Key points
- Receiving a complement inhibitor greatly increases someone's risk of meningococcal disease.
- Getting vaccinated and taking antibiotics offers some (but not complete) protection.
- People receiving complement inhibitors should seek treatment quickly for symptoms of meningococcal disease.
- Prompt treatment is important even for those who've been vaccinated or who're taking antibiotics.
Complement inhibitors greatly increase risk
Compared to otherwise healthy people, someone receiving a complement inhibitor is up to 2,000 times more likely to get meningococcal disease.
Complement inhibitors include eculizumab (Soliris®) and ravulizumab (Ultomiris™). Meningococcal disease is often serious and can be deadly.
Seek medical care quickly
Who's prescribed complement inhibitors
Healthcare providers most often prescribe complement inhibitors for the following four rare medical conditions:
- Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, a blood disorder
- Generalized myasthenia gravis, a disorder that leads to muscle weakness
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, a disorder of the brain and spinal cord
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a blood disorder
Protective factors
Vaccination
CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination, including regular booster shots, for people receiving complement inhibitors. Talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you are up to date on vaccination.
Antibiotics
Some healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics to people receiving complement inhibitors to help prevent meningococcal disease.
Risk remains despite protective measures
CDC data suggest that meningococcal vaccines provide incomplete protection against invasive meningococcal disease in people receiving eculizumab. Experts believe this increased risk likely also applies to people receiving ravulizumab.
People receiving a complement inhibitor can still get meningococcal disease even if they've been vaccinated or are taking antibiotics.
Resources
Product labels
Vaccination schedules
For children from birth through 6 years old