KEVZARA 150 mg SOLUTION FOR INJECTION IN A PRE-FILLED PEN

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Kevzara 150 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

Kevzara 200 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

sarilumab

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

In addition to this leaflet, you will be given a patient information card, which contains important safety information that you need before and during treatment with Kevzara.

Contents of the pack

1. What is Kevzara and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you use Kevzara
3. How to use Kevzara
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Kevzara

1. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Kevzara and what is it used for

What is Kevzara

Kevzara contains the active substance sarilumab. It is a type of protein called a “monoclonal antibody”.

What is Kevzara used for

Kevzara is used to treat adults with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when previous treatments have not worked well or have not been tolerated. Kevzara can be used alone or in combination with a medicine called MTX.

It may help to:

• slow down joint damage
• improve your ability to perform daily activities.

Kevzara is used to treat adults with polymyalgia rheumatica after corticosteroids have been used and have not worked well or if you experience a relapse while tapering the corticosteroid dose (gradual reduction). Kevzara can be used alone or in combination with a medicine called corticosteroid.

How Kevzara works

• Kevzara binds to the receptor of another protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) and blocks its action.
• IL-6 plays a major role in the symptoms of RA such as pain, joint inflammation, morning stiffness, and fatigue.

2. What you need to know before you use Kevzara

Do not use Kevzara:

• if you are allergic to sarilumab or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have a severe active infection.

Warnings and precautions

Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if:

• you have any infection or if you get infections often. Kevzara may reduce your body's ability to fight infection, which means you may be more likely to get infections or make your infection worse.
• you have tuberculosis (TB), symptoms of TB (persistent cough, weight loss, lack of interest, mild fever), or have been in close contact with someone with TB. Before starting treatment with Kevzara, your doctor will perform tests for TB.
• you have had viral hepatitis or other liver disease. Before using Kevzara, your doctor will perform a blood test to check your liver function.
• you have had diverticulitis (a disease of the colon) or stomach or intestinal ulcers, or develop symptoms such as fever and stomach pain (abdominal pain) that does not go away.
• you have ever had any type of cancer.
• you have been recently vaccinated or are about to be vaccinated.

If any of the above applies to you (or if you are not sure), talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before using Kevzara.

Blood tests should be performed before you receive Kevzara. Blood tests should also be performed during your treatment. This is to check if you have a low blood cell count, liver problems, or changes in your cholesterol levels.

Each time you receive a new pack of Kevzara, it is important that you write down the name of the medicine, the date of administration, and the batch number (which appears on the packaging after “Batch”) and keep this information in a safe place.

Children and adolescents

The Kevzara pre-filled pen has not been studied in children from 2 years of age with pJIA and is not indicated for use in children.

Kevzara is not recommended for use in children under 2 years of age. Kevzara should not be administered to children with pJIA who weigh less than 10 kg.

Other medicines and Kevzara

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or might use any other medicines. This is because Kevzara may affect the way other medicines work. Other medicines may also affect the way Kevzara works.

In particular, do not use Kevzara and tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using:

• a group of medicines called “Janus kinase inhibitors (JAK)” (used for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer)
• other biologic medicines used to treat RA.

If any of the above applies to you (or if you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Kevzara may affect the way some medicines work: this means that it may be necessary to change the dose of other medicines. If you are using any of the following medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Kevzara:

• statins, used to lower cholesterol levels
• oral contraceptives
• theophylline, used to treat asthma
• warfarin, used to prevent blood clots.

If any of the above applies to you (or if you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Talk to your doctor before using Kevzara if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby.

• Do not use Kevzara if you are pregnant unless your doctor specifically recommends it.
• The effects of Kevzara on the fetus are unknown.
• Your doctor and you must decide if you should receive treatment with Kevzara if you are breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

Kevzara is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you feel tired or unwell after receiving treatment with Kevzara, do not drive or use machines.

KEVZARA contains polysorbate 20

This medicine contains 2.28 mg of polysorbate 20 in each 1.14 ml of solution for injection equivalent to 2 mg/ml. Polysorbates may cause allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you have any known allergies.

3. How to use Kevzara

Treatment should be initiated by a doctor with experience in the diagnosis and treatment of RA or polymyalgia rheumatica. Follow exactly the instructions for administration of this medicine given by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist again.

Adult patients

The recommended dose is one 200 mg injection every 2 weeks.

• Your doctor may adjust the dose of your medicine based on the results of your blood tests.

Kevzara is given as an injection under the skin (called a “subcutaneous” injection).

Learn how to use the pre-filled pen

• Your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse will teach you how to inject Kevzara. Following these instructions, Kevzara can be injected by you or administered by a caregiver after receiving adequate training.
• Follow carefully the “Instructions for Use” included in the packaging.
• Use the pre-filled pen exactly as described in the “Instructions for Use”.

If you use more Kevzara than you should

If you have used more Kevzara than you should, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

If you forget to use a dose of Kevzara

If it has been 3 days or less since the missed dose:

• inject your missed dose as soon as possible.
• then give your next dose on the next scheduled day.

If it has been 4 days or more, inject your next dose on the next scheduled day. Do not inject a double dose to make up for the missed injection.

If you are not sure when you should inject your next dose, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse for instructions.

If you stop treatment with Kevzara

Do not stop treatment with Kevzara without talking to your doctor.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Severe side effect

Tell your doctor immediatelyif you think you have an infection(which may affect up to 1 in 10 people). Symptoms may include fever, sweating, or chills.

Adults

Other side effects

Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you notice any of the following side effects:

Very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• low white blood cell count according to blood tests

Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• infections of the nasal passages or throat, congestion or runny nose, and sore throat (“upper respiratory tract infection”)
• urinary tract infection
• oral herpes
• low platelet count according to blood tests
• high cholesterol, high triglycerides according to blood tests
• abnormal liver function tests
• reactions at the injection site (including redness and itching)
• inflammation of the deep skin tissue
• lung infection

Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• diverticulitis (a disease that affects the intestine, often with stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, fever, and constipation, or less frequently diarrhea)

Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• perforation in the stomach or intestines (a hole that develops in the wall of the intestine)

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is possible that they are not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V*. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Kevzara

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month shown.

Store in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C).

• Do not freeze.
• Once removed from the refrigerator, do not store Kevzara at a temperature above 25 °C.
• Write the date you removed the pen from the refrigerator on the space provided on the outer packaging.
• Use the pen within 14 days of removing it from the refrigerator or insulated bag.
• Keep the pen in the original packaging to protect from light.

Do not use this medicine if the solution in the pen is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles, or if any part of the pre-filled pen appears damaged.

After use, put the pen in a puncture-resistant container. Keep the container out of the sight and reach of children. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse how to dispose of the container.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help protect the environment.

6. Container Contents and Additional Information

Kevzara Composition

• The active ingredient is sarilumab. Each pre-filled pen contains 150 mg or 200 mg of sarilumab in 1.14 ml of solution.
• The other excipients are arginine, histidine, polysorbate 20 (E 432), sucrose, and water for injectable preparations.

Product Appearance and Container Contents

Kevzara is a clear, colorless to pale yellow injectable solution presented in a pre-filled pen.

Each pre-filled pen contains 1.14 ml of solution providing a single dose. Kevzara is available in packs containing 1 or 2 pre-filled pens and multi-packs containing 3 packs, each with 2 pre-filled pens.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Kevzara is available as 150 mg or 200 mg pre-filled pens.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Sanofi Winthrop Industrie

82 avenue Raspail

94250 Gentilly

France

Manufacturer

Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH

Brüningstraße 50

Industriepark Höchst

65926 Frankfurt am Main

Germany

Genzyme Ireland Ltd.

IDA Industrial Park

Old Kilmeaden Road

Waterford

Ireland

You can request more information about this medicinal product by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:

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Date of Last Revision of this Prospectus:

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu.

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Kevzara 150 mg Solution for Injection in Pre-filled Pen

sarilumab

Instructions for Use

The parts of the Kevzara pre-filled pen are shown in this drawing.

Important Information

This device is a single-dose pre-filled pen (referred to as a “pen” in these instructions). It contains 150 mg of Kevzara for subcutaneous injection once every two weeks.

Ask your healthcare professional to show you how to use the pen correctly before your first injection.

What to Do

• Read all the instructions carefully before using a pen.
• Check that you have the correct medicine and the correct dose.
• Store unused pens in the original container and keep them in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2 °C and 8 °C.
• Keep the container in a thermal bag with a cold pack when traveling.
• Let the pen reach room temperature for at least 60 minutes before using it.
• Use the pen within 14 days of removing it from the refrigerator or thermal bag.
• Keep the pen out of sight and reach of children.

What Not to Do

• Do not use the pen if it has been damaged or if the cap is missing or not attached.
• Do not remove the cap until you are ready for injection.
• Do not press or touch the yellow needle cover with your fingers.
• Do not try to put the cap back on the pen.
• Do not reuse the pen.
• Do not freeze or heat the pen.
• Once removed from the refrigerator, do not store the pen at a temperature above 25 °C.
• Do not expose the pen to direct sunlight.
• Do not inject through clothing.

If you have any further questions, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

Step A: Preparation for Injection

1. Prepare all the equipment you will need in a clean and flat area.
   • You will need an alcohol swab, a cotton ball or gauze, and a sharps container.

• Remove a pen from the container by holding it in the middle of the pen body. Store the remaining pen in the container in the refrigerator.

1. Look at the label.
   • Check that you have the correct medicine and the correct dose.
   • Check the expiration date (EXP), this information is shown on the side of the pens.
   • Do notuse the pen if it is expired.

1. Look at the window.
   • Check that the liquid is clear and colorless to pale yellow.
   • You may see an air bubble, this is normal.
   • Do notproceed with the injection if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
   • Do notuse the pen if the window is solid yellow.

1. Place the pen on a flat surface and let it reach room temperature (<25 °C) for at least 60 minutes.
   • Using the pen at room temperature may make the injection more comfortable.
   • Do notuse the pen if it has been out of the refrigerator for more than 14 days.
   • Do notheat the pen; let it warm up naturally.
   • Do notexpose the pen to direct sunlight.

1. Select the injection site.
   • You can inject into your thigh or stomach (abdomen) except for the 5 cm around your navel. If someone else is giving you the injection, you can also choose the outer upper arm.
   • Change the injection site each time you inject.
   • Do notinject into sensitive, damaged, or scarred skin.

1. Prepare the injection site.
   • Wash your hands.
   • Disinfect the skin with an alcohol swab.
   • Do nottouch the injection site again before the injection.

Step B: Perform the Injection - Proceed with Step B only after completing Step A “Preparation for Injection”

1. Twist and remove the orange cap.
   • Do notremove the cap until you are ready for the injection.
   • Do notpress or touch the yellow needle cover with your fingers.
   • Do notput the cap back on.

1. Place the yellow needle cover on your skin at an angle of approximately 90º.
   • Make sure you can see the window.

1. Press down and hold the pen firmly against your skin.
   • A “click” will be heard when the injection starts.

1. Continue to hold the pen firmly against your skin.
   • The window will start to change color to yellow.
   • The injection may take up to 15 seconds (15 s).

1. A second click will be heard. Check that you can see that the entire window has turned completely yellow before removing the pen.
   • If you do not hear the second click, continue to check if the window has turned completely yellow.
   • If the window has not turned completely yellow, do notadminister a second dose without consulting your healthcare professional.

1. Remove the pen from your skin.
   • If you see a little blood, press on the injection site with a cotton ball or gauze.
   • Do notrub the skin after the injection.

1. Put the used pen and cap into a sharps container immediately after use.
   • Always keep the container out of sight and reach of children.
   • Do notput the cap back on.
   • Do notthrow away used pens.
   • Do notthrow away the used sharps container unless local regulations permit it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse how to dispose of the container.