Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through an IV catheter that is placed into one of your veins or as a shot under your skin, usually on the front of your thighs, stomach, or upper arms.

Arzerra® needs to be given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for at least an hour. You may also receive medicines to help prevent allergic reactions.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Kesimpta® may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital or clinic. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself or your child a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems.

To use the prefilled syringe or pen:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the syringe to warm up to room temperature.
  • Do not remove the needle cover on the prefilled syringe while allowing the medicine to reach to room temperature. Remove it before use.
  • Check the liquid in the syringe or pen. It should be clear to slightly cloudy and colorless to slightly brownish-yellow. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.
  • Do not shake. Do not use the prefilled syringe or pen if it has been damaged, broken, or if you dropped it with the cap removed.
  • Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, hard, or scaly, or areas with scars or stretch marks.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (prefilled syringe or pen):
    • For multiple sclerosis (MS):
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin at Weeks 0, 1, and 2. Followed by 20 mg once a month starting at Week 4.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep the medicine in its original carton to protect it from light. You may store this medicine at room temperature for up to 7 days. If stored at room temperature, you may return the unused medicine in the refrigerator and use it within 7 days. Throw away the medicine if not used within those 7 days.

Throw away used pens and syringes in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.