Lonapegsomatropin

FDA label, Ascendis Pharma Endocrinology, Inc., subcutaneous, effective 2026-07-23. Full label on DailyMed

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From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Specialty pharmacy: therapy management checklist, storage and cold chain, dosing calendar, Medicare Part D coverage.

Quoted from the FDA label. Product labels differ by manufacturer and change over time; confirm against the label for the product you are using.

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

Dosing in kidney impairment

Fluid Retention (i.e., edema, arthralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome): May occur. Reduce dose as necessary. Hypoadrenalism: Monitor patients for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or need for glucocorticoid dose increases in those with known hypoadrenalism. Hypothyroidism: May first become evident or worsen. Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in Pediatric Patients: May develop.

If papilledema is observed by fundoscopy, stop somatropin treatment. If somatropin-induced IH is confirmed, restart treatment with SKYTROFA at a lower dose after IH-associated signs and symptoms have resolved. 5.6 Fluid Retention Fluid retention during somatropin therapy may occur. Clinical manifestations of fluid retention (e.g., edema, arthralgia, myalgia, nerve compression syndromes, including carpal tunnel syndrome/paresthesia) are usually transient and dose dependent. 5.7 Hypoadrenalism Patients receiving somatropin therapy who have or are at risk for pituitary hormone deficiency(s) may be at risk for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or unmasking of central (secondary) hypoadrenalism.

In addition, patients treated with glucocorticoid replacement for previously diagnosed hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses following initiation of SKYTROFA therapy. Monitor patients for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or need for glucocorticoid dose increases in patients with known hypoadrenalism [see Drug Interactions ] . 5.8 Hypothyroidism Undiagnosed or untreated hypothyroidism may prevent optimal response to SKYTROFA.

Preparation and administration

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Basis

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Administration Instructions for Pediatric Patients SKYTROFA is available in 9 cartridges (dosage strengths in somatropin equivalents) for pediatric patients. Selection of the appropriate cartridge (mg) is based on the prescribed dose (mg/kg) and the patient's body weight (kg) [see Dosage Forms and Strengths ] . If prescribing a dose of 0.24 mg/kg/week and the patient's weight is 11.5 to 100 kg, follow the recommended dosing in Table 1.

If prescribing a dose other than 0.24 mg/kg/week, calculate the total weekly dose (in mg) and select the appropriate cartridge as follows: Total weekly dose (mg) = prescribed weekly dose (mg/kg) × patient's body weight (kg). Round the total weekly dose (mg) to the closest cartridge dose while also considering treatment goals and clinical response. [See table below.]

Administration Instructions for Adults SKYTROFA is available in 14 cartridges (dosage strengths in somatropin equivalents) for adults. Selection of the appropriate cartridge (mg) is based on the prescribed dose (mg/week) [see Dosage Forms and Strengths ] .

Preparation and Administration The SKYTROFA cartridge has been designed for use only with the SKYTROFA Auto-Injector. If refrigerated, the SKYTROFA cartridge must be kept at room temperature for 15 minutes before use. The SKYTROFA Auto-Injector provides a fully automated reconstitution of the lyophilized drug product which is followed by a manual mixing step controlled by the device.

When the injection needle is inserted into the skin, the device automatically delivers the drug product. The built-in electronics and software assist the user during the entire preparation and injection sequence and provide confirmation that the full dose has been delivered. The mixed solution should be clear and colorless to opalescent.

The solution may contain air bubbles and this is acceptable. DO NOT inject if the solution is cloudy or contains particulate matter. Use SKYTROFA cartridges within 4 hours after reconstitution. Discard reconstituted SKYTROFA cartridges after 4 hours when stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C). Inject SKYTROFA subcutaneously into the abdomen, buttock, or thigh.

Rotate injection sites between and within regions to reduce the risk of lipoatrophy [see Warnings and Precautions ] . Refer to the Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions with illustrations. The instructions can also be found on www.Skytrofa.com/IFU. Patients and/or caregivers who will administer SKYTROFA should receive appropriate training and instruction on the proper use of SKYTROFA from their healthcare provider.

Drug interactions

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  • Lonapegsomatropin
Label text (6 paragraphs)

Table 4 includes a list of drugs with clinically important drug interactions when administered concomitantly with SKYTROFA and instructions for preventing or managing them. Table 4: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with SKYTROFA Replacement Glucocorticoid Treatment Clinical Impact: Microsomal enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD-1) is required for conversion of cortisone to its active metabolite, cortisol, in hepatic and adipose tissue. Somatropin inhibits 11βHSD-1. Consequently, individuals with untreated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) have relative increases in 11βHSD-1 and serum cortisol.

Initiation of SKYTROFA may result in inhibition of 11βHSD-1 and reduced serum cortisol concentrations. Intervention: Patients treated with glucocorticoid replacement for hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses following initiation of SKYTROFA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Examples Cortisone acetate and prednisone may be affected more than others because conversion of these drugs to their biologically active metabolites is dependent on the activity of 11βHSD-1.

Pharmacologic Glucocorticoid Therapy and Supraphysiologic Glucocorticoid Treatment Clinical Impact: Pharmacologic glucocorticoid therapy and supraphysiologic glucocorticoid treatment may attenuate the growth-promoting effects of SKYTROFA in pediatric patients. Intervention: Carefully adjust glucocorticoid replacement dosing in pediatric patients receiving glucocorticoid treatments to avoid both hypoadrenalism and an inhibitory effect on growth. Cytochrome P450-Metabolized Drugs Clinical Impact: Limited published data indicate that somatropin treatment increases cytochrome P450 (CYP450)-mediated antipyrine clearance.

SKYTROFA may alter the clearance of compounds known to be metabolized by CYP450 liver enzymes. Intervention: Careful monitoring is advisable when SKYTROFA is administered in combination with drugs metabolized by CYP450 liver enzymes. Oral Estrogen Clinical Impact: Oral estrogens may reduce the serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) response to SKYTROFA. Intervention: Patients receiving oral estrogen replacement may require higher SKYTROFA dosages. Insulin and/or Other Antihyperglycemic Agents Clinical Impact: Treatment with SKYTROFA may decrease insulin sensitivity, particularly at higher doses.

Intervention: Patients with diabetes mellitus may require adjustment of their doses of insulin and/or other antihyperglycemic agents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Replacement Glucocorticoid Treatment: Patients treated with glucocorticoid for hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses following initiation of SKYTROFA ( 7 ). Pharmacologic Glucocorticoid Therapy and Supraphysiologic Glucocorticoid Treatment: Adjust glucocorticoid dosing in pediatric patients to avoid both hypoadrenalism and an inhibitory effect on growth ( 7 ). Cytochrome P450-Metabolized Drugs: SKYTROFA may alter the clearance. Monitor carefully if used with SKYTROFA ( 7 ).

Oral Estrogen: Larger doses of SKYTROFA may be required ( 7 ). Insulin and/or Other Antihyperglycemic Agents: Dose adjustment of insulin or antihyperglycemic agent may be required ( 7 ).

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS SKYTROFA is contraindicated in patients with: Acute critical illness after open heart surgery, abdominal surgery or multiple accidental trauma, or those with acute respiratory failure due to the risk of increased mortality with use of pharmacologic doses of somatropin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Hypersensitivity to somatropin or any of the excipients in SKYTROFA. Severe systemic hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema, have been reported [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Pediatric patients with closed epiphyses. Active malignancy due to the risk of malignancy progression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].

Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy because treatment with somatropin may worsen this condition. Pediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese, have a history of upper airway obstruction or sleep apnea or have severe respiratory impairment due to the risk of sudden death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ].

Acute critical illness ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to somatropin or any of the excipients in SKYTROFA ( 4 ) Children with closed epiphyses ( 4 ) Active malignancy ( 4 ) Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy ( 4 ) Children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have severe respiratory impairment due to risk of sudden death ( 4 )

Safety data

Reported adverse events (FAERS)

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Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System via openFDA

Liver injury (LiverTox)

LiverTox has no chapter for lonapegsomatropin. Check the label's hepatic warnings.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on lonapegsomatropin-tcgd use in pregnant patients to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Available published data over several decades for somatropin, the active component of lonapegsomatropin-tcgd, have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

In animal reproduction studies, there was no evidence of embryo-fetal or neonatal harm when pregnant rats were administered subcutaneous lonapegsomatropin-tcgd at doses up to 13-fold the clinical pediatric dose of 0.24 mg/kg/week and approximately 30-fold the maximum clinical therapeutic dose for adult GHD of 6.3 mg hGH/week (see Data ) . The estimated background risk of birth defects and miscarriages for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S.

general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriages in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data No embryonic or fetal development toxicities occurred in rats administered subcutaneous lonapegsomatropin-tcgd at doses up to 13-fold the clinical pediatric dose of 0.24 mg/kg/week and approximately 30-fold the maximum clinical therapeutic dose for adult GHD of 6.3 mg hGH/week.

In a peri- and post-natal developmental study in rats, there were no adverse effects on the pregnant/lactating female or on development of the conceptus and the offspring following exposure of the female from implantation through weaning to doses of a structurally related pegylated somatropin prodrug up to 13-fold the clinical pediatric dose of 0.24 mg/kg/week and approximately 30-fold the maximum clinical therapeutic dose for adult GHD of 6.3 mg hGH/week.

Breastfeeding (LactMed)

Lonapegsomatropin is a long-acting prodrug of somatropin, which has been used safely in nursing mothers. Polyethylene glycol is not excreted into breastmilk. No special precautions are required.

Alternatives LactMed suggests considering:
Source: LactMed: Lonapegsomatropin (NICHD, public domain)Revised Nov 15, 2023

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