#
Amevive
  • Treatments
  • Psoriasis

Amevive

Generic name:alefaceptah-LEH-fa-cept ]
Drug class:Selective immunosuppressants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 2, 2021.

What is Amevive?

Amevive is a protein that reduces specific actions of the immune system that are involved in causing psoriasis.

Amevive is used to treat plaque psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin) in adults.

Amevive may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use Amevive if you are allergic to alefacept, or if you have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Before using Amevive, tell your doctor if you have an active or chronic infection, liver disease, a history of cancer, or if you are receiving phototherapy or using drugs that weaken the immune system.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Amevive. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccine.

Amevive can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Using Amevive may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with Amevive. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, flu symptoms, mouth sores, swelling or warmth, skin redness or oozing, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, or cough with yellow or green mucus.

Before using Amevive

You should not use Amevive if you are allergic to alefacept, or if you have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

To make sure you can safely take Amevive, tell your doctor if you have other medical conditions, especially:

  • an active or chronic infection;

  • a history of cancer;

  • liver disease;

  • if you are receiving phototherapy (light therapy); or

  • if you use drugs that weaken the immune system (such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection).

Using Amevive may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

FDA pregnancy category B. Amevive is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment or within 8 weeks after you stop using Amevive.

It is not known whether alefacept passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Amevive.