Pegcetacoplan Injection

Pegcetacoplan injection is used to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH: a type of anemia in which too many red blood cells are broken down in the body, so there are not enough healthy cells to bring oxygen to all parts of the body). Pegcetacoplan is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by blocking the activity of the part of the immune system that may damage blood cells.

Pegcetacoplan injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) via a pump by a healthcare provider in a medical facility or you may be given the medication to use at home. It is usually given over 30 minutes (if using 2 infusion sites) or about 60 minutes (if using 1 infusion site) twice weekly.

Pegcetacoplan injection may cause serious or life-threatening reactions during and after the infusion of the medication. Stop your infusion and tell your doctor or get emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms during or after the infusion: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and wheezing, chest pain, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, feeling faint, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, facial swelling, hives, or itching. Your doctor may need to stop your treatment if you experience any of these side effects.

If you will be using pegcetacoplan injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you or your caregiver how to store, inject, dispose of the medication and supplies. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems using pegcetacoplan injection.

Remove the medication from the refrigerator 30 minutes before your are ready to inject the medication. Place it on a flat surface and allow it to reach room temperature. Do not try to warm the medication.

You can inject pegcetacoplan injection anywhere on the front of your thighs (upper leg), hips, or abdomen (stomach), and the back of the upper arm. Give each infusion at least 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) away from other infusion sites. To reduce the chances of soreness or redness, use a different site for each injection. Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, or where there are tattoos, scars or stretch marks.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before receiving pegcetacoplan injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pegcetacoplan injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in pegcetacoplan injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any other medical condition(s).

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment and use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for at least 40 days after your final dose. Pegcetacoplan may harm the fetus.

• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are receiving pegcetacoplan and for 40 days after the final dose.

• you should know that your condition may cause too many red blood cells to break down after you stop receiving pegcetacoplan injection. Your doctor will monitor you carefully and may order laboratory tests for at least 8 weeks after you finish your treatment. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: extreme tiredness; blood in urine; stomach pain; difficulty swallowing; or an inability to get or keep an erection.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it and continue your regular dosing schedule.

• Pegcetacoplan injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • diarrhea

  • stomach pain

  • back pain

  • headache

  • redness, pain, itching, or swelling at the injection site

• Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING or HOW section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment.

• Pegcetacoplan injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

• If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it in the refrigerator.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to pegcetacoplan injection.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving pegcetacoplan injection.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.