodies to interferon beta-1b developed in 23-41% of patients, which was confirmed by at least two subsequent positive results of laboratory tests. In 43-55% of these patients, in subsequent laboratory studies, a stable absence of antibodies to interferon beta-1b.
It has not been proven that the presence of neutralizing antibodies has any significant effect on clinical outcomes, including data MPT. With the development of neutralizing activity, the appearance of any side reactions was not associated.
The decision to continue or discontinue therapy should be based on the indicators of the clinical activity of the disease, and not on the status of neutralizing activity.
Immune disorders
The use of cytokines in patients with monoclonal gammapathy was sometimes accompanied by a systemic increase in capillary permeability with the development of shock and death.