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Preparation and administration for WINREVAIR (sotatercept-csrk)

Administration is subject to monitoring of hemoglobin (Hgb) and platelet count.

WINREVAIR is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Patients and caregivers may administer WINREVAIR when considered appropriate and when they receive training and follow-up from the healthcare provider on how to reconstitute, prepare, measure, and inject WINREVAIR.

Confirm at subsequent visits that the patient and/or caregiver can correctly prepare and administer WINREVAIR, particularly if the dose changes or the patient requires a different kit.

Refer to the Instructions for Use (IFU) for detailed instructions on the proper preparation and administration of WINREVAIR.

Access Instructions for Use (1-vial kit, 2-vial kit) videos
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Selecting the appropriate product kit

If a patient’s body weight requires the use of two 45 mg vials or two 60 mg vials of lyophilized product, use a 2-vial kit instead of two individual 1-vial kits. A 2-vial kit includes instructions to combine the contents of two vials, which aids in measuring the proper dosage and eliminates the need for multiple injections.

1-vial kits

45 mg kit (containing 1 x 45 mg vial)

60 mg kit (containing 1 x 60 mg vial)

2-vial kits

90 mg kit (containing 2 x 45 mg vials)

120 mg kit (containing 2 x 60 mg vials)

Not actual size.

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Reconstitution instructions

  1. Remove the injection kit from the refrigerator and wait 15 minutes to allow the pre-filled syringe(s) and drug product to come to room temperature prior to preparation.
  1. Attach the vial adapter to the vial.
  1. Visually inspect the pre-filled syringe for any damage or leaks and the Sterile Water for Injection inside to ensure there are no visible particles.
  1. Snap off the cap of the pre-filled syringe and attach the syringe to the vial adapter.
  1. Inject all of the Sterile Water for Injection from the attached syringe into the vial containing the lyophilized powder. This will provide a final concentration of 50 mg/mL.
  1. Gently swirl the vial to reconstitute the drug product. DO NOT shake or vigorously agitate.
  1. Allow the vial to stand for up to 3 minutes to allow bubbles to disappear.
  1. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
  1. When properly mixed, WINREVAIR should be clear to opalescent and colorless to slightly brownish-yellow and does not have clumps or powder.
  1. If prescribed a 2-vial presentation, repeat the steps within this section to prepare the second vial.
  1. Use the reconstituted solution as soon as possible, but no later than 4 hours after reconstitution. Discard unused reconstituted solution.

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Syringe preparation

  1. Turn the syringe and vial upside-down and withdraw the appropriate volume for injection, based on the patient’s weight.
  • If the dose amount requires the use of two vials, withdraw the entire contents of the first vial and slowly transfer full contents into the second vial.
  • Turn the syringe and vial upside-down and withdraw the required amount of drug product.
  • If necessary, remove excess drug product.
  1. If necessary, remove excess air from the syringe.

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Administration instructions

WINREVAIR is for subcutaneous injection.

  1. Select the injection site on the abdomen (at least 2 inches away from navel), upper thigh, or upper arm, and swab with an alcohol wipe. Select a new site for each injection that is not scarred, tender, or bruised.
  • For administration by the patient or caregiver, use only the abdomen and upper thigh (see IFU).
  1. Perform subcutaneous injection.

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Report exposure during pregnancy or lactation to the Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC Adverse Event reporting line at 1-877-888-4231

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Mechanism of action

INDICATION

WINREVAIR is an activin signaling inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, World Health Organization [WHO] Group 1) to increase exercise capacity, improve WHO functional class (FC), and reduce the risk of clinical worsening events.

SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

Erythrocytosis: WINREVAIR may increase hemoglobin (Hgb). Severe erythrocytosis may increase the risk of thromboembolic events or hyperviscosity syndrome. Monitor Hgb before each dose for the first 5 doses, or longer if values are unstable, and periodically thereafter, to determine if dose adjustments are required.

 

Severe Thrombocytopenia: WINREVAIR may decrease platelet count. Severe thrombocytopenia may increase the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in patients also receiving prostacyclin infusion. Do not initiate treatment if platelet count is <50,000/mm3. Monitor platelets before each dose for the first 5 doses, or longer if values are unstable, and periodically thereafter to determine whether dose adjustments are required.

 

Serious Bleeding: In clinical studies, serious bleeding (eg, gastrointestinal, intracranial hemorrhage) was reported in 4% of patients taking WINREVAIR and 1% of patients taking placebo. Patients with serious bleeding were more likely to be on prostacyclin background therapy and/or antithrombotic agents, or have low platelet counts. Advise patients about signs and symptoms of blood loss. Do not administer WINREVAIR if the patient is experiencing serious bleeding.

 

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: WINREVAIR may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with WINREVAIR and for at least 4 months after the final dose. Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential before starting WINREVAIR treatment.

 

Impaired Fertility: Based on findings in animals, WINREVAIR may impair female and male fertility. Advise patients on the potential effects on fertility.

 

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions occurring in the phase 3 clinical trial (≥10% for WINREVAIR and at least 5% more than placebo) were headache (24.5% vs 17.5%), epistaxis (22.1% vs 1.9%), rash (20.2% vs 8.1%), telangiectasia (16.6% vs 4.4%), diarrhea (15.3% vs 10.0%), dizziness (14.7% vs 6.2%), and erythema (13.5% vs 3.1%).

 

Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with WINREVAIR, and for 4 months after the final dose.

 

Before prescribing WINREVAIR, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information and Instructions for Use (1-vial kit, 2-vial kit) also are available.

INDICATION
SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

WINREVAIR is an activin signaling inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, World Health Organization [WHO] Group 1) to increase exercise capacity, improve WHO functional class (FC), and reduce the risk of clinical worsening events.

SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

Erythrocytosis: WINREVAIR may increase hemoglobin (Hgb). Severe erythrocytosis may increase the risk of thromboembolic events or hyperviscosity syndrome. Monitor Hgb before each dose for the first 5 doses, or longer if values are unstable, and periodically thereafter, to determine if dose adjustments are required.

 

Severe Thrombocytopenia: WINREVAIR may decrease platelet count. Severe thrombocytopenia may increase the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in patients also receiving prostacyclin infusion. Do not initiate treatment if platelet count is <50,000/mm3. Monitor platelets before each dose for the first 5 doses, or longer if values are unstable, and periodically thereafter to determine whether dose adjustments are required.

 

Serious Bleeding: In clinical studies, serious bleeding (eg, gastrointestinal, intracranial hemorrhage) was reported in 4% of patients taking WINREVAIR and 1% of patients taking placebo. Patients with serious bleeding were more likely to be on prostacyclin background therapy and/or antithrombotic agents, or have low platelet counts. Advise patients about signs and symptoms of blood loss. Do not administer WINREVAIR if the patient is experiencing serious bleeding.

 

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: WINREVAIR may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with WINREVAIR and for at least 4 months after the final dose. Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential before starting WINREVAIR treatment.

 

Impaired Fertility: Based on findings in animals, WINREVAIR may impair female and male fertility. Advise patients on the potential effects on fertility.

 

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions occurring in the phase 3 clinical trial (≥10% for WINREVAIR and at least 5% more than placebo) were headache (24.5% vs 17.5%), epistaxis (22.1% vs 1.9%), rash (20.2% vs 8.1%), telangiectasia (16.6% vs 4.4%), diarrhea (15.3% vs 10.0%), dizziness (14.7% vs 6.2%), and erythema (13.5% vs 3.1%).

 

Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with WINREVAIR, and for 4 months after the final dose.

 

Before prescribing WINREVAIR, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information and Instructions for Use (1-vial kit, 2-vial kit) also are available.