PATIENT INFORMATION
SOMAVERT (SOM-ah-vert)
(pegvisomant)
for injection, for subcutaneous use |
What is SOMAVERT?
SOMAVERT is a prescription medicine used to treat people who have too much growth hormone (acromegaly). SOMAVERT is used to treat people who are not able to be treated or have not already been helped by surgery or radiation.
It is not known if SOMAVERT is safe and effective in children. |
Before you use SOMAVERT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: - •
- are allergic to pegvisomant or any of the ingredients in SOMAVERT. Do not take SOMAVERT if you are allergic to pegvisomant or any of the ingredients in SOMAVERT. See the end of this Patient Information leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in SOMAVERT.
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- have diabetes.
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- have or have had liver problems.
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- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if SOMAVERT will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using SOMAVERT.
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- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SOMAVERT passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide how you will feed your baby if you take SOMAVERT.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
SOMAVERT may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how SOMAVERT works. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take: - •
- insulin or other medicines used to treat diabetes.
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- narcotics (opioid medicines). Your healthcare provider may change your dose of SOMAVERT if you take opioids.
If you are not sure, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist whether you take these medicines. |
How should I use SOMAVERT? - •
- Read the Instructions for Use at the end of this Patient Information for information about the right way to use SOMAVERT.
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- Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels before you start and while you use SOMAVERT. Your healthcare provider may need to change your dose of SOMAVERT.
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- SOMAVERT is given 1 time each day as an injection under your skin (subcutaneous). Some people may need to give 2 injections for their dose each day. Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to give 2 injections for your dose.
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- Your first injection of SOMAVERT should be given by your healthcare provider.
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- Your healthcare provider will teach you or your caregiver how to use SOMAVERT.
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- If you use too much SOMAVERT, call your healthcare provider right away.
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- If you miss a dose of SOMAVERT, just take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. If you are not sure about your dosing, ask your healthcare provider.
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What are the possible side effects of SOMAVERT?
SOMAVERT may cause serious side effects, including: - •
- changes in your blood sugar level. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of diabetes medicine while you take SOMAVERT.
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- liver problems. Stop injecting SOMAVERT right away and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:
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- yellowing of your eyes (jaundice)
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- dark, amber-colored urine
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- feeling very tired (fatigue or exhaustion)
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- nausea and vomiting
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- pain in your stomach (abdomen)
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- generalized swelling
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- bruising easily
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- skin thickening at your injection site that could lead to lumps (lipohypertrophy)
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- allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
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- swelling of your face, tongue, lips, or throat
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- wheezing or trouble breathing
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- skin rash, redness, or swelling
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- severe itching
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- dizziness or fainting
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The most common side effects of SOMAVERT include: |
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- pain
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- infection
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- nausea
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- flu syndrome
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- injection site reaction
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- diarrhea
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- abnormal liver tests. If your liver test results are too high, you may have to have more frequent liver tests
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These are not all of the possible side effects of SOMAVERT. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. |
How should I store SOMAVERT? - •
- Before you mix the SOMAVERT powder and the liquid:
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- Store SOMAVERT in a refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
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- Do not freeze SOMAVERT.
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- After you mix the SOMAVERT powder and liquid:
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- Keep the mixed SOMAVERT at room temperature between 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C).
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- Keep SOMAVERT inside the vial or the syringe until you are ready to inject it.
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- You must use the mixed SOMAVERT within 6 hours after you mix it.
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- If you have not used the mixed SOMAVERT within 6 hours, throw the SOMAVERT away.
Keep SOMAVERT and all medicines out of the reach of children. |
General information about the safe and effective use of SOMAVERT.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use SOMAVERT for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give SOMAVERT to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
This Patient Information summarizes the most important information about SOMAVERT. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about SOMAVERT that is written for health professionals. |
What are the ingredients in SOMAVERT?
Active ingredient: pegvisomant, including polyethylene glycol
Inactive ingredients: glycine, mannitol, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous.  U.S. License No. 1216
LAB-0197-12.0
For more information, go to www.SOMAVERT.com or call 1-800-645-1280. |