Anthrasil

Anthrasil is a prescription medication used to treat patients who have inhaled and become infected with anthrax.Anthrasil is used in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs. 

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

Anthrax immune globulin IV (human) is a specific immune globulin (hyperimmune globulin) that contains immunoglobulin G (IgG) prepared from plasma of healthy donors immunized with anthrax vaccine adsorbed to achieve high titers of anti-anthrax antibody.1 The immune globulin contains polyclonal antibodies that bind the protective antigen (PA) component of Bacillus anthracis lethal and edema toxins.1

Anthrax immune globulin IV (human) has the following uses:

Anthrax immune globulin IV (human) is indicated for the treatment of inhalational anthrax in adult and pediatric patients in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs.1

Anthrax immune globulin IV (human) has the following limitations of use:

The effectiveness of anthrax immune globulin IV (human) is based solely on efficacy studies conducted in animal models of inhalational anthrax.1

Anthrax immune globulin IV (human) does not have any direct antibacterial activity.1

Anthrax immune globulin IV (human) does not cross the blood-brain barrier and does not prevent or treat meningitis.1

There have been no studies of anthrax immune globulin IV (human) in pediatric, geriatric, or obese populations.1

Specific Drugs

It is essential that the manufacturer's labeling be consulted for more detailed information on interactions with this drug, including possible dosage adjustments. Interaction highlights:

Please see product labeling for drug interaction information.

AHFS First Release. For additional information until a more detailed monograph is developed and published, the manufacturer's labeling should be consulted. It is essential that the manufacturer's labeling be consulted for more detailed information on usual uses, dosage and administration, cautions, precautions, contraindications, potential drug interactions, laboratory test interferences, and acute toxicity.

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Anthrax immune globulin IV (human) is stored in the US Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).1 2 The SNS ensures that certain drugs and medical supplies are readily available to prevent or treat specific diseases, including during public health emergencies, and is managed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).3

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of anthrax immune globulin injection have not been performed in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children 16 years of age and younger.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of anthrax immune globulin injection in the geriatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to IgA (immunoglobulin A), history of or
• IgA (immunoglobulin A) deficiency with antibodies against IgA—Should not be given to patients with these conditions.

• Blood clotting problems or
• Diabetes or
• Heart attack or stroke, recent or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• Hyperviscosity (thick blood), known or suspected or
• Kidney disease or
• Paraproteinemia (paraproteins in the blood) or
• Sepsis (serious infection in the body)—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Agitation
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• blurred vision
• chills
• coma
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• flushing or redness of the skin
• general body swelling
• headache
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• hoarseness
• hostility
• irritability
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• muscle twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• noisy breathing
• nosebleeds
• pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
• pale skin
• rapid weight gain
• redness of the skin
• seizures
• severe headaches of sudden onset
• slow or irregular breathing
• sore throat
• stiff neck or back
• stupor
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden onset of shortness of breath for no apparent reason
• sudden onset of slurred speech
• sudden vision changes
• sweating
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusually warm skin
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Pain or swelling at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.