Myalept is a prescription medicine only available through certified pharmacies that are enrolled in the Myalept Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Your doctor must be enrolled and certified in the program in order to prescribe Myalept.
- Your doctor will start you on a specific dose of Myalept based on your weight.
- Depending on how well you are doing, your doctor may increase or decrease your dose over time.
Before you start, here are 3 things to know:
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2
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When you are ready to take Myalept, it is important to mix Myalept with the appropriate liquid as prescribed by your doctor, following these guidelines.
Newborn or Infant
Myalept should be mixed with sterile water for injection (preservative free) (WFI) and used right away. You should throw away any medication not used during each injection. Serious side effects including death have happened in newborns or infants who have received the preservative benzyl alcohol. Bacteriostatic water for injection contains benzyl alcohol and it should not be used to mix Myalept for newborns and infants.
Older Child or Adult
Myalept should be mixed with bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI) and can be used for more than 1 dose for up to 3 days. Mixed Myalept should be stored in the refrigerator and out of the light. You should throw away any medication not used after 3 days.
- DO review the complete Instructions for Use before each injection
- DO inject Myalept once a day, at the same time each day
- DO inject Myalept at room temperature
- DO mix Myalept with the right liquid depending on age
- DO inject Myalept in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen
- DO store Myalept in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) and away from light
- DO follow the diet recommended by your doctor
- DO vary (rotate) the site where you give the injection
- DO NOT inject Myalept into your muscle or veins
- DO NOT take more than your regular daily dosage in a single day
- DO NOT take an extra dose or increase the amount of your dose to make up for a missed dose
- DO NOT mix Myalept and insulin in the same syringe or vial
- DO NOT shake Myalept when mixing
- DO NOT freeze Myalept
- DO NOT stop taking Myalept without consulting your doctor
- DO NOT use if the liquid is cloudy or colored or has particles after mixing
What is Myalept?
Myalept® (metreleptin) is a leptin replacement therapy used with a doctor-recommended diet to treat problems caused by not having enough leptin (leptin deficiency) in people with generalized lipodystrophy.
- It is not known if Myalept is safe and effective when used to treat problems (complications) caused by partial lipodystrophy or to treat liver disease, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Myalept should not be used to treat people with HIV-related lipodystrophy or people with metabolic disease, including diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia, without signs or symptoms of congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy.
Important Safety Information
Myalept is only available through a restricted program called the Myalept Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Your doctor must be enrolled and certified in the program in order to prescribe Myalept.
Myalept may cause serious side effects, including:
- risk for developing certain proteins called neutralizing antibodies that may reduce how well your own leptin or Myalept works. Side effects of these antibodies may include infection, problems with blood sugar (including diabetes), or an increase in triglycerides.
- increased risk of a type of blood cancer called lymphoma.
You should not take Myalept if you:
- have general obesity not caused by a congenital leptin deficiency.
- are allergic to metreleptin or any of the ingredients in Myalept. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching (hives), swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, fainting or dizziness, rapid heartbeat.
Before using Myalept, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions including if you:
- have or have had problems with your blood cells, including low blood cell counts (especially your white blood cells), bone marrow, immune system, pancreas, swollen lymph nodes, lymphoma, high blood triglyceride levels, or use insulin or a sulfonylurea.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant as it is unknown if Myalept will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while using Myalept, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with a program to collect information about the outcomes of moms and babies exposed to Myalept during pregnancy. You can enroll in the Myalept program by calling 1-855-669-2537.
- are nursing or plan to nurse. You should not nurse while you take Myalept.
Other possible side effects
The most common side effects of Myalept include headache, low blood sugar, decreased weight, and/or abdominal pain.
You may get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if you take Myalept with other medicines used to lower blood sugar, such as insulin or sulfonylurea. Your doses of these medications may need to be lowered while you use Myalept. Tell your doctor right away if you experience shakiness, sweating, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, or a jittery feeling because these may be signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
For newborns and infants, mix Myalept with sterile water for injection (preservative-free) (WFI). Serious side effects including death have happened in newborns or infants who have received the preservative benzyl alcohol. Bacteriostatic water for injection contains benzyl alcohol and it should not be used to mix Myalept for newborns and infants.
Myalept may worsen symptoms caused by certain problems in your immune system (autoimmune disorder). Ask your doctor about what symptoms you should watch for that may require further testing.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Myalept. For more information, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Take Myalept exactly as your doctor instructs you.
Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Myalept?
Myalept® (metreleptin) is a leptin replacement therapy used with a doctor-recommended diet to treat problems caused by not having enough leptin (leptin deficiency) in people with generalized lipodystrophy.
- It is not known if Myalept is safe and effective when used to treat problems (complications) caused by partial lipodystrophy or to treat liver disease, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Myalept should not be used to treat people with HIV-related lipodystrophy or people with metabolic disease, including diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia, without signs or symptoms of congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy.
Important Safety Information
Myalept is only available through a restricted program called the Myalept Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Your doctor must be enrolled and certified in the program in order to prescribe Myalept.
Myalept may cause serious side effects, including:
- risk for developing certain proteins called neutralizing antibodies that may reduce how well your own leptin or Myalept works. Side effects of these antibodies may include infection, problems with blood sugar (including diabetes), or an increase in triglycerides.
- increased risk of a type of blood cancer called lymphoma.
You should not take Myalept if you:
- have general obesity not caused by a congenital leptin deficiency.
- are allergic to metreleptin or any of the ingredients in Myalept. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching (hives), swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, fainting or dizziness, rapid heartbeat.
Before using Myalept, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions including if you:
- have or have had problems with your blood cells, including low blood cell counts (especially your white blood cells), bone marrow, immune system, pancreas, swollen lymph nodes, lymphoma, high blood triglyceride levels, or use insulin or a sulfonylurea.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant as it is unknown if Myalept will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while using Myalept, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with a program to collect information about the outcomes of moms and babies exposed to Myalept during pregnancy. You can enroll in the Myalept program by calling 1-855-669-2537.
- are nursing or plan to nurse. You should not nurse while you take Myalept.
Other possible side effects
The most common side effects of Myalept include headache, low blood sugar, decreased weight, and/or abdominal pain.
You may get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if you take Myalept with other medicines used to lower blood sugar, such as insulin or sulfonylurea. Your doses of these medications may need to be lowered while you use Myalept. Tell your doctor right away if you experience shakiness, sweating, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, or a jittery feeling because these may be signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
For newborns and infants, mix Myalept with sterile water for injection (preservative-free) (WFI). Serious side effects including death have happened in newborns or infants who have received the preservative benzyl alcohol. Bacteriostatic water for injection contains benzyl alcohol and it should not be used to mix Myalept for newborns and infants.
Myalept may worsen symptoms caused by certain problems in your immune system (autoimmune disorder). Ask your doctor about what symptoms you should watch for that may require further testing.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Myalept. For more information, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Take Myalept exactly as your doctor instructs you.
Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
