If you have a certain rare blood disorder or kind of myasthenia gravis, your doctor might suggest Ultomiris as a treatment option for you.

Ultomiris is a medication that is used to treat a number of conditions.

The active ingredient in Ultomiris is ravulizumab-cwvz. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Ultomiris is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms.

Ultomiris comes as a solution that a healthcare professional gives as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time).

If Ultomiris is working for you, you will likely use it for a long time.

For more information about Ultomiris, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Ultomiris can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Below are some of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ultomiris in studies. These side effects can vary depending on what condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people receiving Ultomiris for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome include:

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

More common side effects in people receiving Ultomiris for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria include:

  • There is a throbbing head.
  • The upper respiratory tract is an area that can be affected by an infectious disease.

More common side effects in people receiving Ultomiris for generalized myasthenia gravis include:

  • The upper respiratory tract is an area that can be affected by an infectious disease.
  • There is a lot of There is a lot of There is a lot of diarrhea…

The side effects of Ultomiris are mild. Mild side effects have been reported with Ultomiris. The side effects varied depending on the condition Ultomiris was used to treat.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop using Ultomiris.”

Ultomiris may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Ultomiris prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ultomiris, visit MedWatch.

Some people have experienced serious side effects while receiving Ultomiris in studies, though this was rare.

There have been serious side effects reported with Ultomiris.

* Ultomiris has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you develop serious side effects, you should call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

There are a lot of questions about the side effects of Ultomiris.

Can Ultomiris cause mood changes, such as anger?

In general, it’s not likely. For example, anger was not reported in studies of Ultomiris.

But anxiety was reported by some people receiving Ultomiris to treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).

If you are experiencing mood changes during Ultomiris treatment, talk to your doctor.

Does Ultomiris cause brain-related side effects?

Yes, Ultomiris may cause certain brain-related side effects. In studies of the drug, some people experienced dizziness and There is a throbbing head.s.

Others developed meningococcal infection, a more serious and sometimes life threatening side effect involving the brain or spinal cord. In fact, Ultomiris has a boxed warning for risk of this side effect. (For more information, see the “Side effects explained” section below.)

If you have questions about Ultomiris, you should talk to your doctor.

Will I have side effects after suddenly stopping Ultomiris treatment?

It’s possible. If you have paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), your doctor will monitor you for hemolysis (ruptured red blood cells) for 16 weeks after you stop receiving Ultomiris. If you have aHUS, they’ll monitor you for signs and symptoms of thrombotic microangiopathies, such as destruction of red blood cells, low platelet level, and organ damage, for 12 months.

You could develop a meningococcal infection after stopping Ultomiris treatment.

withdrawal symptoms should not be caused by stopping Ultomiris suddenly. Talk to your doctor before you stop receiving Ultomiris. They can tell you how to do it safely.

What Ultomiris side effects might a baby have?

Children who have PNH or aHUS can be treated with Ultomiris.

In studies of Ultomiris, children and adults experienced similar side effects. The most common side effects that occurred in children were The upper respiratory tract is an area that can be affected by an infectious disease.s, Red blood cells are low., There is belly pain., and There is a throbbing head..

Children are at risk of meningococcal infections when receiving Ultomiris. Babies may experience different symptoms than older children and adults.

If your baby has any of the symptoms, you should contact their doctor.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about Ultomiris side effects.

Some of the side effects of Ultomiris can be found here.

Risk of serious meningococcal infections

Ultomiris has a boxed warning for risk of serious meningococcal infections.

Meningococcal infections can be severe. Life-threatening infections of this kind occurred in Ultomiris studies.

Meningococcal infections usually occur in the lining of the brain and spinal cord. They can also spread throughout the body and cause sepsis, a severe response to an infection that can become fatal.

Meningococcal infections and sepsis have some symptoms.

  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever….
  • stiff neck
  • There is confusion.
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • increased sensitivity to light
  • nausea or vomiting
  • “It’s cold.”
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • There are severe pains in the joints, chest, muscles, or belly.

What might help

If your meningococcal vaccinations are not up to date, your doctor will recommend that you get these immunizations at least 2 weeks before starting Ultomiris treatment. Doctors usually won’t prescribe Ultomiris to people who haven’t received meningococcal vaccines. Vaccination reduces your risk of getting a meningococcal infection, though it’s still possible.

Ultomiris is only available through a REMS program due to the risk of meningococcal infections. REMS is designed to help prevent people from getting this kind of infections. Only healthcare professionals who are specially certified can prescribe Ultomiris.

For more information about the Ultomiris REMS, talk with your doctor or visit the Ultomiris REMS program webpage.

If you are experiencing symptoms of meningococcal infection, you should contact your doctor. If the symptoms seem life threatening, call the emergency room.

High blood pressure

In studies, high blood pressure was a common serious side effect in people using Ultomiris to treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

High blood pressure is not a cause of symptoms. You may notice symptoms in extreme cases of high blood pressure.

There were no reports of severe high blood pressure in Ultomiris studies.

What might help

If you have any concerns about high blood pressure during Ultomiris treatment, talk with your doctor. They may monitor your blood pressure more often during treatment and have you do the same at home. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help lower your blood pressure.

If you notice symptoms of high blood pressure, immediately seek medical attention at the nearest emergency room or dial the emergency number.

Anxiety

Anxiety was reported in people using Ultomiris to treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in studies. But it’s unknown whether this side effect was caused by Ultomiris.

Symptoms of anxiety include:

What might help

Taking a warm bath, meditating, listening to calming music, or doing anything that makes you feel safe are some things you can do at home to help ease anxiety during Ultomiris treatment.

“If your anxiety doesn’t go away, you should talk to your doctor. They can recommend therapy to help with the side effect.”

Serious infections

In studies of Ultomiris, some people developed serious infections, such as pneumonia or tonsillitis. Children may have an increased risk of developing certain infections while receiving Ultomiris.

Symptoms of an infection may include:

  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever….
  • fatigue
  • sore throat.
  • cough
  • The breath was very thin.
  • There is chest pain.
  • fast heartbeat
  • The appetite has been lost.
  • There is a lot of There is a lot of There is a lot of diarrhea…
  • Body ache.

What might help

Make sure you and your child are up to date on their vaccinations. Ask your doctor if you need any vaccinations before Ultomiris starts.

If you develop any symptoms of an illness, contact your doctor. They will want to see you in person to determine the severity of your infection. They can recommend an appropriate treatment for your problem.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Ultomiris can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But these reactions were rare in studies of the drug.

Drug injections can cause allergic reactions to Ultomiris. There were reports of people who developed anaphylaxis after receiving an injection.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an over-the-counter antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms that you have an allergic reaction to Ultomiris, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Ultomiris, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your Ultomiris treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing your notes with your doctor will help them learn more about Ultomiris. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Ultomiris comes with a number of warnings.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious meningococcal infections

Ultomiris has a boxed warning for the risk of serious meningococcal infections, which may lead to sepsis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Due to this risk, Ultomiris is only available through a safety program called the Ultomiris Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).

In studies, some people experienced life threatening meningococcal infections or sepsis while receiving Ultomiris. As a result, doctors usually won’t prescribe Ultomiris to people who have a meningococcal infection or who are not up to date with their meningococcal vaccinations.

To learn more about this boxed warning, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

If you have certain medical conditions, ultimirs may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect whether Ultomiris is a good option.

Before starting Ultomiris, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

  • Active infection. Ultomiris may raise your risk of infection, including serious infections. If you have an existing infection, the drug could make it harder to treat. Prior to treatment with Ultomiris, let your doctor know if you have an active infection. They’ll likely treat it before you start receiving Ultomiris.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ultomiris or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Ultomiris. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and Ultomiris

It is not known if Ultomiris interacts with alcohol. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you can safely consume.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while receiving Ultomiris

It’s unknown if Ultomiris is safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding. But untreated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria during pregnancy also has risks, including pregnancy loss and premature delivery.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of Ultomiris.

Ultomiris can cause side effects, but they are more common than other drugs. Mild side effects will resolve on their own or with treatment. Others may need immediate medical attention.

“Before you start Ultomiris treatment, you should talk to your doctor about the drug’s side effects. This information can help you decide if Ultomiris is a good option for you. Here are a few questions you may want to ask your doctor.”

  • What can I do to prevent Ultomiris from happening?
  • Is there other treatment options that have less side effects?
  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects from this drug than other people?

Q:

Do I need to take antibiotics if I have not been vaccinated against meningococcal infections?

Anonymous

A:

If your meningococcal vaccinations are not up to date, your doctor will recommend that you receive the appropriate vaccines before you start Ultomiris treatment.

If you are not up to date on your vaccinations, you will need to take antibiotics for 2 weeks. The vaccine can cause meningococcal infections.

This is important because Ultomiris has a risk of meningococcal infections, which may lead to sepsis. In fact, Ultomiris has a boxed warning for this risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (For more information about this warning, see the “Side effects explained” section above.)

“If you have a meningococcal infection, your doctor will not prescribe Ultomiris if you haven’t been shot.”

If you take antibiotics and are protected against meningococcal infections, you may still get an infection.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about Ultomiris, vaccinations, meningococcal infections, or antibiotics.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.