Each vial of ULTOMIRIS is intended for single-dose only.
ULTOMIRIS requires dilution to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL.
- The number of vials to be diluted is determined based on the individual patient's weight and the prescribed dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
- Prior to dilution, visually inspect the solution in the vials; the solution should be free of any particulate matter or precipitation. Do not use if there is evidence of particulate matter or precipitation.
- Withdraw the calculated volume of ULTOMIRIS from the appropriate number of vials and dilute in an infusion bag using 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL. Refer to the administration reference tables below. The product should be mixed gently. Do not shake. Protect from light. Do not freeze.
- Administer the prepared solution immediately following preparation. Refer to the administration reference tables below for minimum infusion duration. Infusion must be administered through a 0.22 micron filter.
- If the diluted ULTOMIRIS infusion solution is not used immediately, storage under refrigeration at 2°C – 8°C (36°F – 46°F) must not exceed 24 hours taking into account the expected infusion time. Once removed from refrigeration, administer the diluted ULTOMIRIS infusion solution within 6 hours.
Administration of ULTOMIRIS
Only administer as an intravenous infusion.
Dilute ULTOMIRIS to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL.
Administer ULTOMIRIS only through a 0.22 micron filter.
Table 2: Loading Dose Administration Reference Table| Body Weight Range (kg) | Loading Dose (mg) | ULTOMIRIS Volume (mL) | Volume of NaCl Diluent (mL) | Total Volume (mL) | Maximum Infusion Rate (mL/hr) |
|---|
| greater than or equal to 40 to less than 60 | 2,400 | 240 | 240 | 480 | 252 |
| greater than or equal to 60 to less than 100 | 2,700 | 270 | 270 | 540 | 317 |
| greater than or equal to 100 | 3,000 | 300 | 300 | 600 | 333 |
Table 3: Maintenance Dose Administration Reference Table| Body Weight Range (kg) | Maintenance Dose (mg) | ULTOMIRIS Volume (mL) | Volume of NaCl Diluent (mL) | Total Volume (mL) | Maximum Infusion Rate (mL/hr) |
|---|
| greater than or equal to 40 to less than 60 | 3,000 | 300 | 300 | 600 | 257 |
| greater than or equal to 60 to less than 100 | 3,300 | 330 | 330 | 660 | 330 |
| greater than or equal to 100 | 3,600 | 360 | 360 | 720 | 327 |
Prior to administration, allow the admixture to adjust to room temperature (18°-25°C, 64°-77°F). Do not heat the admixture in a microwave or with any heat source other than ambient air temperature.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
If an adverse reaction occurs during the administration of ULTOMIRIS, the infusion may be slowed or stopped at the discretion of the physician. Monitor the patient for at least one hour following completion of the infusion for signs or symptoms of an infusion reaction.
Risk and Prevention
Life-threatening meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with ULTOMIRIS. The use of ULTOMIRIS increases a patient's susceptibility to serious meningococcal infections (septicemia and/or meningitis). Meningococcal disease due to any serogroup may occur.
Vaccinate for meningococcal disease according to the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for patients with complement deficiencies. Revaccinate patients in accordance with ACIP recommendations considering the duration of ULTOMIRIS therapy.
Immunize patients without a history of meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of ULTOMIRIS. If urgent ULTOMIRIS therapy is indicated in an unvaccinated patient, administer meningococcal vaccine(s) as soon as possible and provide patients with 2 weeks of antibacterial drug prophylaxis.
In clinical studies, 59 patients with PNH were treated with ULTOMIRIS less than 2 weeks after meningococcal vaccination. All of these patients received antibiotics for prophylaxis of meningococcal infection until at least 2 weeks after meningococcal vaccination. The benefits and risks of antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of meningococcal infections in patients receiving ULTOMIRIS have not been established.
Vaccination reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of meningococcal infections. In clinical studies, 3 out of 261 PNH patients developed serious meningococcal infections/sepsis while receiving treatment with ULTOMIRIS; all 3 had been vaccinated. These 3 patients recovered while continuing treatment with ULTOMIRIS.
Closely monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection and evaluate patients immediately if infection is suspected. Inform patients of these signs and symptoms and steps to be taken to seek immediate medical care. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Consider discontinuation of ULTOMIRIS in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious meningococcal infection.
REMS
Due to the risk of meningococcal infections, ULTOMIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Under the ULTOMIRIS REMS, prescribers must enroll in the program.
Prescribers must counsel patients about the risk of meningococcal infection/sepsis, provide the patients with the REMS educational materials, and ensure patients are vaccinated with meningococcal vaccines.
Enrollment in the ULTOMIRIS REMS and additional information are available by telephone: 1-888-765-4747 or at www.ultomirisrems.com.
Risk Summary
There are no available data on ULTOMIRIS use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). Animal studies using a mouse analogue of the ravulizumab-cwvz molecule (murine anti-C5 antibody) showed increased rates of developmental abnormalities and an increased rate of dead and moribund offspring at doses 0.8-2.2 times the human dose (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-associated maternal and/or fetal/neonatal risk
PNH in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including worsening cytopenias, thrombotic events, infections, bleeding, miscarriages, and increased maternal mortality, and adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal death and premature delivery.
Data
Animal Data
Animal reproduction studies were conducted in mice using doses of a murine anti-C5 antibody that approximated 1-2.2 times (loading dose) and 0.8-1.8 times (maintenance dose) the recommended human ULTOMIRIS dose, based on a body weight comparison. When animal exposure to the antibody occurred in the time period from before mating until early gestation, no decrease in fertility or reproductive performance was observed. When maternal exposure to the antibody occurred during organogenesis, two cases of retinal dysplasia and one case of umbilical hernia were observed among 230 offspring born to mothers exposed to the higher antibody dose; however, the exposure did not increase fetal loss or neonatal death. When maternal exposure to the antibody occurred in the time period from implantation through weaning, a higher number of male offspring became moribund or died (1/25 controls, 2/25 low dose group, 5/25 high dose group). Surviving offspring had normal development and reproductive function. Human IgG are known to cross the human placental barrier, and thus ULTOMIRIS may potentially cause terminal complement inhibition in the fetal circulation.
Risk summary
There are no data on the presence of ravulizumab-cwvz in human milk, the effect on the breastfed child, or the effect on milk production. Since many medicinal products and immunoglobulins are secreted into human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a nursing child, breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment and for 8 months after the final dose.
Distribution
The mean (SD) volume of distribution at steady state was 5.34 (0.92) L.
Elimination
The mean (SD) terminal elimination half-life and clearance of ravulizumab-cwvz in patients with PNH are 49.7 (8.9) days and 0.08 (0.022) L/day respectively.
Specific Populations
No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of ravulizumab-cwvz were observed based on sex, age (18 to 83 years), race, hepatic impairment, or mild to moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2, estimated by MDRD). The effect of severe renal impairment (eGFR 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m2, estimated by MDRD) on ravulizumab-cwvz pharmacokinetics is unknown.
Body weight was a significant covariate on the pharmacokinetics of ravulizumab-cwvz.
Meningococcal Infection
Advise patients of the risk of meningococcal infection/sepsis. Inform patients that they are required to receive meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of ULTOMIRIS, if they have not previously been vaccinated. They are required to be revaccinated according to current medical guidelines for meningococcal vaccines use while on ULTOMIRIS therapy. Inform patients that vaccination may not prevent meningococcal infection. Inform patients about the signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection/sepsis, and strongly advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if these signs or symptoms occur. These signs and symptoms are as follows:
- headache with nausea or vomiting
- headache and a fever
- headache with a stiff neck or stiff back
- fever
- fever and a rash
- confusion
- muscle aches with flu-like symptoms
- eyes sensitive to light
Inform patients that they will be given an ULTOMIRIS Patient Safety Card that they should carry with them at all times. This card describes symptoms which, if experienced, should prompt the patient to immediately seek medical evaluation.
Other Infections
Counsel patients of the increased risk of infections, particularly those due to encapsulated bacteria, especially Neisseria species. Advise patients of the need for vaccination against meningococcal infections according to current medical guidelines. Counsel patients about gonorrhea prevention and advise regular testing for patients at risk. Advise patients to report any new signs and symptoms of infection.
Discontinuation
Inform patients with PNH that they may develop hemolysis due to PNH when ULTOMIRIS is discontinued and that they will be monitored by their healthcare professional for at least 16 weeks following ULTOMIRIS discontinuation.
Inform patients who discontinue ULTOMIRIS to keep the ULTOMIRIS Patient Safety Card with them for eight months after the last ULTOMIRIS dose, because the increased risk of meningococcal infection persists for several weeks following discontinuation of ULTOMIRIS.
Infusion reactions
Advise patients that administration of ULTOMIRIS may result in infusion reactions.
Manufactured by:
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
121 Seaport Boulevard
Boston, MA 02210 USA
US License Number 1743
This product, or its use, may be covered by one or more US patents, including US Patent No. 9,371,377; 9,079,949 and 9,663,574 in addition to others including patents pending.
ULTOMIRIS is a trademark of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
© 2018 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.