Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Zilucoplan sodium may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
Zilbrysq contains the active substance zilucoplan. Zilucoplan attaches to and blocks a protein in the body known as the C5 complement protein, which is a part of the immune system (the body's natural defences). By blocking this protein, zilucoplan prevents the body's immune system from attacking and destroying connections between nerves and muscles, thereby improving symptoms of the disease and reduce their impact on daily activities. Zilbrysq is used together with standard therapy to treat adult patients with generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG), an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. It is used in adults whose immune system produces antibodies against a protein called the acetylcholine receptor, located on muscle cells. In patients with gMG, the muscles can be attacked and damaged by the immune system, which can lead to profound muscle weakness, impaired mobility, shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, difficulties swallowing and markedly impaired activities of daily living. 2.
e Zilbrysq
Do not use Zilbrysq if you are allergic to zilucoplan or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). if you have not been vaccinated against meningococcal infection. See warnings and precautions section. if you have a meningococcal infection. Warnings and precautions
Meningococcal and other Neisseria infections alert As Zilbrysq inhibits the body's natural defences against infection, its use may increase your risk of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis, such as meningococcal infection (severe infection of the linings of the brain and spinal cord and/or an infection of the blood) and also of other infections caused by Neisseria bacteria, such as gonorrhea. Consult your doctor before you take Zilbrysq to be sure that you receive vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis, an organism that causes meningococcal infection, at least 2 weeks before beginning therapy. If you cannot be vaccinated 2 weeks beforehand, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection until 2 weeks after you have received your first vaccine dose. Ensure that your meningococcal vaccinations are up to date. You should be aware that vaccination may not always prevent this type of infection. If you are at risk of gonorrhoea (sexually transmitted bacterial infection), ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine. Meningococcal infection symptoms Because of the importance of rapidly identifying and treating meningococcal infections in patients who receive Zilbrysq, you will be provided a card to carry with you at all times, listing specific signs and symptoms of possible meningococcal infection. It also contains information for healthcare professionals that may not be familiar with Zilbrysq. This card is named "patient alert card". You will also be provided a patient/carer guide which contains further information on Zilbrysq. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should immediately inform your doctor:
Driving and using machines Zilbrysq is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. Zilbrysq contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per pre-filled syringe, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'. 3.
How to use Zilbrysq
At least 2 weeks before you start treatment with Zilbrysq, your doctor will give you a vaccine against meningococcal infection if you have not previously received it or if your vaccination is outdated. If you cannot be vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you start treatment with Zilbrysq, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection until 2 weeks after you have received your first vaccine dose. Before you start treatment you should also discuss with your doctor if you need any other vaccines. After suitable training, your doctor will allow you to inject Zilbrysq yourself. Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. The dose you receive will depend on your bodyweight. Always administer your daily dose at approximately the same time of the day. The following table indicates the total daily dose of Zilbrysq according to your body weight: Body weight
Dose
Number of pre-filled syringes by colour
< 56 kg
16.6 mg
1 (Rubine red)
≥ 56 to < 77 kg
23 mg
1 (Orange)
≥ 77 kg
32.4 mg
1 (Dark blue)
You and your doctor or nurse will decide if you can inject this medicine yourself. Do not self-inject this medicine unless you have been trained by a healthcare professional. Another person may also give your injections after they have been trained. Zilbrysq will be given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin) once a day. It can be injected into the stomach area, the front of the thighs or the back of the upper arms. Injections in the back of the upper arms should only be given by another person. The injection location should be rotated and should not be given into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red or hard or where the skin has scars or stretch marks. It is important that you read the instructions for use at the end of the package leaflet for detailed information on how to use Zilbrysq. If you use more Zilbrysq than you should If you suspect that you have accidentally received a higher dose of Zilbrysq than prescribed, please contact your doctor for advice. If you forget to use Zilbrysq
If you didn't inject the dose at the usual time or missed a dose, please inject as soon as you realize it and then continue with the dosing at the normal time the next day. Do not administer more than one dose per day. If you stop using Zilbrysq Interrupting or stopping treatment with Zilbrysq may cause your symptoms to come back. Please speak to your doctor before stopping Zilbrysq. Your doctor will discuss the possible side effects and risks with you. Your doctor may also want to monitor you closely. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) Injection site reactions, such as bruising, pain, itching and forming of a lump. Nose and throat infections. Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) Diarrhoea Increased pancreas enzymes (amylase, lipase) seen in blood test. Morphoea (condition that causes localized discolored and hardened areas of the skin). Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Increased of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), seen in blood test. 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 via: Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
Zilbrysq
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 syringe label and outer 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. Keep the pre-filled syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light. You may store the Zilbrysq pre-filled syringe at room temperature in the original carton up to 30 °C for only one single period of up to 3 months. Once Zilbrysq has been removed from the refrigerator, it should not be placed back into the refrigerator. The product must be discarded if not used within 3 months or when the expiry date is reached, whichever occurs first. 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.
What Zilbrysq contains
Instructions for Use for Zilbrysq solution for injection in pre-filled syringe Read ALL the instructions below before you use Zilbrysq Before use Syringe body
Finger grip Plunger rod
Syringe label (expiry date and TRADENAME) Needle cap
Plunger head Needle guard activation clips After use
Needle guard (locked) After injection, the automatic needle guard is activated and retracts the needle. Important information:
Figure A
b) Place the following items on a clean flat, well-lit surface, like a table • • • • •
1 Zilbrysq pre-filled syringe 1 alcohol wipe (not supplied) 1 cotton ball or gauze pad (not supplied) 1 adhesive bandage (not supplied) 1 sharps disposal or puncture-resistant container (not supplied). See Step 4 for instructions on throwing away the empty syringe. c) Inspect the pre-filled syringe
•
• • • • •
Check the pre-filled syringe for damage (Figure "Before Use"). • Do not use if any part of the pre-filled syringe appears to be cracked, leaking, or broken. • Do not use if the needle cap is cracked or broken, missing or not securely attached to the pre-filled syringe. Do not remove the needle cap from the pre-filled syringe until you are ready to inject. Do not use if the liquid has ever been frozen (even if thawed). Check the expiry date on the syringe label. Check the medicine inside the pre-filled syringe. The medicine should be clear to slightly opalescent and colourless. It is normal to see air bubbles in the syringe. Do not use if the medicine is cloudy, discoloured, or contains floating particles. Check the dose on the label. Do not use if the dose does not correspond to your prescription.
2. Step 2: Choose your injection site and prepare your injection a) Choose your injection site Choose an injection site from the following areas (Figure B):
Abdomen and thighs
•
The back of the upper arms (only if someone else is giving you the injection)
Choose a different site for each injection. If you want to use the same injection site, make sure it is at least 2.5 cm/1-inch from a spot you used the last time. Do not inject Zilbrysq into an area that is tender, red, bruised, hard or that has scars or stretch marks. b) Wash your hands well with soap and water and dry with a clean towel. c) Prepare your skin • • •
Clean the injection site using an alcohol wipe. Let the skin dry for 10 seconds before injecting. Do not touch the injection site again before giving your injection.
3. Step 3: Inject Zilbrysq a) Remove the needle cap Hold the body of the Zilbrysq pre-filled syringe with one hand and pull the needle cap straight off with your other hand (Figure C). Throw away the needle cap into your household trash or a sharps container (see Step 4).
b) Pinch your injection site Use your other hand to pinch the area of cleaned skin and hold it firmly (Figure D). Figure D
c) Insert the needle Insert the entire needle into the pinched skin at a 45° to 90° angle. (Figure E).
d) Release the pinched skin When the needle is fully inserted, hold the pre-filled syringe in place and release the pinched skin (Figure F).
e) Inject the medicine Push the plunger all the way down while holding onto the finger grip to inject all the medicine (Figure G). All the medicine is injected when you cannot push the plunger head any further. Figure G
f) Release the plunger Slowly release the plunger by lifting your thumb. After a complete injection, the needle guard will cover the needle and you may hear a click (Figure H). Figure H
g) Examine the injection site Press a cotton ball or gauze pad over the injection site and hold it for 10 seconds. Do not rub the injection site. You may have slight bleeding, this is normal. Apply an adhesive bandage if needed. Step 4: Throw away the used syringe into a sharps container right away. Always keep the sharps disposal container out of the reach of children. Step 5: Record the day of injection and injection site. Ensure to fill out the chart located on the inside flap of the packaging. Use it to note the date of your injection and the specific injection site.
Zilbrysq 16.6 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe comes as injection containing 16.6mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Zilbrysq 16.6 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe is zilucoplan sodium.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Zilbrysq 16.6 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Zilbrysq is indicated as an add-on to standard therapy for the treatment of generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adult patients who are anti‑acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive.
Zilbrysq is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of healthcare professionals experienced in the management of patients with neuromuscular disorders.
Before starting therapy, patients must be vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis. If treatment needs to start less than 2 weeks after vaccination, the patient must receive appropriate prophylactic antibiotic treatment until 2 weeks after the first vaccination dose (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Posology
The recommended dose should be given as a subcutaneous injection once daily and administered about the same time every day.
Table 1: Total daily dose by body weight range
Body weight
Dose*
Number of pre-filled syringes by colour
< 56 kg
16.6 mg
1 (Rubine red)
≥ 56 to < 77 kg
23 mg
1 (Orange)
≥ 77 kg
32.4 mg
1 (Dark blue)
*The recommended dose corresponds to approximately 0.3 mg/kg.
Zilucoplan has not been studied in gMG patients with a Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Class V.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be administered the same day; then, normal dosing should be continued the following day. No more than one dose should be administered per day.
Special populations
Elderly
No dose adjustment is required in elderly patients (see section 5.2). Experience with zilucoplan in elderly patients in clinical studies is limited.
Renal impairment
No dose adjustment is required for patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≥15 mL/min). There are no data on patients requiring dialysis.
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 9 or lower).
The safety and efficacy of Zilbrysq in patients with severe hepatic impairment have not been established. No dose recommendation can be made (see section 5.2).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Zilbrysq in children below the age of 18 years have not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration
This medicinal product is administered by subcutaneous injection.
Suitable injection sites include front of the thighs, abdomen and the back of the upper arms.
Injection sites should be rotated and injections should not be given in areas where the skin is tender, erythematous, bruised, indurated or where the skin has scars or stretch marks.
Zilbrysq is intended to be self-administered by the patient and/or another person who has been properly trained to administer subcutaneous injections and following the detailed instructions given in the instructions for use at the end of the package leaflet.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Patients who are not currently vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis (see section 4.4).
Patients with unresolved Neisseria meningitidis infection.
Neisseria infections
Meningococcal infection
Due to its mechanism of action, the use of zilucoplan may increase the patient's susceptibility to infections with Neisseria meningitidis. As a precautionary measure, all patients must be vaccinated against meningococcal infections, at least 2 weeks prior to the start of treatment.
If treatment needs to start less than 2 weeks after vaccination against meningococcal infections, the patient must receive appropriate prophylactic antibiotic treatment until 2 weeks after the first vaccination dose. Meningococcal vaccines reduce but do not completely eliminate the risk of meningococcal infections.
Vaccines against serogroups A, C, Y, W, and where available, serogroup B, are recommended for preventing the commonly pathogenic meningococcal serogroups. Vaccination and prophylactic antibiotic treatment should occur according to most current relevant guidelines.
During treatment, patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection and evaluated immediately if infection is suspected. In case of a suspected meningococcal infection, appropriate measures such as treatment with antibiotics and discontinuation of treatment, should be taken until the meningococcal infection can be ruled out. Patients should be instructed to seek immediate medical advice if signs or symptoms of meningococcal infections occur.
Prescribers should be familiar with the educational materials for the management of meningococcal infections and provide a patient alert card and patient/carer guide to patients treated with zilucoplan.
Other Neisseria infections
In addition to Neisseria meningitidis, patients treated with zilucoplan may also be susceptible to infections with other Neisseria species, such as gonococcal infections. Patients should be informed on the importance of gonorrhea prevention and treatment.
Immunization
Prior to initiating zilucoplan therapy, it is recommended that patients initiate immunizations according to current immunization guidelines.
Sodium content
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per pre‑filled syringe, that is to say essentially 'sodium‑free'.
No interaction studies have been performed. Based on results from in vitro testing, zilucoplan will not inhibit or induce drug metabolising enzymes (CYPs and UGTs) and common transporters in a clinically relevant manner.
Based on the potential inhibitory effect of zilucoplan on complement-dependent cytotoxicity of rituximab, zilucoplan may reduce the expected pharmacodynamic effects of rituximab.
Pregnancy
There are no data from the use of zilucoplan in pregnant women.
Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
Treatment of pregnant women with Zilbrysq should only be considered if the clinical benefit outweighs the risks.
Breast‑feeding
It is unknown whether zilucoplan is excreted in human milk or absorbed systemically after oral ingestion by the newborns/infants. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded.
A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast‑feeding or to discontinue zilucoplan therapy taking into account the benefit of breastfeeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Fertility
The effect of zilucoplan on human fertility has not been evaluated. In some non-human primate fertility and repeat‑dose toxicity studies, findings of uncertain clinical relevance were observed in male and female reproductive organs (see section 5.3).
Zilbrysq has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Summary of the safety profile
The most frequently reported adverse reactions were injection site reactions (injection site bruising (13.9%) and injection site pain (7.0%)) and upper respiratory tract infections (nasopharyngitis (5.2%), upper respiratory tract infection (3.5%) and sinusitis (3.5%)).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Table 2 presents the adverse reactions from the pooled placebo‑controlled (n=115) and open-label extension (n=213) studies in gMG together with a classification of the frequency in the zilucoplan treated patients, using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1 000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10 000 to < 1/1 000), very rare (< 1/10 000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 2: Adverse reactions
System organ class
Frequency
Adverse reaction
Infections and infestations
Very common
Upper respiratory tract infections*
Gastrointestinal disorders
Common
Diarrhoea
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Common
Morphoea*a
General disorders and administration site conditions
Very common
Injection site reactions*
Investigations
Common
Lipase increased*
Common
Amylase increased*
Uncommon
Blood eosinophils increased*
*See paragraph Description of selected adverse reactions.
aMorphoea was reported only in long-term open-label clinical studies. The maximum duration of exposure to ZLP during the long-term clinical studies was more than 4 years.
Description of selected adverse reactions
Injection site reactions
The most common reactions were injection site bruising, pain, nodule, pruritus and haematoma. All cases were mild or moderate in severity, and less than 3% of reactions led to treatment discontinuation.
Upper respiratory tract infections
The most common infections were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection and sinusitis. More than 95% of the cases were mild or moderate in severity and did not lead to treatment discontinuation. In pooled placebo‑controlled studies, upper respiratory tract infections were reported in 13.0% of patients treated with zilucoplan and in 7.8% of patients treated with placebo.
Pancreatic enzymes increased
Cases of lipase increase (5.2%) and/or amylase increase (6.1%) were observed. These elevations were transient and rarely led to treatment discontinuation. The majority occurred within 2 months of starting zilucoplan and normalized within 2 months.
Blood eosinophils increased
Elevations of blood eosinophils were observed. These were transient and not leading to treatment discontinuation. The majority occurred within 2 months of starting zilucoplan and normalized within 1 month.
Morphoea
Cases of morphoea were observed after long-term treatment during the open-label extension study. The majority of the cases had a time to onset longer than one year after start of treatment, were mild or moderate in severity and did not lead to treatment discontinuation.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via:
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
In a healthy volunteer study where 32 participants were exposed to doses twice the recommended dose (corresponding to approximately 0.6 mg/kg; Table 1), administered subcutaneously for up to 7 days, safety data were consistent with the safety profile of the recommended dose.
In cases of overdose, it is recommended that patients are monitored closely for any adverse reactions, and appropriate supportive measures should be instituted immediately.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Zilbrysq 16.6 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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