Imaavy®

What is Imaavy®?

Imaavy® (nipocalimab-aahu) treats generalized myasthenia gravis, often shortened to gMG. It is approved for adults and for kids 12 and older who test positive for AChR or MuSK antibodies. Your doctor can tell you which type you have from a blood test.

In myasthenia gravis, your muscles get weak and tire out quickly. It can affect walking, lifting things, speaking, swallowing, and moving your eyes. Symptoms often get worse the more you use a muscle and better when you rest.

Imaavy is given through an IV at our MS Infusion Therapy | Rocky Mountain MS Clinic.

• Your first dose: Based on your weight

• How often after that: Every 2 weeks, at a lower dose

• Total appointment time: About 1 to 2 hours

Imaavy is given on a steady every two-week schedule. Some other myasthenia gravis drugs are given in rounds, with breaks in between. If you are comparing your options, this is a real difference worth asking your neurologist about.

How does Imaavy work?

Your muscles move when your nerves send them a signal. In myasthenia gravis, your immune system makes proteins called antibodies that block those signals. Your muscles never get the message, so they feel weak and tired.

Your body normally recycles antibodies so they can keep working for a long time. A receptor called FcRn does that recycling job.

The problem is that FcRn recycles the harmful antibodies too. It keeps them in your blood instead of clearing them out.

Here is what it does:

• Imaavy blocks FcRn. It stops the recycling process.

• Harmful antibodies get cleared out. Your body breaks them down instead of keeping them.

• Nerve signals get through again. Your muscles start receiving the messages they were missing.

• Strength improves. Many people find daily tasks easier.

In studies, antibody levels dropped a lot after the very first dose, and people stayed better over time.

Everyone responds differently. Your neurologist will check your progress using simple strength tests and will also ask how you are doing with everyday things like climbing stairs or chewing a meal. Both matter.

Common side effects:

• Infections in your nose, throat, or lungs

• Swelling in your hands, feet, or legs

• Muscle cramps

• Headache

Serious side effects — get medical help right away:

• Infections. Imaavy lowers your antibody levels, so infections may be harder to fight off. If you are sick, your treatment will be put off until you are better.

• Allergic reactions. These can include a rash or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.

• Live vaccines. You should not get live vaccines while on Imaavy. Talk with your care team about your shots before you start.

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