Ultomiris 300 mg/3 ml concentrate for solution for infusion

Spain
Brand name Ultomiris 300 mg/3 ml concentrate for solution for infusion
Form solution for infusion, concentrate
Active substance / Dosage
RAVULIZUMAB · 300 mg
Prescription type Hospital Use Only
Registration number 1191371002
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 ml concentrate for solution for infusion solution for infusion, concentrate

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

Package leaflet: information for the user

Ultomiris 300 mg/3 ml concentrate for solution for infusion

ravulizumab

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine, because it contains important information for you.

  • Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
  • If you have any questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
  • This medicine has been prescribed for you only; do not pass it on to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you, because it may harm them.
  • If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse, even if they are adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the leaflet

  1. What Ultomiris is and what it is used for
  2. What you need to know before using Ultomiris
  3. How to use Ultomiris
  4. Possible side effects
  5. How to store Ultomiris
  6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Ultomiris is and what it is used for

What Ultomiris is

Ultomiris is a medicine that contains the active substance ravulizumab and belongs to a class of medicines called monoclonal antibodies, which bind to a specific target in the body. Ravulizumab has been designed to bind to complement protein C5, which is part of the body's defense system known as the “complement system”.

What Ultomiris is used for

Ultomiris is used to treat adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 10 kg with a disease called paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), including patients who have not been previously treated with a complement inhibitor and patients who have received eculizumab for at least the past 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 impairment, pain, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, erectile dysfunction, and blood clots. By binding to and blocking complement protein C5, this medicine can prevent complement proteins from attacking red blood cells and thereby control the symptoms of the disease.

Ultomiris is also used to treat adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 10 kg with a disease affecting the blood and kidneys called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), including patients not previously 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, potentially causing a reduction in blood cell counts (thrombocytopenia and anemia), reduced or lost kidney function, blood clots, fatigue, and functional impairment. Ultomiris can block the body's inflammatory response and its ability to attack and destroy vulnerable blood vessels, thereby controlling disease symptoms such as kidney damage.

Ultomiris is also used to treat adult patients with a type of muscle disease called generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). In patients with gMG, the immune system may attack and damage the body's own muscles, leading to significant muscle weakness, vision and mobility problems, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, risk of aspiration, and substantial impairment in daily activities. Ultomiris can block the body's inflammatory response and its ability to attack and destroy its own muscles, thereby improving muscle contraction, reducing disease symptoms, and lessening the impact on daily activities. Ultomiris is specifically indicated for patients who remain symptomatic despite treatment with other therapies.

Ultomiris is also used to treat adult patients with a central nervous system disease primarily affecting the optic nerves (of the eye) and spinal cord, called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In patients with NMOSD, the optic nerves and spinal cord are attacked and damaged by a malfunctioning immune system, which may lead to loss of vision in one or both eyes, weakness or loss of movement in the arms or legs, painful spasms, loss of sensation, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and significant difficulties in daily activities. Ultomiris can block the body's abnormal immune response and its ability to attack and destroy its own optic nerves and spinal cord, thereby reducing the risk of relapse or NMOSD attacks.

2. What you need to know before using Ultomiris

Do not use Ultomiris

  • If you are allergic to ravulizumab or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
  • If you have not been vaccinated against meningococcal infection.
  • If you currently have a meningococcal infection.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before starting Ultomiris.

Symptoms of meningococcal infections and other Neisseria infections

Because this medicine blocks the complement system, which is part of the body's defenses against infections, using Ultomiris increases the risk of meningococcal infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. These are serious infections affecting the lining of the brain, which can lead to brain inflammation (encephalitis), and may spread to the blood and throughout the body (sepsis).

Talk to your doctor before starting Ultomiris to ensure you are vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis at least 2 weeks before starting treatment. If you cannot be vaccinated 2 weeks in advance, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection until 2 weeks after vaccination. Make sure your meningococcal vaccination is up to date. You should also be aware that vaccination may not always prevent this type of infection. According to national recommendations, your doctor may consider additional preventive measures necessary.

Symptoms of meningococcal infection

Because it is important to identify and treat meningococcal infection quickly in patients receiving Ultomiris, you will be given a “patient card” that you must carry with you at all times. This card contains a list of the key signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection/sepsis/encephalitis.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:

  • Headache with nausea or vomiting
  • Headache and fever
  • Headache with neck or back stiffness
  • Fever
  • Fever and rash
  • Confusion
  • Muscle pain with flu-like symptoms
  • Sensitivity of the eyes to light

Treatment of meningococcal infection while traveling

If you plan to travel to an area where you cannot easily contact your doctor or where you may not have access to medical treatment for some time, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic against Neisseria meningitidis for you to carry with you. If you develop any of the symptoms listed above, you should take the prescribed course of antibiotics. Remember that you must still seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel better after taking the antibiotic.

Infections

Before using Ultomiris, inform your doctor if you have any infection.

Infusion-related reactions

When Ultomiris is administered, you may experience infusion-related reactions (drip-related), such as headache, lower back pain, and infusion-related discomfort. Some patients may experience allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction causing difficulty breathing or dizziness).

Children and adolescents

Patients under 18 years of age should be vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcal infections.

Elderly patients

No special precautions are required for treating patients aged 65 years or older, although clinical trial experience with Ultomiris in elderly patients with PNH, aHUS, or gMG is limited.

Other medicines and Ultomiris

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility

Women of childbearing potential

The effects of the medicine on the fetus are unknown. Therefore, effective contraception must be used during treatment and for 8 months after treatment ends in women of childbearing potential.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

Ultomiris is not recommended during pregnancy or in women of childbearing potential who do not use contraception.

Driving and using machines

The effect of this medicine on the ability to drive and use machines is negligible or none.

Ultomiris contains sodium

When diluted with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection, this medicine contains 0.18 g of sodium (main component of table/cooking salt) in 72 ml at the maximum dose. This corresponds to 9.1% of the maximum daily recommended sodium intake for an adult. This should be taken into account if you are on a low-sodium diet.

Ultomiris contains polysorbate

This medicine contains 1.5 mg of polysorbate 80 per vial, equivalent to 0.53 mg/kg. Polysorbates may cause allergic reactions. Inform your doctor if you have any known allergies.

3. How to use Ultomiris

At least 2 weeks before starting treatment with Ultomiris, your doctor will give you a vaccine against meningococcal infections if you have not been previously vaccinated or if your vaccination is not up to date. If you cannot be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before starting Ultomiris treatment, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection for up to 2 weeks after vaccination.

If your child is under 18 years of age, your doctor will administer a vaccine (if not already done) against Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcal infections according to current local vaccination recommendations for each age group.

Instructions for proper use

Your doctor will calculate your dose of Ultomiris 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 given a maintenance dose of Ultomiris, which will then be repeated every 8 weeks for patients weighing more than 20 kg and every 4 weeks for patients weighing less than 20 kg.

If you were previously receiving another medication for PNH, aHUS, gMG, or NMOSD called eculizumab, the loading dose should be administered 2 weeks after the last infusion of eculizumab.

Table 1. Ultomiris dosing regimen based on body weight

Body weight range (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 than 60

2400

3000

60 to less than 100

2700

3300

over 100

3000

3600

a For patients with PNH and aHUS only.

Ultomiris is administered by intravenous infusion (drip). The infusion will last approximately 45 minutes.

If you receive more Ultomiris than you should

If you suspect that you have accidentally been given a dose of Ultomiris larger than prescribed, contact your doctor for advice.

If you miss an appointment to receive Ultomiris

If you miss an 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 PNH

If you interrupt or stop treatment with Ultomiris, symptoms of PNH may reappear with increased severity. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and explain the risks. In addition, you will be closely monitored for at least 16 weeks.

  • Risks of interrupting treatment with Ultomiris include an increase in red blood cell destruction, which may cause the following:
  • An increase in your lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, a laboratory marker of red blood cell destruction,
  • A significant decrease in red blood cell count (anemia),
  • Dark-colored urine,
  • Fatigue,
  • Abdominal pain,
  • Shortness of breath,
  • Difficulty swallowing,
  • Erectile dysfunction (impotence),
  • Confusion or change in level of alertness,
  • Chest pain or angina,
  • An increase in serum creatinine levels (kidney problems), or
  • Thrombosis (blood clots).

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.

If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris for aHUS

If you interrupt or stop treatment with Ultomiris, symptoms of aHUS may reappear. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and explain the risks. In addition, you will be closely monitored.

Risks of interrupting treatment with Ultomiris include increased damage to small blood vessels, which may cause the following:

  • A significant decrease in platelet count (thrombocytopenia),
  • A marked increase in red blood cell destruction,
  • An increase in your lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, a laboratory marker of red blood cell destruction,
  • Reduced urination (kidney problems),
  • An increase in serum creatinine levels (kidney problems),
  • Confusion or change in level of alertness,
  • Changes in vision,
  • Chest pain or angina,
  • Shortness of breath,
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, or
  • Thrombosis (blood clots).

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.

If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris for gMG

If you interrupt or stop treatment with Ultomiris, symptoms of gMG may reappear. Consult your doctor before interrupting treatment with Ultomiris. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and risks. In addition, you will be closely monitored.

If you interrupt treatment with Ultomiris for NMOSD

If you interrupt or stop treatment with Ultomiris, symptoms of NMOSD may reappear. Consult your doctor before interrupting treatment with Ultomiris. Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects and risks. In addition, you will be closely monitored.

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Your doctor will discuss the possible adverse effects with you and explain the risks and benefits of Ultomiris before starting treatment.

Serious adverse effects

The most serious adverse effect is meningococcal infection, including meningococcal sepsis and meningococcal encephalitis.

If you experience any of the symptoms of meningococcal infection (see section 2 Symptoms of meningococcal infection), inform your doctor immediately.

Other adverse effects

If you are unsure about the adverse effects listed below, please ask your doctor to explain them.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain
  • Fever, tiredness (fatigue)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Common cold (nasopharyngitis)
  • Back pain, joint pain (arthralgia)
  • Urinary tract infection

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

  • Vomiting, stomach discomfort after meals (dyspepsia)
  • Hives, rash, itching of the skin (pruritus)
  • Muscle pain (myalgia) and muscle spasms
  • Influenza-like illness, chills, weakness (asthenia)
  • Infusion-related reaction
  • Allergic reaction (hypersensitivity)

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • Meningococcal infection
  • Severe allergic reaction causing difficulty breathing or dizziness (anaphylactic reaction)
  • Disseminated gonococcal infection

Reporting of adverse effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if they are possible adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the national reporting system included in Appendix V.

By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Ultomiris

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton after EXP.

The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated.

Store in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C).

Do not freeze.

Keep in the original packaging to protect from light.

After dilution with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9 %) solution for injection, the medicine should be used immediately, or within 24 hours if stored in a refrigerator, or within 4 hours if stored at room temperature.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines and packaging you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of Ultomiris

  • The active substance is ravulizumab. Each vial of solution contains 300 mg of ravulizumab.
  • The other components are: disodium phosphate heptahydrate (E 339), sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (E 339), polysorbate 80 (E 433), arginine, sucrose, and water for injections.

This medicinal product contains sodium and polysorbate 80 (see section 2 “Ultomiris contains sodium” and “Ultomiris contains polysorbate”).

Nature and contents of the container

Ultomiris is presented as a concentrate for solution for infusion (3 ml in a vial; pack size of 1).

Ultomiris is a transparent to translucent, yellowish solution, practically free from particles.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Alexion Europe SAS
103-105, rue Anatole France
92300 Levallois-Perret
France

Manufacturer

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
United Kingdom

Further information on this medicinal product is available from the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:

Belgium/Belgium/Belgium

Alexion Pharma Belgium

Tel/Tel: +32 0 800 200 31

Lithuania

UAB AstraZeneca Lietuva

Tel: +370 5 2660550

Text in Cyrillic characters on a white background stating Bulgaria, AstraZeneca Bulgaria EOOD, and a telephone number with country code +359

Luxembourg/Luxembourg

Alexion Pharma Belgium

Tél/Tel: +32 0 800 200 31

Czech Republic

AstraZeneca Czech Republic s.r.o.

Tel: +420 222 807 111

Hungary

AstraZeneca Kft.

Tel.: +36 1 883 6500

Denmark

Alexion Pharma Nordics AB

Tlf.: +46 (0) 8 557 727 50

Malta

Alexion Europe SAS

Tel: +353 1 800 882 840

Germany

Alexion Pharma Germany GmbH

Tel: +49 (0) 89 45 70 91 300

Netherlands

Alexion Pharma Netherlands B.V.

Tel: +32 (0) 2 548 36 67

Estonia

AstraZeneca

Tel: +372 6549 600

Norway

Alexion Pharma Nordics AB

Tlf: +46 (0) 8 557 727 50

Greece

AstraZeneca A.E.

Tel: +30 210 6871500

Austria

Alexion Pharma Austria GmbH

Tel: +41 44 457 40 00

Spain

Alexion Pharma Spain, S.L.U.

Tel: +34 93 272 30 05

Poland

AstraZeneca Pharma Poland Sp. z o.o.

Tel.: +48 22 245 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

Croatia

AstraZeneca d.o.o.

Tel: +385 1 4628 000

Romania

AstraZeneca Pharma SRL

Tel: +40 21 317 60 41

Ireland

Alexion Europe SAS

Tel: 1 800 882 840

Slovenia

AstraZeneca UK Limited

Tel: +386 1 51 35 600

Iceland

Alexion Pharma Nordics AB

Sími: +46 (0) 8 557 727 50

Slovakia

AstraZeneca AB, o.z.

Tel: +421 2 5737 7777

Italy

Alexion Pharma Italy srl

Tel: +39 02 7767 9211

Finland

Alexion Pharma Nordics AB

Puh/Tel: +46 (0) 8 557 727 50

Cyprus

Alexion Europe SAS

Tel: +357 22490305

Sweden

Alexion Pharma Nordics AB

Tel: +46 (0) 8 557 727 50

Latvia

SIA AstraZeneca Latvija

Tel: +371 67377100

Date of latest review of this leaflet:

Other sources of information

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency: https://www.ema.europa.eu, and on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es/). There are also links to other websites on rare diseases and orphan medicinal products.


This information is intended for healthcare professionals only:

Instructions for use for healthcare professionals

Handling of Ultomiris 300 mg/3 ml concentrate for solution for infusion

  1. How is Ultomiris administered?

Each vial of Ultomiris contains 300 mg of active substance in 3 ml of product solution.

In order to improve the traceability of the biological medicine, the name and batch number of the administered medicine should be clearly recorded.

  1. Before administering the medicine

Dilution must be performed in accordance with good practice standards, especially regarding asepsis.

Ultomiris must be prepared by a qualified healthcare professional using an aseptic technique.

  • Visually inspect the Ultomiris solution to confirm the absence of particles or discoloration.
  • Withdraw the required amount of Ultomiris from the vial(s) using a sterile syringe.
  • Transfer the recommended dose to an infusion bag.
  • Dilute Ultomiris to achieve a final concentration of 50 mg/ml (initial concentration divided by 2) by adding the appropriate amount of sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution to the infusion according to the instructions in the following table.

Table 1. Reference table for administration of loading dose

Body Weight

Range

(kg)a

Loading Dose

(mg)

Ultomiris Volume

(ml)

Volume of Diluent NaClb (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)

a Body weight at the time of treatment.

b Ultomiris must be diluted only with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution.

c For PNH and aHUS indications only.

Table 2. Maintenance dose administration reference table

Body weight

range

(kg)a

Maintenance dose

(mg)

Ultomiris volume

(ml)

NaCl diluent volume (ml)b

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)

a Body weight at the time of treatment.

b Ultomiris must be diluted only with sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) injection solution.

c For aHUS and PNH indications only.

Table 3. Supplemental dose administration reference table

Body weight

range

(kg)a

Supplemental

dose

(mg)

Volume of Ultomiris

(ml)

Volume of

diluent NaClb

(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 (0.20)

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)

a Body weight at the time of treatment.

b Ultomiris must be diluted only with sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) injectable solution.

  • Gently agitate the infusion bag containing the diluted Ultomiris solution to ensure the medication and diluent are well mixed. Do not shake Ultomiris.
  • Allow the diluted solution to reach room temperature (18 °C – 25 °C) before administration by leaving it at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
  • The diluted solution must not be heated in a microwave or by any other heat source except room temperature.
  • Discard any unused portion of the medication remaining in the vial.
  • The prepared solution should be administered immediately after preparation. The infusion must be administered through a 0.2 µm filter. After administration of Ultomiris, flush the entire line with 0.9% sodium chloride injectable solution, USP.
  • If the medication is not used immediately after dilution, storage times must not exceed 24 hours at a temperature between 2 °C and 8 °C or 4 hours at room temperature, taking into account the intended infusion duration.
  1. Administration
  • Do not administer Ultomiris via direct intravenous injection or as a bolus injection.
  • Ultomiris must only be administered by intravenous infusion.
  • The diluted Ultomiris solution will be administered by intravenous infusion over approximately 45 minutes using a syringe pump or an infusion pump. It is not necessary to protect the diluted Ultomiris solution from light during administration to the patient.

The patient must remain under observation for one hour after the infusion. If an adverse reaction occurs during administration of Ultomiris, the infusion may be interrupted or the infusion rate reduced at the physician's discretion.

  1. Special storage and handling conditions

Store in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C). Do not freeze. Keep in the original packaging to protect from light.

Do not use this medicinal product after the expiry date stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated.

Disposal of unused medication and all materials that have come into contact with it must be carried out in accordance with local regulations.