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Somavert, |Somavert Somavert

Somavert

Generic Name: pegvisomant (peg VIH so mant)
Brand Names: Somavert

What is pegvisomant?

Pegvisomant is a manufactured protein similar to human growth hormone (GH). Pegvisomant binds to the same receptor in the body as growth hormone, and blocks the effects of growth hormone.

Pegvisomant is used for the treatment of acromegaly (a growth disorder caused by too much growth hormone).

Pegvisomant may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about pegvisomant?

Your doctor will want you to have blood tests and/or other medical evaluations during treatment with pegvisomant to monitor progress and side effects. It is especially important to monitor liver function and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) with regularly scheduled blood tests.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking pegvisomant?

Before taking pegvisomant, tell your doctor if you

• have an allergy to pegvisomant, another growth hormone product, or latex (the stopper on the vial of Somavert contains latex);

• have a tumor that secretes growth hormone;

• have diabetes;

• have liver problems; or

• are taking a narcotic pain or cough medication such as codeine (Tylenol #3, others), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, others), oxycodone (Percocet, others), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, OxyContin, others), fentanyl (Duragesic, others), and others.

You may not be able to take pegvisomant or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

How should I take pegvisomant?

Take pegvisomant exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Pegvisomant is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding how to administer the injection.

The pegvisomant powder must be mixed with the supplied sterile water for injection before each dose. Instructions regarding mixing the solution are included with the product. Follow them closely.

In general, 1 mL of the Sterile Water for Injection should be injected into the vial of pegvisomant, aiming the stream of liquid against the glass wall of the vial. Then, gently roll the vial between the palms of both hands to dissolve the powder. Do not shake the vial. Shaking the vial could damage the proteins in the medication and decrease its effectiveness.

After mixing, the solution should be clear and should not contain any particles. If the solution is cloudy or contains particles, do not inject it.

After mixing the solution, the medication should be administered as soon as possible or within 6 hours.

Administer only one dose from each vial. Throw away any remaining medication after administering one dose.

It is important to use pegvisomant regularly to get the most benefit.

Your doctor will want you to have blood tests and/or other medical evaluations during treatment with pegvisomant to monitor progress and side effects. It is especially important to monitor liver function and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) with regularly scheduled blood tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of pegvisomant, skip the missed dose and use only the next regularly scheduled dose the next day. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if an overdose of pegvisomant is suspected.

Symptoms of a pegvisomant overdose may include fatigue.

What should I avoid while taking pegvisomant?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with pegvisomant unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider.

Pegvisomant side effects

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or

• liver problems (may be detected by blood tests or symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, itching, clay-colored stools, or dark urine).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take pegvisomant and talk to your doctor if you experience

• discomfort at the injection site;

• "flu-like" symptoms

• nausea or diarrhea;

• dizziness; or

• water retention or slight weight gain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect pegvisomant?

Before taking pegvisomant, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• insulin;

• any medicine taken by mouth to treat diabetes such as glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase), glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), rosiglitazone (Avandia), pioglitazone (Actos), and others; or

• a narcotic pain or cough medication such as codeine (Tylenol #3, others), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, others), oxycodone (Percocet, others), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, OxyContin, others), fentanyl (Duragesic, others), and others.

You may not be able to take pegvisomant, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pegvisomant. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about pegvisomant that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Pegvisomant is available with a prescription under the brand name Somavert as an injectable formulation. Other brand or generic products may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.