General

Pronunciation:
kap-la-siz-ue-mab

Trade Name(s)

• Cablivi

Ther. Class.

antiplatelet agents

Pharm. Class.

anti-von Willebrand Factor

monoclonal antibodies

Indications

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) (in combination with plasma exchange and immunosuppressive therapy).

Action

Targets the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and inhibits the interaction between vWF and platelets, which subsequently inhibits platelet adhesion and platelet consumption.

Therapeutic Effect(s):

Increased platelet count and cessation of plasma exchange.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailability; 90% absorbed following SUBQ administration.

Distribution: Minimally distributed to tissues.

Metabolism and Excretion: Target-bound caplacizumab metabolized by liver; unbound drug is broken down by proteolytic enzymes. Unbound drug excreted in the urine.

Half-life: Unknown.

TIME/ACTION PROFILE (plasma concentrations)

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity.

Use Cautiously in:

• Underlying coagulopathy (↑ risk of bleeding);
• Severe hepatic impairment;
• OB:   Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk;
• Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant;
• Pedi:   Safety and effectiveness not established in children.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Derm: urticaria

Hemat: BLEEDING

MS: back pain, myalgia

Neuro: fatigue, headache, paresthesia

Resp: dyspnea

Misc: fever, hypersensitivity reactions

* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.

Interactions

Drug-Drug

↑ risk of bleeding with  anticoagulants,  aspirin,  clopidogrel,  ticagrelor,  prasugrel,  fibrinolytics,  NSAIDs,  SNRIs, or  SSRIs ; avoid concurrent use with anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents.

Route/Dosage

IV SUBQ (Adults): First day of treatment: 11 mg via IV bolus given ≥15 min before plasma exchange, then followed by 11 mg via SUBQ injection after completion of plasma exchange;  Subsequent days of treatment during daily plasma exchange: 11 mg via SUBQ injection once daily after completion of plasma exchange;  Treatment after plasma exchange period: 11 mg via SUBQ injection once daily for 30 day following last daily plasma exchange. If signs of persistent disease continue, treatment may be extended for up to an additional 28 days. Discontinue drug if patients experiences ≥2 recurrences of acquired TTP while on therapy.

Availability

Lyophilized powder for injection: 11 mg/vial

Assessment

• Monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding (epistaxis, gingival bleeding, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, menorrhagia) during therapy. Risk is increased in patients with underlying coagulopathies (hemophilia, other coagulation factor deficiencies) or in patients taking drugs affecting hemostasis and coagulation. Interrupt therapy if significant bleeding occurs; may administer vWF concentrate to rapidly correct hemostasis. Monitor for bleeding if caplacizumab is restarted.

Implementation

• First Day: administer 11 mg bolus IV push at least 15 min prior to plasma exchange followed by an 11 mg SUBQ injection after completion of plasma exchange. Subsequent days of treatment during daily plasma exchange: administer 11 mg SUBQ injection once daily following plasma exchange.
• Withhold therapy 7 days prior to elective surgery, dental procedures, or other invasive interventions.
• IV Push:  Give first dose via IV push. Ensure vial and diluent syringe are at room temperature. Attach provided syringe of 1 mL sterile water for injection to vial adaptor to reconstitute caplacizumab for 11 mg/mL single dose solution. Do not remove syringe from vial adaptor. Gently swirl vial until completely dissolved; do not shake. Solution is clear and colorless; do not administer solutions that are cloudy, discolored, or contain particulate matter. Withdraw reconstituted solution from vial into syringe. Administer full amount of reconstituted solution. For initial IV push injection, if using an IV line, connect glass syringe to a standard Luer lock (and not a needleless connector); flush with 0.9% NaCl or D5W. Use solution immediately or within 4 hr of reconstitution if refrigerated.
• SUBQ Reconstitute subsequent doses using technique above. Administer subsequent doses SUBQ into abdomen avoiding 2 inches around navel; rotate quadrants with each injection. Pinch skin and inject at 45° to 90° angle; do not rub injection site. Patient and caregiver can be trained to administer SUBQ injections.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to take caplacizumab as directed. Administer doses missed during plasma exchange period as soon as possible. Doses missed after plasma exchange period can be administered within 12 hr of scheduled time of administration. Beyond 12 hr, omit missed dose and administer next daily dose according to usual dosing schedule. Advise patient to read  Instructions for Use  before starting and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
• Instruct patient on correct procedure for self-injection and needle disposal.
• Advise patient that bruising and bleeding may occur more easily and that nosebleeds and bleeding of gums may occur and may take longer than usual to stop bleeding. Advise patients to notify health care professional immediately if excessive bleeding or bruising occur.
• Rep:  Advise females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. Increased risk of bleeding in mother, fetus, and neonate; monitor closely.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

Increased platelet count and cessation of plasma exchange in patients with acquired TTP.