Home Drug Guide Ansuvimab-zykl

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Ansuvimab-zykl

Brand Names Ebanga

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiviral agent

Pharmacological: Monoclonal antibody

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of Ebola Virus Disease in adults and children

Mechanism of Action

Ansuvimab-zykl is a monoclonal antibody that targets the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus, neutralizing the virus and preventing it from entering cells, thereby inhibiting viral replication.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Loading dose of 50 mg/kg administered intravenously over 60 minutes, with the possibility of additional doses based on clinical response.

Pediatric: Same dosing as adults, based on weight. Detailed dosing should be guided by clinical protocol.

Geriatric: No specific adjustments recommended, but caution advised due to potential comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: No specific dosage adjustments required.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific data available.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Administered intravenously, so absorption is complete.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body fluids, with a large volume of distribution typical of monoclonal antibodies.

Metabolism: Metabolized by proteolytic degradation into amino acids.

Excretion: Excreted via catabolic pathways, not affected by renal function.

Half Life: Approximately 15 days.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to ansuvimab-zykl or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with a history of allergic reactions to monoclonal antibodies. Monitoring during infusion recommended.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Infusion-related reactions (fever, chills, hypotension) (Unknown, but monitoring required)
  • Headache (Unknown)
  • Nasal congestion (Unknown)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)
  • Serious infusion reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • No specific interactions identified at this time.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No known food interactions.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Limited data; caution advised with concomitant herbal products.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for infusion-related reactions, allergic responses, and overall clinical response.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for allergic reaction
  • Risk for infusion-related reactions

Implementation: Administer as an intravenous infusion in a controlled setting with resuscitation equipment available.

Evaluation: Monitor patient for resolution of symptoms and adverse reactions post-infusion.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Inform about possible reactions during and after infusion.
  • Report any signs of allergic reactions such as rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling.
  • Follow outpatient instructions if discharged shortly after infusion.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None identified at this time.

Genetic Factors: None relevant to pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics.

Lab Test Interference: No significant interference expected.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Potential for exaggerated infusion reactions or hypersensitivity.

Treatment: Discontinue infusion immediately, provide supportive care, and manage allergic reactions as needed.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a refrigerator at 2-8°C (36-46°F).

Stability: Stable until the expiration date indicated on the vial.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.