Abstract
* Eculizumab (Soliris) is now approved to treat the rare blood disorder atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in adults and children.
* Common adverse effects include hypertension, diarrhea, headache, anemia, vomiting, nausea, upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, and leukopenia.
* Eculizumab's label carries a warning that the drug increases the risk of life-threatening meningococcal infection. Nurses should confirm that vaccination against meningococcal infection occurred at least two weeks before patients start therapy with eculizumab.