Radicava

Radicava is a prescription medication used to treat ALS. Radicava belongs to a group of drugs called antioxidants. These work to decrease nerve damage and slow the progression of ALS. 

Radicava is administered as an injectable solution directly into the vein (IV) by a healthcare professional. 

Common side effects of Radicava include bruising, changes in the way you walk, and headache. 

Radicava is a prescription medication used to treat ALS. ALS is a disorder where nerve damage occurs slowly over time and causes muscles to weaken as well as movement disorders. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask you doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Serious side effects have been reported with Radicava. See the "Radicava Precautions" section. 

Common side effects of Radicava include the following:

• bruising
• walking disturbances
• headache
• rash

This is not a complete list of Radicava side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been evaluated by the manufacturer. However you should tell your doctor about all medicines you take including prescription and non-prescripton medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported. 

Serious side effects have been reported with Radicava including the following:

Severe allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity, including the following:

• chest pain
• swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• rash

Sulfite Allergic Reactions. Radicava contains a sulfite ingredient that can cause life-threatening allergic responses. 

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to Radicava or allergic to any of its ingredients. 

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Radicava, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Before taking Radicava, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Radicava, sulfites, or any of its other ingredients
• have or have had asthma
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Radicava. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and some babies were born with problems. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn baby. 

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Radicava crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop the use of Radicava. You and your doctor will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Radicava.

Take Radicava exactly as prescribed.

Radicava is available in an injectable form and administered directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional. 

The recommended dose of Radicava is 60 mg infused over an hour. The initial regimen is usually an infusion every day for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks without an injection. Radicava may also be given once a day for 10 days followed by 14 days without an injection. Follow your doctor's instructions about your individual dosing schedule. It is important to keep all of your appointments to receive your bortezomib dose.

If side effects become intolerable, you may need to wait longer between doses, receive a lower dose, or permanently stop the medicine if potentially serious side effects occur.

Since Radicava is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Keep all appointment with your doctor and laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to determine your body's response to Radicava.