Home Drug Guide Mirikizumab-mrkz

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Mirikizumab-mrkz

Brand Names Omvoh

Classification

Therapeutic: Antirheumatic, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD)

Pharmacological: Monoclonal antibody (IL-23 inhibitor)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Ulcerative colitis

Mechanism of Action

Mirikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23), inhibiting its interaction with the IL-23 receptor and consequently reducing inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: The recommended dose is 180 mg administered as an intravenous infusion at weeks 0, 4, and then every 8 weeks thereafter.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustments required; monitor elderly patients closely due to potential for increased susceptibility to infections.

Renal Impairment: No specific adjustments recommended.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustments recommended.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Administered via IV infusion; systemic absorption details are not applicable.

Distribution: Limited data, but as a monoclonal antibody, it primarily remains in the vascular and extracellular spaces.

Metabolism: Metabolized via proteolytic catabolism into peptides and amino acids.

Excretion: Excreted through normal proteolytic pathways; no renal or hepatic clearance data suggest significant elimination via these routes.

Half Life: Approximately 15 to 20 days.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to mirikizumab or any excipients.
  • Active infections.

Precautions

  • Monitor for infections during therapy.
  • Consider risk of immunosuppression; assess for latent infections before initiation.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Upper respiratory infections (Frequent)
  • Headache (Frequent)
  • Injection site reactions (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Serious infections (Uncommon)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (Rare)
  • Malignancies (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other immunosuppressants or biologics—monitor for increased risk of infection or immunosuppression.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No specific interactions identified.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Limited data; use caution with herbal supplements that affect immunity.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of infection, allergic reactions, and response to therapy.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection
  • Impaired skin integrity at injection site

Implementation: Administer as prescribed; monitor patient closely after infusion for adverse reactions; educate patient on infection signs.

Evaluation: Assess effectiveness via symptom reduction, monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any signs of infection immediately.
  • Keep all follow-up appointments.
  • Inform about possible side effects, including signs of allergic reactions or infections.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Serious infections, including tuberculosis and invasive fungal infections, have been reported with IL-23 inhibitors.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic markers required for use.

Lab Test Interference: No known interference with routine lab tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Unknown; monitor for adverse reactions and manage supportively.

Treatment: Supportive care, no specific antidote.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store vials refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze.

Stability: Stable for the duration of the labeled shelf life when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.