- Vaccinate patients for meningococcal infection (serogroups A, C, W, and Y [MenACWY] and serogroup B [MenB]) according to current ACIP recommendations for patients receiving a complement inhibitor at least 2 weeks prior to administering the first dose of VEOPOZ [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
- If urgent VEOPOZ therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up-to-date with vaccines for both MenACWY and MenB according to ACIP recommendations, administer meningococcal vaccine(s) as soon as possible and provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis. The efficacy, duration, and drug regimens for antibacterial drug prophylaxis have not been studied in patients receiving complement inhibitors, including VEOPOZ.
2.2 Recommended Dosage and Administration
The recommended dosage of VEOPOZ is as follows:
Day 1 (Loading Dose):
Administer a single 30 mg/kg dose by intravenous infusion after dilution [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Day 8 and Thereafter (Maintenance Dosage):
Inject 10 mg/kg as a subcutaneous injection once weekly starting on Day 8 [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
- The maintenance dosage may be increased to 12 mg/kg once weekly if there is inadequate clinical response after at least 3 weekly doses (i.e., starting from Week 4).
- The maximum maintenance dosage is 800 mg once weekly.
- Doses greater than 400 mg require 2 injections.
2.3 Intravenous Infusion Loading Dose: Preparation and Administration Instructions
VEOPOZ for intravenous use must be prepared and administered by a healthcare provider.
Preparation Instructions for Intravenous Infusion Loading Dose:
- Remove VEOPOZ vial(s) from refrigeration and allow the vial(s) to sit for at least 45 minutes at room temperature 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF to 77ºF) before use.
- Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. VEOPOZ should be a clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution that is free from visible particulates. Discard the vial(s) if the solution is cloudy, discolored or contains particulate matter.
- Gently swirl the vial(s) in an upright position. Do not shake the vial(s) as this may result in foaming.
- Use a 21G stainless steel needle with Luer-Lok to withdraw the calculated volume of VEOPOZ from the vial(s). Discard any unused VEOPOZ remaining in the vial(s).
- Dilute VEOPOZ in an intravenous infusion bag of 25 mL to 250 mL of either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection to a final concentration of 6.7 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL.
- Mix the diluted solution by gentle inversion. Do not shake.
Administration Instructions for Intravenous Infusion Loading Dose:
- Infuse through an intravenous line containing a sterile, in-line or add-on 0.2-micron to 5-micron filter.
- Infusion rate: infuse over a minimum of 1 hour; do not exceed maximum rate of 1000 mg/hour
- Do not co-administer other medications through the same intravenous line
- Observe the patient for 30 minutes following completion of the infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Storage of Diluted Intravenous Solution:
- Administer the diluted VEOPOZ solution immediately after preparation. If not used immediately, store at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for no more than 8 hours from the time of preparation to the end of the infusion or refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for no more than 24 hours from the time of preparation to the end of infusion.
- If stored in the refrigerator, allow the diluted solution to come to room temperature prior to administration.
- Discard the unused VEOPOZ diluted solution after 8 hours if stored at room temperature or after 24 hours if refrigerated.
- Do not freeze the diluted solution.
2.4 Subcutaneous Maintenance Dose: Preparation and Administration Instructions
VEOPOZ for subcutaneous use must be prepared and administered by a healthcare provider.
Preparation Instructions for Subcutaneous Maintenance Dose:
- Remove VEOPOZ vial(s) from refrigeration and allow the vial(s) to sit for at least 45 minutes at room temperature 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF to 77ºF) before use.
- Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. VEOPOZ should be a clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution that is free from visible particulates. Discard the vial(s) if the solution is cloudy, discolored or contains particulate matter.
- Gently swirl the vial(s) in an upright position. Do not shake the vial(s) as this may result in foaming.
- Use a withdrawal needle (21G needle with Luer-Lok) to withdraw the calculated dose volume of VEOPOZ from the appropriate number of vial(s). Discard any unused VEOPOZ remaining in the vial(s).
- For patients receiving a dose greater than 400 mg, preparation of 2 separate injections will be required for subcutaneous administration of the total dose volume.
- Change the needle on the syringe to an injection needle fulfilling the following criteria: 25G to 27G and ½ or 5/8-inch stainless steel needle with Luer-Lok.
Administration Instructions for Subcutaneous Maintenance Dose:
- Inject VEOPOZ into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites. Do not inject VEOPOZ into moles, scars, or areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, or not intact. When administering more than one injection, administer consecutively, each at different injection sites.
- Observe the patient for 30 minutes following completion of the first subcutaneous injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Storage of Subcutaneous Injection:
Administer the subcutaneous injection within 4 hours of preparation.
2.5 Recommendations Regarding Missed Maintenance Subcutaneous Dose(s)
If a subcutaneous maintenance dose of VEOPOZ is missed, administer as soon as possible within 3 days after the missed dose. Do not administer 2 doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose. If more than 3 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day. In each case, patients can then resume their regular once weekly dosing schedule.
The day of weekly administration can be changed, if necessary, as long as the time between the two doses is at least 4 days (96 hours).
