Cytopoint is a type of immunotherapy called an antigen-specific immunotherapeutic agent. It’s used to treat non-genetic red auto immune hemochromatosis, which is also known as secondary iron overload syndrome. Cytopoint stimulates your body’s own natural defense system to fight the disease. Before you can use Cytopoint, you need to get a prescription from your doctor and get it filled at your local pharmacy. Read on to learn more about this medication and whether or not you can buy it over the counter.
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What is Cytopoint?
Cytopoint is a brand name for the immunotherapy drug rituximab. Rituximab is usually used to treat lymphoma, but Cytopoint is approved by the FDA to treat non-genetic red auto immune hemochromatosis. Cytopoint uses antibodies to deplete excess iron from the liver, spleen, and kidneys. It’s manufactured by Cell Therapeutics and is FDA-approved for use in people with non-genetic iron overload who are at least 18 years old.
How does Cytopoint work?
Cytopoint is an antibody that depletes iron from your body’s organs. A portion of the antibody binds to your iron-rich cells, releasing the iron and binding the rest of the antibody to your immune system. Your body then recognizes the antibody as a threat and neutralizes it, also destroying the iron attached to it.
Cytopoint is administered in an IV infusion. The medication is released over the course of a few hours.
Cytopoint works by first being administered as an intravenous injection. It works by binding to iron-rich cells and depleting them of iron. Once these cells are rid of iron, they are then destroyed by your immune system.
Next, your body recognizes Cytopoint as an invader and creates antibodies against it. These antibodies are then used to bind to more iron-rich cells and deplete them of iron as well. This creates a chain reaction that continues until all of the iron-rich cells in your body are depleted.
How to use Cytopoint
Cytopoint is only administered through an IV infusion. The drug is administered on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the patient’s condition. Cytopoint is available in 50mg vials and is administered over the course of two hours. The patient can expect to receive a total of approximately 50mg of Cytopoint over the course of the two-hour infusion. Cytopoint is administered in a medically supervised setting and has potential side effects.
Side effects of Cytopoint
Cytopoint can cause side effects in some people, including fever, chills, increased risk of infection, headache, joint and muscle pain, and nausea. Cytopoint may cause a drop in white blood cells in some patients, so doctors will monitor blood counts throughout treatment. Cytopoint may also cause a drop in hemoglobin.
Cytopoint is a relatively new drug, so there’s not much information on the long-term effects of treatment with the drug. That being said, it is a chemotherapy drug and it may be associated with the same side effects present in other chemotherapy drugs.
Cytopoint is not considered a first line treatment for non-genetic iron overload. It is considered a second line treatment, which means that it may be a treatment option for people who don’t respond to first line treatments.
Is Cytopoint available over the counter?
No, Cytopoint is not available over the counter (OTC). It has been approved by the FDA as an immunotherapy drug and is only available with a prescription.
Cytopoint is approved to treat non-genetic iron overload, which is also known as secondary iron overload syndrome.
Final words: Should you buy Cytopoint?
Cytopoint is one of two drugs that are FDA-approved for non-genetic iron overload. It’s important to note that it is not FDA-approved for genetic iron overload. Cytopoint is an immunotherapy drug that uses antibodies to deplete excess iron from the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
Cytopoint may be an option for patients who don’t respond to first line treatments. Cytopoint has potential side effects, but it is an option for patients who don’t respond to other treatments.
Cytopoint is not available over the counter. It is only available with a prescription, so you must see your doctor to get it.
