[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Sickle cell disease agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/sickle-cell-disease-agents/) › Crizanlizumab

# 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.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: crizanlizumab-tmca

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Sickle cell disease agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/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.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◆**P-selectin on activated endothelium and platelets**Crizanlizumab

ⓘ No structure with crizanlizumab is available; the figure shows human P-selectin holding its natural partner PSGL-1, the contact that crizanlizumab blocks.

**Target in 3D:** P-selectin on activated endothelium and platelets. PDB structure 1G1S (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1G1S) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

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 →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Nausea
- Back or joint pain
- Fever
- Infusion-site redness, pain, swelling or burning

### Serious (rare, important)

- Infusion reactions within 24 hours of a dose (fever, chills, rash, wheezing, breathing difficulty)

## 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

## Memory aid

«CRIZAN-lizumab cuts the Selectin Velcro»: red cells slide instead of sticking.

## 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.

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[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 1

- [L-glutamine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/l-glutamine/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Sickle cell disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/)

[← Back to the class: Sickle cell disease agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/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](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a620010.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=B06AX&showdescription=no) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/crizanlizumab/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/crizanlizumab/