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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using alefacept (Amevive)?

Patients with HIV should not take alefacept. Talk to your doctor before taking alefacept if you are HIV positive.

Do not use alefacept without first talking to your doctor if you

• have had a previous allergic reaction to alefacept;
• have heart or blood vessel problems;
• have cancer or a history of cancer;
• have an infection or a history of chronic infection; or
• are taking another immunosuppressive medication or are receiving phototherapy.

You may not be able to use alefacept, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Alefacept is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use alefacept without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether alefacept passes into breast milk. Do not use alefacept without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use alefacept (Amevive)?

Use alefacept exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Alefacept is administered by a healthcare provider as an intravenous (into the vein) or intramuscular (into the muscle) injection.

Alefacept is usually administered once a week for a twelve week period. Your doctor will give you detailed information on the best treatment regimen for you.

It is important to use alefacept regularly to get the most benefit.

Alefacept reduces levels of certain white blood cells in the body. If the level of these white blood cells falls too low, treatment with alefacept may need to be withheld temporarily or discontinued. Your doctor will monitor your white blood cell levels during treatment.

Your doctor will want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with alefacept to monitor progress and side effects

Alefacept will be stored by your healthcare provider as directed by the manufacturer.

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