We have received a few questions from some of our readers asking about a yet unapproved drug called Evushield (Tixagevimab co-administered with Cilavimab). It seems that some doctors have prescribed Evushield under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization Program.
What is Evushield, and who should consider taking it?
In December of 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for AstraZeneca’s Evushield (tixagevimab co-packaged with Cilavimab and administered together). Evushield is designed to be used for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19 in certain adults and pediatric individuals (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms [about 88 pounds]) who are severely immuno-compromised or unable to take a COVID-19 vaccination.
The product is only authorized for those individuals who are not currently infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and who have not recently been exposed to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2. The authorization also requires that individuals either have:
moderate to severely compromised immune systems due to a medical condition or due to taking immunosuppressive medications or treatments and may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination (examples of such medical conditions or treatments can be found in the fact sheet for health care providers) or;
a history of severe adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine and/or component(s) of those vaccines, therefore vaccination with an available COVID-19 vaccine, according to the approved or authorized schedule, is not recommended.
At Cancer ABCs, we have spoken with a few patients who have taken Evushield and they have consistently reported that the drug combination has not added any additional side effects to their treatment protocols.
Please don’t think that Evushield is a substitute for COVID-19 vaccinations, it is not. If you qualify for Evushield you should also be vaccinated and boosted.
