The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued on Wednesday, December 8, a statement authorizing the use of the medicine Evusheld from the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
It is a new drug with antibodies against coronavirus Covid-19 intended for those who have not been able to get vaccinated for presenting serious health problems or allergies.
The product is authorized for those people who currently are not infected for coronavirus and that they have not been in contact with any positive.
“Vaccines have proven to be the best defense available against COVID-19. However, there are certain immunosuppressed individuals who may not have an adequate immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine, or those who have a history of serious adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine and therefore cannot receive one and need one. alternative prevention option “, it affirmed Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Administration of the new drug Evusheld
This new drug from AstraZeneca it is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies. Its administration will be through two consecutive injections, one for each antibody.
These monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a laboratory that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight harmful pathogens such as viruses.
According to FDA, possible side effects of the drug include reactions of hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction), injection site bleeding, headache, fatigue, and cough.
Conditions of use according to the FDA
The authorization the use of the drug requires that people have immune systems “moderately to severely compromised” due to a medical condition or due to the taking of immunosuppressive medications or treatments, so they may not generate an adequate immune response to the Covid-19 vaccine.
It is also intended for those with a history of “adverse or serious reactions” to a Covid-19 vaccine or its components.
Evusheld does not replace vaccination against Covid-19, is intended for those who, due to various health problems, have not been able to do so.
The FDA urges the population to get vaccinated whenever possible.
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