SOMAVERT® WITH PREFILLED DILUENT SYRINGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

SOMAVERT (SOM-ah-vert)
(pegvisomant)
for injection, for subcutaneous use

Read these Instructions for Use before you start using SOMAVERT and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. Your healthcare provider should show you or a caregiver how to inject SOMAVERT the right way before you inject it for the first time.

SOMAVERT is available in two types of packaging:

•

One Day Package (containing one single-dose vial of SOMAVERT powder, a prefilled syringe, and a safety needle)

•

30-Day Package (containing three intermediate cartons of 10 single-dose vials of SOMAVERT powder, 30 prefilled syringes, and 30 safety needles)

•

Before you mix the SOMAVERT powder and the liquid:

o

Store SOMAVERT in a refrigerator at 36 ºF to 46 ºF (2 ºC to 8 ºC).

o

The One Day Package and intermediate cartons in the 30-Day Package containing the SOMAVERT vials, may be stored at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C) for a single period of up to 30 days.

o

In the space provided on the carton, record the date when the carton was removed from the refrigerator and the discard date (30 days after removal from the refrigerator).

o

After the carton has been stored at room temperature, it should not be placed back into the refrigerator. If not used within 30 days at room temperature, the vials should be thrown away.

•

Throw away the SOMAVERT vials after the expiration date printed on the carton or the discard date, whichever is sooner.

•

The prefilled syringes may be stored at a temperature up to 86°F (30°C) until the expiration date printed on the carton. After that time, they should be thrown away.

•

Do not freeze SOMAVERT.

Important:

•

Do not share your SOMAVERT syringes or needles with other people. You may give other people a serious infection, or get an infection from them.

•

SOMAVERT comes in a vial as a white block of powder. You must mix SOMAVERT with a liquid (diluent) before you can use it. The liquid comes in a single-dose prefilled syringe labeled 'Sterile Water for Injection'. Do not use any other liquid to mix with SOMAVERT.

•

You must use the mixed SOMAVERT immediately after you mix it. If you have not used the mixed SOMAVERT immediately, throw it away.

Step 1. Things you need

•

A vial of SOMAVERT powder.

•

A prefilled syringe.

•

A safety needle.

You will also need:

•

A cotton ball.

•

An alcohol swab.

•

A sharps disposal container. See "Dispose" at the end of these instructions.

Step 2. Getting ready

Before you start:

•

Only mix SOMAVERT and the liquid when you are ready to inject your dose.

•

SOMAVERT One Day Package: If refrigerated, remove the package and allow it to come to room temperature in a safe place for at least 10 minutes before you need to use it.

•

SOMAVERT 30-Day Package: If refrigerated, remove a single vial from the intermediate carton and allow it to come to room temperature in a safe place for at least 10 minutes before you need to use it.

•

Do not heat the vial or syringe by using a heat source such as hot water or microwave. Let it warm up on its own.

•

Wash your hands with soap and water, and dry completely.

•

Peel open the packaging of the syringe and safety needle to make it easier to pick up each item as you prepare for your injection.

•

Do not use the syringe or vial if:

o

they are damaged or faulty

o

the expiration date has passed

o

it has been frozen, even if it has now thawed (syringe only)

Step 3. Choose injection area

•

Choose a different location within an area for each injection.

•

Avoid bony areas or areas that are bruised, red, sore or hard, or areas that have scars or skin conditions.

•

Clean the injection area with the alcohol swab as instructed by your healthcare provider.

•

Allow the injection area to dry.

Step 4. Remove vial cap

•

Remove the cap from the vial.

•

Throw the cap away. It is not needed again.
Caution: Do not let anything touch the vial stopper.

Step 5. Remove syringe cap

•

Snap off the syringe cap leaving the syringe collar in place. It may take more effort to snap off than you might expect.

•

Throw the syringe cap away. It is not needed again.

•

Keep the syringe upright to avoid leakage.
Caution: Do not let the end of the syringe touch anything when the syringe cap is off.

Step 6. Attach safety needle

•

Push down and twist the safety needle firmly onto the syringe as far as it will go.

Step 7. Remove needle cover

•

Fold the needle guard out of the way of the needle cover.

•

Carefully pull the needle cover straight off.

•

Throw the needle cover away. It is not needed again.
Caution: Do not let the needle touch anything.

Step 8. Insert needle

•

Push the needle through the center of vial stopper, as shown.

•

Support the syringe while the needle is in the vial stopper to prevent bending the needle.

Step 9. Add liquid

•

Tilt both the vial and syringe at an angle, as shown.

•

Push the plunger rod down slowly until all the liquid has emptied into the vial.

•

Caution: Do not squirt the liquid directly onto the powder. This creates foam. Foam makes the medicine unusable.

•

Do not withdraw the needle yet.

Step 10. Swirl vial

•

Support both the syringe and vial in 1 hand, as shown.

•

Gently and slowly swirl the liquid, sliding the vial in a circular motion on a flat surface.

•

Continue swirling the liquid until all the powder has fully dissolved.
Note: This may take up to 5 minutes.
Do not shake.

Step 11. Check medicine

•

Keeping the needle in the vial, look carefully at the medicine. It must be clear and free of particles.

•

Do not use if:

o

the medicine is cloudy or hazy

o

the medicine has any color at all

o

there are any particles or foam in the vial

•

If you have any doubts about your medication go to www.SOMAVERT.com or call 1-800-645-1280.

Step 12. Reposition needle

•

Turn the vial so that you can see the stopper gap, as shown.

•

Pull the needle down so that the needle tip is at the lowest point in the liquid. This will help you to draw off as much liquid as possible.

•

Check that the plunger rod has not moved. If the plunger rod has moved, then push it back all the way into the syringe. This ensures that all air is removed from the syringe before you draw off the dose.

Step 13. Draw off dose

•

Slowly pull back the plunger rod to withdraw as much medicine as possible from the vial.
Note: If you see air in the syringe, tap the barrel to float the bubbles to the top, and then gently push the bubbles out into the vial.

•

Pull the needle out of the vial.

Step 14. Insert needle

•

Gently pinch the skin at the site of injection.

•

Insert the needle to its full depth into the pinched skin.

Step 15. Inject medicine

•

Push the plunger rod down slowly until the barrel is empty.
Note: Make sure you keep the needle in at full depth.

•

Release the pinched skin and pull the needle straight out.

Step 16. Make needle safe

•

Fold the needle guard over the needle.
Gently apply pressure using a hard surface to lock the needle guard in place.

•

Note: You will hear a click when the needle guard has been locked.

Step 17. Dispose

•

Put your used syringes in a FDA cleared sharps disposal container right away after use.

•

Do not throw away (dispose of) syringes in your household trash.
Note: If you do not have a FDA cleared sharps disposal container, please refer to the safe syringe disposal information on the right hand side of this leaflet.

Step 18. After injection

•

If necessary, use a clean cotton ball and press lightly on the injection area.

•

Do not rub the area.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS