IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INCLUDING BOXED WARNING
WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS
Life-threatening meningococcal infections/sepsis have occurred in patients treated with ULTOMIRIS. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early.
- Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients with complement deficiencies.
- Immunize patients with meningococcal vaccines at least 2 weeks prior to administering the first dose of ULTOMIRIS, unless the risks of delaying ULTOMIRIS therapy outweigh the risk of developing a meningococcal infection. See Warnings and Precautions for additional guidance on the management of the risk of meningococcal infection.
- Vaccination reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of meningococcal infections. Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected.
Because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections, ULTOMIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called ULTOMIRIS REMS.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Patients with unresolved Neisseria meningitidis infection.
- Patients who are not currently vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis, unless the risks of delaying ULTOMIRIS treatment outweigh the risks of developing a meningococcal infection.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Meningococcal Infections
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 or revaccinate for meningococcal disease according to the most current ACIP recommendations for patients with complement deficiencies. Immunize patients without history of meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of ULTOMIRIS. Patients who initiate ULTOMIRIS treatment less than 2 weeks after receiving meningococcal vaccine(s) must receive appropriate prophylactic antibiotics until 2 weeks after vaccination.
In clinical studies, 59 adult 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. In clinical studies with ULTOMIRIS, <1% of patients developed serious meningococcal infections/sepsis while receiving treatment with ULTOMIRIS. All were adult patients with PNH who had been vaccinated. These patients recovered while continuing treatment with ULTOMIRIS. Consider discontinuation of ULTOMIRIS in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious meningococcal infection.
ULTOMIRIS REMS
Due to the risk of meningococcal infections, ULTOMIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called ULTOMIRIS REMS.
Additional information on the REMS requirements is available at www.ultomirisrems.com or 1-888-765-4747.
Other Infections
Patients may have increased susceptibility to infections, especially with encapsulated bacteria, such as infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis but also Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and to a lesser extent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Children treated with ULTOMIRIS may be at increased risk of developing serious infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Administer vaccinations for the prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections according to ACIP guidelines. If ULTOMIRIS is administered to patients with active systemic infections, monitor closely for worsening infection.
Monitoring Disease Manifestations after ULTOMIRIS Discontinuation
After discontinuing treatment with ULTOMIRIS, closely monitor for signs and symptoms of hemolysis, identified by elevated LDH along with sudden decrease in PNH clone size or hemoglobin, or re-appearance of symptoms such as fatigue, hemoglobinuria, abdominal pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea), major adverse vascular event (including thrombosis), dysphagia, or erectile dysfunction. Monitor any patient who discontinues ULTOMIRIS for at least 16 weeks to detect hemolysis and other reactions. If signs and symptoms of hemolysis occur after discontinuation, including elevated LDH, consider restarting treatment with ULTOMIRIS.
Thromboembolic Event Management
The effect of withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy during treatment with ULTOMIRIS has not been established. Treatment should not alter anticoagulant management.
Infusion-Related Reactions
Intravenous or subcutaneous administration of ULTOMIRIS may result in systemic infusion-related reactions, including anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical trials, infusion-related reactions occurred in approximately 1% of patients treated with ULTOMIRIS. These events included lower back pain, drop in blood pressure, elevation in blood pressure, limb discomfort, drug hypersensitivity (allergic reaction), dysgeusia (bad taste), and drowsiness. These reactions did not require discontinuation of ULTOMIRIS. If signs of cardiovascular instability or respiratory compromise occur, interrupt ULTOMIRIS infusion and institute appropriate supportive measures.
Injection Site Reactions-Subcutaneous administration
27% (23/84) of patients treated with subcutaneous administration of ULTOMIRIS experienced injection site reactions which included application site rash, device allergy, infusion site pain, infusion site reaction, injection site bruising, injection site erythema, injection site hematoma, injection site induration, injection site inflammation, injection site pain, injection site pruritus, injection site rash, injection site reaction, injection site swelling, injection site urticaria, medical device site bruise, medical device site erythema, medical device site hematoma, medical device site induration, medical device site pruritus, medical device site rash, and medical device site reaction.
Allergies to Acrylic Adhesives
The on-body injector of ULTOMIRIS uses acrylic adhesive. For patients with a known allergy to acrylic adhesive, use of this product may result in an allergic reaction. Premedication can be considered, and supportive measures should be instituted if signs of allergy appear.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Adverse reactions reported in 5% or more of patients treated with ULTOMIRIS vs. Eculizumab was Upper respiratory tract infection (39% vs. 39%), Headache (32% vs. 26%), Diarrhea (9% vs. 5%), Nausea (9% vs. 9%), Pyrexia (7% vs. 8%), Pain in extremity (6% vs. 5%), Abdominal pain (6% vs. 7%), Dizziness (5% vs. 6%), Arthralgia (5% vs. 5%). Serious adverse reactions were reported in 15 (6.8%) patients receiving ULTOMIRIS. The serious adverse reactions in patients treated with ULTOMIRIS included hyperthermia and pyrexia. No serious adverse reaction was reported in more than 1 patient treated with ULTOMIRIS. One fatal case of sepsis was identified in a patient treated with ULTOMIRIS. In clinical studies, clinically relevant adverse reactions in 1% of adult patients include infusion-related reactions.
Adverse reactions reported in 10% or more of pediatric patients treated with ULTOMIRIS who were treatment-naïve vs. Eculizumab-experienced was Anemia (20% vs. 25%), Abdominal pain (0% vs. 38%), Constipation (0% vs. 25%), Pyrexia (20% vs. 13%), Upper respiratory tract infection (20% vs. 75%), Pain in extremity (0% vs. 25%), Headache (20% vs. 25%).
Adverse Reactions for Subcutaneous Administration of ULTOMIRISMost common adverse reactions (≥10%) with ULTOMIRIS subcutaneous administration via On Body Injector in adult patients with PNH were local injection site reactions, diarrhea, and headache.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Plasma Exchange, Plasmapheresis, and Intravenous Immunoglobulins
Concomitant use of ULTOMIRIS with plasma exchange (PE), plasmapheresis (PP), or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment can reduce serum ravulizumab concentrations and requires a supplemental dose of ULTOMIRIS.
Neonatal Fc Receptor Blockers
Concomitant use of ULTOMIRIS with neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockers (e.g., efgartigimod) may lower systemic exposures and reduce effectiveness of ULTOMIRIS. Closely monitor for reduced effectiveness of ULTOMIRIS.
INDICATION
ULTOMIRIS is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients one month of age and older with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
Subcutaneous Use in Adult Patients with PNH
Subcutaneous administration of ULTOMIRIS is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information for ULTOMIRIS, including Boxed WARNING regarding serious and life-threatening meningococcal infections/sepsis.
07/2022 US/ULT-P/0085