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Patient Profiles

Patient types that may be appropriate for ULTOMIRIS®

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Meet Craig

A 35-year-old, newly diagnosed with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG but already experiencing severe symptomsa

Age: 35 | Background: Delivery Driver | Length of Disease: 1 year | Location: California

Past medical history

  • Unremarkable

History of present illness

  • Craig was diagnosed with anti-AChR antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) after a hospitalization for respiratory failure 3 months ago.
  • Craig transitioned 4 weeks ago to outpatient care after being treated with IVIg inpatient for a gMG exacerbation.

Current medications

  • Prednisone 80 mg once daily
  • Azathioprine 150 mg once daily
  • IVIg 2 g/kg (rescue therapy) during hospitalization

Chief complaint

  • Craig has been experiencing severe, persistent limb muscle weakness and respiratory muscle weakness. Craig is unable to work due to his symptoms.

Meet Rex

A 52-year-old with persistent mild anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG symptomsa

Age: 52 | Background: Office Worker | Length of Disease: 2 years | Location: Rural Ohio

Past medical history

  • Rex has type 2 diabetes, obesity, and anxiety.

History of present illness

  • Rex has anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG, which has historically been treated with high-dose steroids for the past 2 years.
  • Rex has failed 2 attempts to taper off steroids and experienced breakthrough symptoms.

Current medications

  • Prednisone 80 mg once daily
  • Azathioprine 200 mg once daily
  • Pyridostigmine 60 mg three times daily

Chief complaint

  • Persistent mild gMG symptoms, including increased fatigue while completing daily tasks and shortness of breath upon exertion.

Meet Linda

A 32-year-old patient with persistent anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG symptoms despite treatmenta

Age: 32 | Background: Working mother with an active 2 year old | Length of Disease: 18 months | Location: New Jersey

Past medical history

  • Linda has no significant prior medical history, except for a diagnosis of anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG 18 months ago.

History of present illness

  • Linda was diagnosed with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG 18 months ago with persistent weakness in her extremities and is now experiencing breakthrough symptoms 12 months post-thymectomy.

Current medications

  • Prednisone 20 mg once daily
  • Pyridostigmine 60 mg four times daily

Previous medications

  • Prednisone 40 mg once daily

Chief complaint

  • Linda experiences intermittent slurring of speech, increased shortness of breath upon exertion, and lower limb paresis.

aPatient cases are fictitious and intended only for discussion about patient experiences. Patient cases are not intended for diagnosis or treatment purposes.


AChR, acetylcholine receptor; gMG, generalized myasthenia gravis; IVIg, intravenous immunoglobulin; MG-ADL, Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living; QMG, Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis.

ULTOMIRIS (ravulizumab‑cwvz) Efficacy

Find out the changes in MG-ADL and QMG total scores for patients in CHAMPION-MG.

View Efficacy Data

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INCLUDING BOXED WARNING

WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

Life-threatening meningococcal infections/sepsis have occurred in patients treated with ULTOMIRIS. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early.

  • Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients with complement deficiencies.
  • Immunize patients with meningococcal vaccines at least 2 weeks prior to administering the first dose of ULTOMIRIS, unless the risks of delaying ULTOMIRIS therapy outweigh the risk of developing a meningococcal infection. See Warnings and Precautions for additional guidance on the management of the risk of meningococcal infection.
  • Vaccination reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of meningococcal infections. Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected.

Because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections, ULTOMIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called ULTOMIRIS REMS.

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CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Patients with unresolved Neisseria meningitidis infection.
  • Patients who are not currently vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis, unless the risks of delaying ULTOMIRIS treatment outweigh the risks of developing a meningococcal infection.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Serious Meningococcal Infections

Life-threatening meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with ULTOMIRIS. The use of ULTOMIRIS increases a patient’s susceptibility to serious meningococcal infections (septicemia and/or meningitis). Meningococcal disease due to any serogroup may occur.

Vaccinate or revaccinate for meningococcal disease according to the most current ACIP recommendations for patients with complement deficiencies. Immunize patients without history of meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of ULTOMIRIS. Patients who initiate ULTOMIRIS treatment less than 2 weeks after receiving meningococcal vaccine(s) must receive appropriate prophylactic antibiotics until 2 weeks after vaccination.

In clinical studies, 2 adult patients with gMG were treated with ULTOMIRIS less than 2 weeks after meningococcal vaccination. All of these patients received antibiotics for prophylaxis of meningococcal infection until at least 2 weeks after meningococcal vaccination. The benefits and risks of antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of meningococcal infections in patients receiving ULTOMIRIS have not been established. Consider discontinuation of ULTOMIRIS in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious meningococcal infection.

ULTOMIRIS REMS
Due to the risk of meningococcal infections, ULTOMIRIS is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called ULTOMIRIS REMS.

Under the ULTOMIRIS REMS, prescribers must enroll in the program. Prescribers must counsel patients about the risk of meningococcal infection/sepsis, provide the patients with the REMS educational materials, and ensure patients are vaccinated with meningococcal vaccines.

Additional information on the REMS requirements is available at www.ultomirisrems.com or 1-888-765-4747.

Other Infections
Patients may have increased susceptibility to infections, especially with encapsulated bacteria, such as infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis but also Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and to a lesser extent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. If ULTOMIRIS is administered to patients with active systemic infections, monitor closely for worsening infection.

Thromboembolic Event Management
The effect of withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy during treatment with ULTOMIRIS has not been established. Treatment should not alter anticoagulant management.

Infusion-Related Reactions
Intravenous administration of ULTOMIRIS may result in systemic infusion-related reactions, including anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical trials, infusion-related reactions occurred in approximately 1% of patients treated with ULTOMIRIS. These events included lower back pain, drop in blood pressure, elevation in blood pressure, limb discomfort, drug hypersensitivity (allergic reaction), dysgeusia (bad taste), and drowsiness. These reactions did not require discontinuation of ULTOMIRIS. If signs of cardiovascular instability or respiratory compromise occur, interrupt ULTOMIRIS infusion and institute appropriate supportive measures.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
Most common adverse reactions in adult patients with gMG (incidence ≥10%) were diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infection. Serious adverse reactions were reported in 20 (23%) of patients treated with ULTOMIRIS and in 14 (16%) patients receiving placebo. The most frequent serious adverse reactions were infections reported in at least 8 (9%) patients treated with ULTOMIRIS and in 4 (4%) patients treated with placebo. Of these infections, one fatal case of COVID-19 pneumonia was identified in a patient treated with ULTOMIRIS and one case of infection led to discontinuation of ULTOMIRIS.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Plasma Exchange, Plasmapheresis, and Intravenous Immunoglobulins
Concomitant use of ULTOMIRIS with plasma exchange (PE), plasmapheresis (PP), or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment can reduce serum ravulizumab concentrations and requires a supplemental dose of ULTOMIRIS.

Neonatal Fc Receptor Blockers
Concomitant use of ULTOMIRIS with neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockers (e.g., efgartigimod) may lower systemic exposures and reduce effectiveness of ULTOMIRIS. Closely monitor for reduced effectiveness of ULTOMIRIS.

INDICATION
ULTOMIRIS is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive.

Please see full Prescribing Information for ULTOMIRIS, including Boxed WARNING regarding serious and life-threatening meningococcal infections/sepsis.

References:

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  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated February 17, 2022. Accessed April 27, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-combined-schedule.pdf
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  5. Transition from Menactra to MenQuadfi Meningococal Conjugate Vaccine; 2022. Accessed October 13, 2022. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/infectious_diseases/immunization/CVP-2020/2022-CVP-Communications/update-menactra-discontinuation-2-24-22.pdf
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