Pegvisomant

Generic name: Pegvisomant
Brand names: Somavert
Dosage form: subcutaneous powder for injection (10 mg; 15 mg; 20 mg; 25 mg; 30 mg)
Drug class: Growth hormone receptor blockers

Usage of Pegvisomant

Pegvisomant is a man-made protein that is similar to human growth hormone. Pegvisomant binds to the same receptor in the body as growth hormone, and blocks the effects of growth hormone.

Pegvisomant is used to treat acromegaly (a growth disorder caused by too much growth hormone).

Pegvisomant is usually given after other medications, surgery, or radiation have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Pegvisomant may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Pegvisomant side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Pegvisomant may cause serious side effects. Stop using pegvisomant and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • thickening of the skin or a hard lump where you injected the medicine;
  • easy bruising; or
  • liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

    • Common side effects of pegvisomant may include:

  • pain;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • nausea, diarrhea;
  • abnormal liver function tests; or
  • pain or irritation where the medicine was injected.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Pegvisomant

    You should not use pegvisomant if you are allergic to it.

    To make sure pegvisomant is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • diabetes (pegvisomant can lower your blood sugar);
  • liver disease;
  • a latex allergy; or
  • a tumor that secretes growth hormone.

    • This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

    It is not known whether pegvisomant passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

    Pegvisomant is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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    How to use Pegvisomant

    Usual Adult Dose for Acromegaly:

    Loading dose: 40 mg suBCutaneously once under medical supervisionInitial dose: 10 mg subcutaneously once a dayMaintenance dose: 10 to 30 mg subcutaneously once a day Maximum dose: 30 mg per dayComments:-Assess baseline liver tests of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum total bilirubin (TBIL), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) prior to therapy initiation.

    Warnings

    Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

    What other drugs will affect Pegvisomant

    Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • insulin or oral diabetes medication; or
  • narcotic medicine such as fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Duragesic, Lazanda, Onsolis), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), and many others.

    • This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with pegvisomant, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

    Disclaimer

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