Type of medicine: growth hormone receptor antagonist
Generic and brand names: pegvisomant, injection; Somavert
This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat acromegaly (giantism). Acromegaly is a disease caused when the body makes too much growth hormone.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Carefully read the directions that come in the medicine package. The medicine package contains 1 vial of powder and 1 vial of liquid (diluent). The liquid is a special sterile water to dilute the medicine. Use only the diluent that comes with this medicine. You must first mix the two, then gently roll the vial between your hands to dissolve the powder. Do not shake the vial. Shaking may destroy the medicine. The medicine mixture should be clear after the powder is dissolved. If the solution has particles or is cloudy, do not inject it. Prepare another vial. Inject the medicine within 6 hours of mixing it. If you wait more than 6 hours, throw away the mixture without injecting it. Use only 1 dose from each vial.
The shots are given just under the skin. Your healthcare provider will determine the exact dosage. If your healthcare provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.
You can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.
Wash your hands before mixing and using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:
If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.
If you miss a shot, give it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled shot. In that case, skip the missed shot and give the next one as directed. Do not give double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a shot, or if you miss more than one shot, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: tiredness.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine can cause liver damage. If you develop a fever, rash, or yellowing of your eyes and skin, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Yellowish eyes or skin, dark urine, light bowel movements, chest pain, swelling of hands or feet, extreme unexplained tiredness, stomach pain, loss of appetite that lasts for several days.
Other: Back pain, dizziness, injection site reactions (redness, rash, pain), fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, diarrhea, nausea, sweating.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Before you mix the powder and the liquid, store the medicine in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. After mixing the powder and liquid, you must inject the medicine within 6 hours. If you have not used the mixed medicine within 6 hours, throw it away.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
