Uplizna is a biologic infusion that is approved to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are anti-aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) antibody positive in adults.
NMOSD is a rare autoimmune disease that can cause blindness and paralysis in the extremities if left untreated. In those suffering with NMSOD, the body attacks healthy tissues in the central nervous system (CNS) which results in damage to the optic nerve and spinal cord.
This damage to these vital components of the CMS are the result of anti-AQP4 attacking the myelin sheath, nerve cells, and astrocytes, know known as Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). AQP4 are cells that play a crucial role in ensuring the CNS works properly, and when attacked, results in inflammation that prevents neurons from communicating messages from the brain and spinal cord. Then neurons are unable to communicate with each other, is results in a variety of depilating symptoms and the creation and progression of disability.
Uplizna works by calming the body’s overreactive immune response through lowering the level of B cells in a patient’s body, which is thought to prevent anti-AQP4 from attacking healthy tissues.
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90 minutes
6 months after first two doses of every 2 weeks.
Before your infusion, it is important to drink plenty of water and come to your appointment hydrated. Additionally, you must alert us as soon as possible to any changes in your insurance to ensure that we are still an in-network provider for your infusion therapy.