Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin in the thighs or stomach. It 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 this medicine.

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

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 a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems. Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, hard, or not intact, or areas with moles or scars.

Remove the prefilled syringe from the refrigerator before using. Allow 30 minutes for the medicine to warm up to room temperature outside of the carton. Do not warm it in any other way.

Check the liquid in the prefilled syringe. It should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not shake. Do not use the prefilled syringe if it has been damaged or broken.

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 forms (prefilled syringe):
    • For neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 120 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once every 2 weeks for the first three injections (loading dose). Then, 120 mg is given once every 4 weeks (maintenance dose).
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist 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Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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 it in its original container. Do not use it if it has been frozen, even if it has been thawed. Protect from light. You may also store this medicine at room temperature for up to 8 days.

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