Anthim (obiltoxaximab) Side effects, Cost, Uses, for Anthrax

Read about Anthim (obiltoxaximab) Side effects, Cost, Uses, for Anthrax. Anthim was developed by Elusys Therapeutics, Inc. of Pine Brook, New Jersey, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Anthim (obiltoxaximab) injection to treat inhalational anthrax in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs. Anthim is also approved to prevent inhalational anthrax when alternative therapies are not available or not appropriate.

 Inhalational anthrax is a rare disease that can occur after exposure to infected animals or contaminated animal products, or as a result of an intentional release of anthrax spores. It is caused by breathing in the spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. When inhaled, the anthrax bacteria replicate in the body and produce toxins that can cause massive and irreversible tissue injury and death. Anthrax is a potential bioterrorism threat because the spores are resistant to destruction and can be spread by release in the air.

Anthim is a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes toxins produced by B. anthracis. Anthim was approved under the FDA’s Animal Rule, which allows efficacy findings from adequate and well-controlled animal studies to support FDA approval when it is not feasible or ethical to conduct efficacy trials in humans.

 Anthim (obiltoxaximab) Side effects

 The safety of Anthim was evaluated in 320 healthy human volunteers. The most frequently reported side effects were

• Headache
• Itching (pruritus)
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Cough
• Nasal congestion
• Hives
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Pain at the infusion site

 Anthim (obiltoxaximab) Prescribing Information

Anthim (obiltoxaximab) injection is prescribed to treat inhalational anthrax in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs. Anthim is also prescribed to prevent inhalational anthrax when alternative therapies are not available or not appropriate.

 Anthim (obiltoxaximab) Dosage

This drug is formulated as single-dose vial having 600mg/6mL (100mg/mL) solution of obiltoxaximab/anthim. However, standard dosage frequency of anthim is 16 mg/kg IV for those having weight 40Kg or less. Similarly, for those having weight more than 40Kg dosage frequency should be 24 mg/kg IV.

Anthim (obiltoxaximab) Cost/Price

This drug is administered by your healthcare practitioner (HCP), which usually means:

• It may comes under special items category.
• You cannot fill this prescription in a regular pharmacy. Your doctor, hospital, or clinic will provide this  medication because of possible complications or other issues.
• This drug is likely to be covered under your medical benefit if you have insurance.