Prescribing Information: Information for the User
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion
ravulizumab
Read this entire prescribing information carefully before starting to use this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
What is Ultomiris
Ultomiris is a medication that contains the active ingredient ravulizumab and belongs to a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies, which bind to a specific target in the body. Ravulizumab has been designed to bind to the complement protein C5, which is part of the body's defense system called the "complement system".
For what Ultomiris is used
Ultomiris is used to treat adult and pediatric patients with a body weight of 10 kg or more with a disease called paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), including patients who have not been treated with a complement inhibitor and patients who have received eculizumab for at least the last 6 months. In patients with PNH, the complement system is overactive and attacks red blood cells, leading to a reduction in the number of red blood cells (anemia), fatigue, functional difficulty, pain, abdominal pain, dark urine, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, erectile dysfunction, and blood clots. By binding and blocking the complement protein C5, this medication can prevent complement proteins from attacking red blood cells and thus control the symptoms of the disease.
Ultomiris is also used to treat adult and pediatric patients with a body weight of 10 kg or more with a disease that affects the blood and kidneys, called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), including patients who have not been treated with a complement inhibitor and patients who have received eculizumab for at least 3 months. In patients with aHUS, the kidneys and blood vessels, including platelets, may become inflamed, leading to a reduction in the number of blood cells (thrombocytopenia and anemia), reduced or lost kidney function, blood clots, fatigue, and functional difficulty. Ultomiris can block the body's inflammatory response and its ability to attack and destroy its own vulnerable blood vessels, thus controlling the symptoms of the disease, such as kidney damage.
Ultomiris is also used to treat adult patients with a type of disease that affects the muscles, called generalized myasthenia gravis (MGg). In patients with MGg, the immune system can attack and damage their own muscles, leading to significant muscle weakness, vision and mobility changes, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, risk of aspiration, and a marked deterioration in daily activities. Ultomiris can block the body's inflammatory response and its ability to attack and destroy its own muscles, thus improving muscle contraction, reducing symptoms of the disease, and the impact of the disease on daily activities. Ultomiris is specifically indicated for patients who continue to be symptomatic despite treatment with other therapies.
Ultomiris is also used to treat adult patients with a disease of the central nervous system that primarily affects the optic nerves (of the eye) and the spinal cord, called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In patients with NMOSD, the optic nerves and spinal cord are attacked and damaged by the incorrect functioning of the immune system, leading to vision loss in one or both eyes, weakness or loss of movement in the legs or arms, painful spasms, loss of sensation, problems with bladder and bowel function, and significant difficulties with daily activities. Ultomiris can block the abnormal immune response of the body and its ability to attack and destroy its own optic nerves and spinal cord, thus reducing the risk of relapse or NMOSD crisis.
Do not use Ultomiris
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before starting to use Ultomiris.
Symptoms of meningococcal infections and other infections byNeisseria
Since the medication blocks the complement system, which is part of the body's defenses against infections, the use of Ultomiris increases the risk of meningococcal infection caused byNeisseria meningitidis.This is a serious infection that affects the lining of the brain,which can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis),and can spread to the blood and body (sepsis).
Consult your doctor before starting to use Ultomiris to ensure that you are vaccinated againstNeisseria meningitidisat least 2 weeks before starting treatment. If you cannot be vaccinated 2 weeks before, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection until 2 weeks after being vaccinated. Make sure your meningococcal vaccination is up to date. You should also be aware that it is possible that the vaccination will not always prevent this type of infection. According to national recommendations, your doctor may consider it necessary to take additional measures to prevent infection.
Symptoms of meningococcal infection
Given the importance of identifying and quickly treating meningococcal infection in patients receiving Ultomiris, you will be given a "patient card" that you should always carry with you, which contains a list of relevant signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection/sepsis/encephalitis.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you must inform your doctor immediately:
Treatment of meningococcal infection during travel
If you plan to travel to an area where you cannot contact your doctor or where you cannot receive medical treatment for some time, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic againstNeisseria meningitidisfor you to carry with you. If you experience any of the symptoms described above, you must take the prescribed antibiotic cycle. Remember that even if you feel better after taking the antibiotic, you must see a doctor as soon as possible.
Infections
Before using Ultomiris, inform your doctor if you have any infection.
Reactions associated with infusion
When administering Ultomiris, you may experience infusion-related reactions such as headache, lower back pain, and pain associated with infusion. Some patients may experience allergic reactions or hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that causes difficulty breathing or dizziness).
Children and adolescents
Patients under 18 years old must be vaccinated againstHaemophilus influenzaeand pneumococcal infections.
Older patients
No special precautions are required for the treatment of patients 65 years or older, although experience with Ultomiris in older patients with HPN, SHUa, or TENMO in clinical studies is limited.
Other medications and Ultomiris
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have used recently, or may need to use any other medication.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
Women of childbearing age
No effects of the medication on the fetus are known. Therefore, effective contraceptive methods should be used during treatment and for8monthsafter completing treatment in women of childbearing age.
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you think you may be pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Ultomiris is not recommended during pregnancy or in women of childbearing age who do not use contraceptives.
Driving and operating machinery
The influence of this medication on the ability to drive and operate machinery is negligible or insignificant.
Ultomiris contains sodium
Once diluted with 9 mg/ml (0.9%) sodium chloride injection solution, this medication contains 0.18 g of sodium (main component of table salt/for cooking) in 72 ml at the maximum dose. This is equivalent to 9.1% of the recommended maximum daily sodium intake for an adult. You should be aware of this if you are following a low-sodium diet.
Ultomiris contains polysorbate
This medication contains 1.5 mg of polysorbate 80 in each vial, equivalent to 0.5 mg/ml. Polysorbates can cause allergic reactions. Inform your doctor if you have any known allergies.
At least 2 weeks before starting treatment with Ultomiris, your doctor will administer a vaccine against meningococcal infections if you have not been vaccinated previously or if your vaccination is not up to date. If you cannot be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before starting treatment with Ultomiris, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection until 2 weeks after being vaccinated.
If your child is under 18 years old, your doctor will administer a vaccine (if not already done) againstHaemophilus influenzaeand pneumococcal infections in accordance with local vaccination recommendations for each age group.
Instructions for proper use
Your doctor will calculate your Ultomiris dose based on your body weight, as shown in Table 1. The first dose is called the loading dose. Two weeks after receiving the loading dose, you will be administered a maintenance dose of Ultomiris, which will be repeated subsequently every 8 weeks for patients weighing more than 20 kg and every 4 weeks for patients weighing less than 20 kg.
If you previously received another medication forHPN, the SHUa, the MGg, or the TENMOcalled eculizumab, the loading dose should be administered 2 weeks after the last eculizumab infusion.
Table 1. Ultomiris dosing schedule based on body weight
Body weight interval (kg) | Loading dose (mg) | Maintenance dose (mg) |
10 to less than 20a | 600 | 600 |
20 to less than 30a | 900 | 2100 |
30 to less than 40a | 1200 | 2700 |
40 to less than60 | 2400 | 3000 |
60 to less than 100 | 2700 | 3300 |
more than 100 | 3000 | 3600 |
aFor patients with HPN and SHUa only.
Ultomiris is administered through infusion (drip) in a vein. The infusion will last approximately45minutes.
If you receive more Ultomiris than you should
If you suspect that you have been accidentally administered a dose of Ultomiris greater than prescribed, contact your doctor for advice.
If you missed a scheduled appointment for Ultomiris
If you missed a scheduled appointment, contact your doctor immediately for advice and refer to the section “If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris” below.
If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris for HPN
If you interrupt or discontinue treatment with Ultomiris, it is possible that the symptoms of HPN will reappear with greater severity. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and explain the risks. Additionally, they will closely monitor you for at least 16 weeks.
The risks of interrupting treatment with Ultomiris include an increase in the destruction of red blood cells, which may produce the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.
If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris for SHUa
If you interrupt or discontinue treatment with Ultomiris, it is possible that the symptoms of SHUa will reappear. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and explain the risks. Additionally, they will closely monitor you.
The risks of interrupting treatment with Ultomiris include an increase in damage to small blood vessels, which may produce the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.
If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris for MGg
If you interrupt or discontinue treatment with Ultomiris, it is possible that the symptoms of MGg will reappear. Consult your doctor before interrupting treatment with Ultomiris. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and explain the risks. Additionally, they will closely monitor you.
If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris for TENMO
If you interrupt or discontinue treatment with Ultomiris, it is possible that the symptoms of TENMO will reappear. Consult your doctor before interrupting treatment with Ultomiris. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and explain the risks. Additionally, they will closely monitor you.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Your doctor will inform you about possible adverse effects and explain the risks and benefits of Ultomiris before starting treatment.
Severe Adverse Effects
The most severe adverse effect is meningococcal infection, which includes meningococcal sepsis and meningococcal encephalitis.
If you experience any of the symptoms of meningococcal infection (see section 2 Meningococcal Infection Symptoms), inform your doctor immediately.
Other Adverse Effects
If you are unsure about the adverse effects listed below, ask your doctor to explain them to you.
Very Common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through theSpanish System for Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use: www.notificaRAM.es.
By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the box after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Store in refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C).
Do not freeze.
Store in the original packaging to protect it from light.
After dilution with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injectable solution, the medication should be used immediately, or within 24 hours if stored in refrigerator or within 4 hours if stored at room temperature.
Medicines should not be disposed of through drains. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the containers and medications that you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Ultomiris
This medicine contains sodium (see section 2 “Ultomiris contains sodium”).
Appearance of the product and contents of the pack
Ultomiris is presented as a concentrate for solution for infusion (3 ml in a vial; pack size of 1).
Ultomiris is a transparent to slightly opalescent, yellowish solution and is practically free from particles.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Alexion Europe SAS
103-105, rue Anatole France
92300 Levallois-Perret
France
Responsible Person
Alexion Pharma International Operations Limited
Alexion Dublin Manufacturing Facility
College Business and Technology Park
Blanchardstown Road North
Dublin 15, D15 R925
Ireland
Almac Pharma Services (Ireland) Limited
Finnabair Industrial Estate
Dundalk
Co. Louth A91 P9KD
Ireland
Almac Pharma Services Limited
22 Seagoe Industrial Estate
Craigavon, Armagh BT63 5QD
UK
Further information on this medicinal product can be obtained by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:
België/Belgique/Belgien Alexion Pharma Belgium Tél/Tel: +32 0 800 200 31 | Lietuva UAB AstraZeneca Lietuva Tel: +370 5 2660550 |
Luxembourg/Luxemburg Alexion Pharma Belgium Tél/Tel: +32 0 800 200 31 | |
Ceská republika AstraZeneca Czech Republic s.r.o. Tel: +420 222 807 111 | Magyarország AstraZeneca Kft. Tel.: +36 1 883 6500 |
Danmark Alexion Pharma Nordics AB Tlf.: +46 0 8 557 727 50 | Malta Alexion Europe SAS Tel: +353 1 800 882 840 |
Deutschland Alexion Pharma Germany GmbH Tel: +49 (0) 89 45 70 91 300 | Nederland Alexion Pharma Netherlands B.V. Tel: +32 (0)2 548 36 67 |
Eesti AstraZeneca Tel: +372 6549 600 | Norge Alexion Pharma Nordics AB Tlf: +46 (0)8 557 727 50 |
Ελλ?δα AstraZeneca A.E. Τηλ: +30 210 6871500 | Österreich Alexion Pharma Austria GmbH Tel: +41 44 457 40 00 |
España Alexion Pharma Spain, S.L. Tel: +34 93 272 30 05 | Polska AstraZeneca Pharma Poland Sp. z o.o. Tel.: +48 22245 73 00 |
France Alexion Pharma France SAS Tél: +33 1 47 32 36 21 | Portugal Alexion Pharma Spain, S.L. - Sucursal em Portugal Tel: +34 93 272 30 05 |
Hrvatska AstraZeneca d.o.o. Tel: +385 1 4628 000 | România AstraZeneca Pharma SRL Tel: +40 21 317 60 41 |
Ireland Alexion Europe SAS Tel: +353 1 800 882 840 | Slovenija AstraZeneca UK Limited Tel: +386 1 51 35 600 |
Ísland Alexion Pharma Nordics AB Sími: +46 0 8 557 727 50 | Slovenská republika AstraZeneca AB, o.z. Tel: +421 2 5737 7777 |
Italia Alexion Pharma Italy srl Tel: +39 02 7767 9211 | Suomi/Finland Alexion Pharma Nordics AB Puh/Tel: +46 0 8 557 727 50 |
Κ?προς Alexion Europe SAS Τηλ: +357 22490305 | Sverige Alexion Pharma Nordics AB Tel: +46 0 8 557 727 50 |
Latvija SIA AstraZeneca Latvija Tel: +371 67377100 |
Last update of this leaflet:September 2024.
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency:http://www.ema.europa.eu.
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This information is intended solely for healthcare professionals:
Instructions for use for healthcare professionals
Handling of Ultomiris300mg/3ml concentrate for solution for infusion
Each vial of Ultomiris contains 300 mg of active ingredient in 3 ml of product solution.
To improve the traceability of the biological medicinal product, the name and batch number of the administered medicinal product must be clearly recorded.
The dilution must be carried out in accordance with good practices, especially in terms of asepsis.
Unless compatibility studies have been carried out, Ultomiris 300 mg/3 ml concentrate for solution for infusion must not be mixed with Ultomiris 300 mg/30 ml concentrate for solution for infusion.
Ultomiris must be prepared by a qualified healthcare professional using an aseptic technique.
Table 1. Reference table for administration of the loading dose
Weight interval (kg)a | Loading dose (mg) | Ultomiris volume (ml) | Sodium chloride volume (ml)b(ml) | Total volume (ml) | Minimum infusion duration (minutes) (hours) |
≥10 to <20c | 600 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 45 (0.8) |
≥20 to <30c | 900 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 35 (0.6) |
≥30 to <40c | 1200 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 31 (0.5) |
≥40 to <60 | 2400 | 24 | 24 | 48 | 45 (0.8) |
≥60 to <100 | 2700 | 27 | 27 | 54 | 35 (0.6) |
≥100 | 3000 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 25 (0.4) |
aBody weight at the time of treatment.
bUltomiris must be diluted only with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution.
cOnly for HPN and SHUa indications.
Table 2. Reference table for administration of the maintenance dose
Weight interval (kg)a | Maintenance dose (mg) | Ultomiris volume (ml) | Sodium chloride volume (ml)b(ml) | Total volume (ml) | Minimum infusion duration (minutes) (hours) |
≥10 to <20c | 600 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 45 (0.8) |
≥20 to <30c | 2100 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 75 (1.3) |
≥30 to <40c | 2700 | 27 | 27 | 54 | 65 (1.1) |
≥40 to <60 | 3000 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 55 (0.9) |
≥60 to <100 | 3300 | 33 | 33 | 66 | 40 (0.7) |
≥100 | 3600 | 36 | 36 | 72 | 30 (0.5) |
aBody weight at the time of treatment.
bUltomiris must be diluted only with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution.
cOnly for HPN and SHUa indications.
Table 3. Reference table for administration of the supplementary dose
Weight interval (kg)a | Supplementary dose (mg) | Ultomiris volume (ml) | Sodium chloride volume (ml)b(ml) | Total volume (ml) | Minimum infusion duration (minutes) (hours) |
≥40 to <60 | 600 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 15 (0.25) |
1200 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 25 (0.42) | |
1500 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 30 (0.5) | |
≥60 to <100 | 600 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 (0.2) |
1500 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 22 (0.36) | |
1800 | 18 | 18 | 36 | 25 (0.42) | |
≥100 | 600 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 10 (0.17) |
1500 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 15 (0.25) | |
1800 | 18 | 18 | 36 | 17 (0.28) |
aBody weight at the time of treatment.
bUltomiris must be diluted only with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution.
The patient must be observed for at least one hour after the infusion. If an adverse effect occurs during the administration of Ultomiris, the infusion may be interrupted or the infusion rate reduced at the discretion of the doctor.
Store in the refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C). Do not freeze. Store in the original packaging to protect it from light.
Do not use this medicinal product after the expiry date that appears on the box after CAD. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.
The disposal of unused medicinal product and all materials that have come into contact with it must be carried out in accordance with local regulations.
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.