Prospect: information for the patient
Vyvgart 1 000 mg injectable solution
efgartigimod alfa
This medicine is subject to additional monitoring, which will expedite the detection of new information about its safety. You can contribute by reporting any adverse effects you may experience. The final part of section 4 includes information on how to report these adverse effects.
Read this prospect carefully before starting to use this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
1. What is Vyvgart and how it is used
2. What you need to know before starting to use Vyvgart
3. How to use Vyvgart
4. Possible adverse effects
5. Storage of Vyvgart
6. Contents of the package and additional information
What is Vyvgart
Vyvgart contains the active ingredient efgartigimod alfa. Efgartigimod alfa binds to a protein in the body called the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and blocks it. By blocking FcRn, efgartigimod alfa reduces the level of autoantibodies against immunoglobulin G (IgG), which are proteins of the immune system that attack parts of the body of a person by mistake.
What is Vyvgart used for
Vyvgart is used in combination with the standard treatment to treat adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. MG can affect various muscle groups throughout the body. The disease can also cause shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and difficulty swallowing.
In patients with MG, autoantibodies against IgG attack and damage proteins on nerves called acetylcholine receptors. Due to this damage, nerves are unable to normally contract muscles, causing muscle weakness and difficulty moving. By binding to the FcRn protein and reducing autoantibody levels, Vyvgart may improve muscle contraction ability and reduce disease symptoms and their impact on daily activities.
Do not use Vyvgart
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before starting to use Vyvgart.
MGFA Class V
Your doctor cannot prescribe this medication if you are connected to a ventilator due to muscle weakness caused by MG (myasthenic crisis).
Infections
Treatment with Vyvgart may reduce your natural resistance to infections, so inform your doctor if you have any infections before starting to use Vyvgart.
Injection reactions and allergic reactions
Vyvgart contains a protein that may cause reactions such as rash or itching in some people. Vyvgart may cause anaphylactic reaction (severe allergic reaction). If you experience allergic reactions such as facial swelling, lip, throat, or tongue swelling that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe, shortness of breath, feeling of loss of consciousness, or skin rash during or after theinjection, inform your doctor immediately.
Vaccinations (vaccines)
Inform your doctor if you have received any vaccine in the last 4weeks, or if you plan to get vaccinated in the near future.
Children and adolescents
Do not administer this medication to children under 18years, as the safety and efficacy of Vyvgart have not been established in this population.
Older adults
No special precautions are necessary for the treatment of patients over 65years.
Other medications and Vyvgart
Inform your doctor if you are using, have used recently, or may need to use any other medication.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Driving and operating machines
No effect is expected on the ability to drive or operate machines.
Vyvgart contains sodium
This medication contains less than 1mmol of sodium (23mg) per vial; essentially "sodium-free".
Follow exactly the administration instructions for this medication as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
What dose of Vyvgart you will receive and how often
The recommended dose is 1,000 mg administered in cycles of one injection per week for 4 weeks. Your doctor will decide when additional treatment cycles are needed.
If you are already being treated with Vyvgart via intravenous administration and wish to switch to subcutaneous administration, you should receive the subcutaneous injection instead of your intravenous infusion at the start of the next treatment cycle.
Injection of Vyvgart
Vyvgart is administered via an injection under the skin (subcutaneously). You and your doctor must decide whether, after proper training, you or your caregiver can administer Vyvgart. The first self-injection should be performed in the presence of a healthcare professional. It is essential that you do not attempt to inject Vyvgart before receiving training from a healthcare professional.
If you or your caregiver administer Vyvgart, you or your caregiver must carefully read and follow the Administration Instructions that appear at the end of this leaflet (see "Important Use Instructions"). Discuss any doubts you have about administering an injection with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
If you use more Vyvgart than you should
Since Vyvgart is administered in a single-use vial, it is unlikely that you will receive too much. However, if you are concerned, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse for advice.
If you missed or forgot a scheduled appointment to receive Vyvgart
Keep a record of your next dose. It is essential that you use Vyvgart exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take a double dose to compensate for missed doses.
If you interrupt treatment with Vyvgart
Discontinuing or stopping treatment with Vyvgart may cause your MG symptoms to recur. Consult with your doctor before interrupting treatment with Vyvgart. Your doctor will explain the possible adverse effects and risks. Your doctor will also closely monitor you.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Your doctor will explain the possible adverse effects and the risks and benefits of Vyvgart before treatment.
Inform your doctor immediately if you notice:
Signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) such as swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe, shortness of breath, feeling of loss of consciousness, or skin rash during or after the injection.
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 10patients)
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10patients)
Unknown Frequency(cannot be estimated from available data)
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through thenational notification system included in theAppendixV. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of thismedicine.
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 and on the label 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.
In case of need, unopened vials can be stored at room temperature (up to 30°C) for a maximum of 3 days. After storage at room temperature, unopened vials can be returned to the refrigerator. The total time outside the refrigerator and at room temperature should not exceed 3 days.
Store in the original packaging to protect it from light.
Do not use this medication if you observe particles.
Medicines should not be thrown into the drains or trash. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the containers and the medications that you no longer need. In this way, you will help to protect the environment.
Composition of Vyvgart
Appearance of the product and contents of the package
Vyvgart is a ready-to-use solution, slightly yellow, transparent to slightly turbid, which is presented as a subcutaneous injectable solution.
Holder of the marketing authorization and responsible for manufacturing
argenx BV
Industriepark-Zwijnaarde 7
9052 Gent
Belgium
You can request more information about this medication by contacting the local representative of the holder of the marketing authorization:
België/Belgique/Belgien/Eesti argenx BV Tel/Tel:+32 (0)93969394/+32 (0) 800 54477 | Lietuva argenx BV Tel: 8 800 80 052 |
???????? argenx BV Te?.: 0800 46 273 | Luxembourg/Luxemburg argenx BV Tel: 800 25 233 |
Ceská republika argenx BV Tel: 800 040 854 | Magyarország argenx BV Tel.: (80) 088 578 |
Danmark argenx BV Tlf.: 80 25 41 88 | Malta argenx BV Tel: 8006 5101 |
Deutschland argenxGermany GmbH Tel: 08001803963 | Nederland argenx BV Tel: 0800 0232882 |
Ελλ?δα Medison Pharma Greece Single Member Societe Anonyme Τηλ: +30 210 0100 188 medinfogr@argenx.com | Norge argenx BV Tlf: 800 62 225 |
España argenx Spain S.L. Tel: 900 876 188 | Österreich argenx BV Tel: 0800 017936 |
France argenxFrance SAS Tél:+33 (0)188898992 | Polska argenx BV Tel.: 800 005 155 |
Hrvatska argenx BV Tel: 0800 806 524 | Portugal argenx BV Tel: 800 180 844 |
Ireland/United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) argenx BV Tel: 1800 851 868 | România argenx BV Tel: 0800 360 912 |
Ísland argenx BV Sími: 800 4422 | Slovenija argenx BV Tel: 080 688955 |
Italia argenxItalia s.r.l Tel: 800729052 | Slovenská republika argenx BV Tel: 0800 002 646 |
Κ?προς argenxBV Τηλ: 80 077122 medinfocy@argenx.com | Suomi/Finland argenx BV Puh/Tel: 0800 412838 |
Latvija argenx BV Tel: 80 205 267 | Sverige argenx BV Tel: 020‑12 74 56 |
Last review date of this leaflet
Other sources of information
The detailed information about this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: https://www.ema.europa.eu/.There are also links to other websites about rare diseases and orphan medicines.
Important use instructions
Vyvgart 1,000 mg solution for injection
efgartigimod alfa
Subcutaneous route
Read and understand these use instructions before administering the Vyvgart injection.
If you or your caregiver are willing to administer Vyvgart, your healthcare professional will instruct you on how to inject it. Your healthcare professional should teach you or your caregiver how to properly prepare and administer the Vyvgart injection before using it for the first time. A suitable self-administration demonstration under the supervision of a healthcare professional is required. It is essential that you do not attempt to inject the medication until you have received training and you or your caregiver are confident that you know how to use Vyvgart. Ask your healthcare professional if you have any questions.
Important information you should know before administering a subcutaneous injection of Vyvgart.
Storage of Vyvgart
Contents of the package | |
1 vial containing Vyvgart | |
Leaflet and instructions for use of Vyvgart | |
Additional materials not included Store the additional materials at room temperature in a dry place | |
Alcohol wipes | |
10 ml syringe | |
Transfer needle, calibre 18, ≥ 38 mm in length | |
Microperfusion device, calibre 25, 30 cm tube, maximum filling volume of 0.4 ml | |
Sterile gas | |
Adhesive patch | |
Sharp object container |
Preparation of the material
Step 1 Remove the vial box from the refrigerator. | |
Step 2 Remove the vial from the box and check that:
If either of the above conditions is not met, do not administer the injection and inform the pharmacy. | |
Step 3 Wait at least 15 minutes for the vial to come to room temperature naturally. Check if the medicine in the vial is slightly yellow, transparent to slightly turbid, and does not contain visible particles.
| |
Step 4 Gather the following additional materials:
| |
Step 5 5a.Clean the work area. 5b.Wash your hands with soap and dry them well. | |
Preparation of the syringe | |
Step 6 Remove the removable plastic cap from the vial. The aluminum cap should remain in place. | |
Step 7 Clean the rubber stopper with a new alcohol wipe. Allow it to air dry naturally for at least 30 seconds.Do notsuck on the rubber stopper. | |
Step 8 Unfold the syringe and the transfer needle. Insert the transfer needle into the syringe and turn it clockwise until the needle is firmly attached to the syringe. Do nottouch the tip of the syringe or the lower part of the needle to avoid germs and the risk of infection. | |
Step 9 Pull the plunger slowly to introduce 7 ml of air into the syringe. | |
Step 10 10a.Hold the syringe by the cone where the needle is attached to the syringe. 10b.Hold the needle cap and pull it out carefully from the body. 10c.Place the needle cap downwards on a clean and flat surface.
| |
Step 11 Hold the vial in a vertical position on a flat surface and insert the transfer needle through the center of the rubber stopper that has been disinfected. Do notperforate the rubber stopper of the vial more than once to avoid leaks. | |
Step 12 Turn the vial while keeping the transfer needle inserted in it. | |
Step 13 13a.Ensure that the transfer needle of the vial points upwards with the tip of the needle above the solution of the medicine. 13b.Push the plunger gently to inject all the air from the syringe into the empty space above the solution of the medicine in the vial. 13c.Keep your finger pressed on the plunger of the syringe. Do notinject air into the solution of the medicine, as it may create air bubbles or foam. | |
Step 14 Fill the syringe as follows: 14a.Keep your finger pressed on the plunger and slide the tip of the transfer needle into the solution of the medicine in the neck of the vial (near the vial cap) so that the tip of the needle is completely covered in the solution. 14b.Withdraw the plunger slowly while keeping the tip of the transfer needle in the solution to avoid air bubbles and foam in the syringe. Fill the syringe with all the contents of the vial. | |
Step 15 Eliminate large air bubbles, if any. 15a.Keep the transfer needle in the vial and check if there are large air bubbles in the syringe. 15b.Eliminate large air bubbles by gently tapping the syringe with your fingers until the bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. 15c.Move the tip of the transfer needle over the solution of the medicine and push the plunger slowly upwards to expel the air bubbles from the syringe. 15d.To eliminate any remaining solution of the medicine from the vial, insert the tip of the transfer needle into the solution and pull the plunger slowly until all the contents of the vial are in the syringe. 15e.Repeat the above steps until all large air bubbles have been eliminated. If you cannot extract all the liquid from the vial, place it in a vertical position to reach the remaining amount. | |
Step 16 16a.Turn the vial in a vertical position and remove the syringe and transfer needle from the vial. 16b.With one hand, slide the transfer needle into the cap and lift it to cover the needle. 16c.Once the needle is covered, screw the cap onto the syringe to secure it completely. | |
Step 17 17a.Pull the transfer needle out and turn it counterclockwise to remove it from the syringe. 17b.Dispose of Tem perguntas sobre este medicamento ou sintomas? Obtenha orientação de um médico qualificado, de forma prática e segura. |