Active ingredient
- evolocumab
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet are: PLGB 13832/0043, PLGB 13832/0044.
Repatha SureClick
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Repatha 140 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe
evolocumab
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Repatha is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Repatha
3. How to use Repatha
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Repatha
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Repatha is and what it is used for
What Repatha is and how it works
Repatha is a medicine that lowers levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, a type of fat, in the blood.
Repatha contains the active substance evolocumab, a monoclonal antibody (a type of specialised protein designed to attach to a target substance in the body). Evolocumab is designed to attach to a substance called PCSK9 that affects the liver’s ability to take in cholesterol. By attaching to, and mopping up PCSK9, the medicine increases the amount of cholesterol entering the liver and so lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood.
What Repatha is used for
Repatha is used in addition to your cholesterol lowering diet if you are:
Repatha is used in patients who cannot control their cholesterol levels with a cholesterol lowering diet alone. You should stay on your cholesterol lowering diet while taking this medicine. Repatha can help prevent heart attack, stroke, and certain heart procedures to restore blood flow to the heart due to a build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries (also known as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease).
2. What you need to know before you use Repatha
Do not use Repatha if you are allergic to evolocumab or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Repatha if you have liver disease.
The needle cover of the glass pre-filled syringe is made from dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause severe allergic reactions.
In order to improve the traceability of this medicine, your doctor or pharmacist should record the name and the lot number of the product you have been given in your patient file. You may also wish to make a note of these details in case you are asked for this information in the future.
Children and adolescents
The use of Repatha has been studied in children 10 years of age and older being treated for heterozygous or homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
The use of Repatha has not been studied in children under 10 years of age.
Other medicines and Repatha
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Repatha has not been tested in pregnant women. It is not known if Repatha will harm your unborn baby.
It is not known whether Repatha is found in breast milk.
It is important to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to do so. Your doctor will then help you decide whether to stop breast-feeding, or whether to stop taking Repatha, considering the benefit of breast-feeding to the baby and the benefit of Repatha to the mother.
Driving and using machines
Repatha has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Repatha contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to use Repatha
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
The recommended dose depends on the underlying condition:
Repatha is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous).
If your doctor prescribes a dose of 420 mg you must use three pre-filled syringes because each pre-filled syringe only contains 140 mg of medicine. After reaching room temperature, all injections should be given within a 30 minute period.
If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver can give the injections of Repatha, you or your caregiver should receive training on how to prepare and inject Repatha correctly. Do not try to inject Repatha until you have been shown how to do it by your doctor or nurse.
See the detailed “Instructions for Use” at the end of this leaflet for instructions about how to store, prepare, and give your Repatha injections at home.
Before starting Repatha, you should be on a diet to lower your cholesterol. You should keep on this cholesterol lowering diet while taking Repatha.
If your doctor has prescribed Repatha along with another cholesterol lowering medicine, follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take these medicines together. In this case, please read the dosage instructions in the package leaflet of that particular medicine as well.
If you use more Repatha than you should
Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
If you forget to take Repatha
Take Repatha as soon as you can after the missed dose. Then, contact your doctor who will tell you when you should schedule your next dose, and follow the new schedule exactly as your doctor has told you.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
5. How to store Repatha
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze.
Store in the original carton in order to protect from light.
Your pre-filled syringe may be left outside the refrigerator to reach room temperature (up to 25°C) before injection. This will make the injection more comfortable. After removal from the refrigerator, Repatha may be stored at room temperature (up to 25°C) in the original carton and must be used within 1 month.
Do not use this medicine if you notice it is discoloured or contains large lumps, flakes or coloured particles.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Repatha contains
What Repatha looks like and contents of the pack
Repatha is a solution which is clear to opalescent, colourless to yellowish, and practically free from particles.
Each pack contains one single use pre-filled syringe.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
Manufacturer
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
This leaflet was last revised in March 2022.
Instructions for use:
Repatha single use pre-filled syringe
Important
Before you use a single use Repatha pre-filled syringe, read this important information:
Step 1: Prepare
A Remove the Repatha pre-filled syringe carton from the refrigerator and wait 30 minutes.
Wait at least 30 minutes for the pre-filled syringe in the carton to naturally reach room temperature before injecting.
Check that the name Repatha appears on the carton label.
B Gather all materials needed for your injection.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
On a clean, well-lit, flat work surface, place:
C Choose your injection site.
You can use:
Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection. If you need to use the same injection site, just make sure it is not the same spot on that site you used last time.
D Clean your injection site.
Clean your injection site with an alcohol wipe. Let your skin dry before injecting.
E Remove the pre-filled syringe from the tray.
To remove:
Always hold the pre-filled syringe by the syringe barrel.
F Inspect medicine and syringe.
Always hold the pre-filled syringe by the syringe barrel.
Check that:
Step 2: Get ready
A Carefully pull the grey needle cap straight out and away from your body. Do not leave the grey needle cap off for more than 5 minutes. This can dry out the medicine.
1.
It is normal to see a drop of medicine at the end of the needle.
2.
Immediately place the cap in the sharps disposal container.
B Remove the air bubble / gap.
You may notice an air bubble/gap in the Repatha pre-filled syringe.
If you notice an air bubble/gap:
C PINCH your injection site to create a firm surface.
Pinch skin firmly between your thumb and fingers, creating an area about 2 inches (5 centimetres) wide.
It is important to keep the skin pinched while injecting.
Step 3: Inject
A Hold the PINCH. Insert the needle into the skin using a 45 to 90 degree angle.
B Using slow and constant pressure, PUSH the plunger rod all the way down until the syringe is empty.
C When done, RELEASE your thumb, and gently lift the syringe off skin.
Step 4: Finish
A Immediately place the used syringe in a sharps disposal container.
Talk with your healthcare provider about proper disposal. There may be local guidelines for disposal.
Keep the used syringe and sharps container out of the sight and reach of children.
B Examine the injection site.
If there is blood, press a cotton ball or gauze pad on your injection site. Apply a plaster if needed.
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