Crizanlizumab
Sickle cell disease agents
Sickle cell disease agents
A humanised antibody against P-selectin, given by infusion to reduce pain crises in sickle cell disease from age 16.
Also called: crizanlizumab-tmca
Quick facts
- Group
- Sickle cell disease agents
- Target
- P-selectin on activated endothelium and platelets
- Used for
- Reduction of vaso-occlusive
- Key effects
- Nausea · Back or joint pain · Fever
- Monitor
- Signs of infusion reaction during
- ATC
- B06AX01
No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.
Mechanism of action
No structure with crizanlizumab is available; the figure shows human P-selectin holding its natural partner PSGL-1, the contact that crizanlizumab blocks.
Crizanlizumab is a humanised IgG monoclonal antibody that binds P-selectin, an adhesion molecule exposed on activated endothelial cells and platelets. It blocks the interactions between vessel wall, platelets, red cells and leucocytes that start vaso-occlusion.
- Inflamed endothelium and platelets display P-selectin
- Crizanlizumab binds P-selectin
- Red cells, platelets and leucocytes stick less to the vessel
- Fewer vaso-occlusive pain crises
Indications
- Reduction of vaso-occlusive (pain) crises in sickle cell disease, from 16 years Sickle cell disease →
Adverse effects
Common
- Nausea
- Back or joint pain
- Fever
- Infusion-site redness, pain, swelling or burning
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to crizanlizumab
Key interactions
- Other medicines
- No specific interactions are named on MedlinePlus; laboratory staff are told about the treatment before tests
What is monitored
- Signs of infusion reaction during and after the infusion
- Frequency of pain crises
Administration and safety
- Intravenous infusion by a health professional
- The patient is observed during and after the infusion
- Laboratory staff are told about the treatment before blood tests
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy or breastfeeding are discussed with the doctor; a pregnancy during treatment is reported.
Nursing care
- Take vital signs before and after the infusion
- Teach the patient to report fever, chills, rash or breathing problems in the next 24 hours
- Distinguish an infusion reaction from the start of a pain crisis
- Keep a crisis diary
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Intravenous infusion
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What does crizanlizumab bind?
P-selectin.
How is it given?
By intravenous infusion.
Within what time after a dose do infusion reactions usually appear?
Within 24 hours.
Connections
← Back to the class: Sickle cell disease agents
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Crizanlizumab-tmca Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.