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Alemtuzumab
Alemtuzumab is a drug approved to treat a specific kind of leukemia called B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It works by signaling the immune system to bind to a certain type of antigen in white blood cells, which causes the cancer cells to die. A healthcare provider administers this product via infusion in a healthcare setting. Infections, fever, and chills are among the reported side effects.
Alemtuzumab (Campath®) is a prescription medication approved to treat a certain type of leukemia (cancer of the blood and bone marrow) known as B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It belongs to a group of drugs known as monoclonal antibodies.
(Click What Is Alemtuzumab Used For? for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Just like any medicine, alemtuzumab can cause side effects, some of which can be quite significant. In fact, most people who use the drug will experience some type of adverse reaction during treatment.
Your healthcare provider will give you medicines to help manage some of these side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about strategies to prevent or treat any problems you may experience.
Common side effects of alemtuzumab include but are not limited to:
- Decreased blood cell counts
- Infection
- Fever
- Chills.
(Click Alemtuzumab Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD