Patient Information for Vyleesi
VYLEESI®
(vahy-lee-see)
(bremelanotide injection) for subcutaneous use
What is VYLEESI?
VYLEESI is a prescription medicine used to treat hypoactive (low) sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women who have not gone through menopause, who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past, and who have low sexual desire no matter the type of sexual activity, the situation, or the sexual partner. Women with HSDD have low sexual desire that is troubling to them. Their low sexual desire is not due to:
- a medical or mental health problem
- problems in the relationship
- medicine or other drug use
VYLEESI is not for the treatment of HSDD in women who have gone through menopause or in men.
VYLEESI is not for use to improve sexual performance.
VYLEESI is not for use in children.
Do not us e VYLEESI if you have:
- high blood pressure that is not controlled (uncontrolled hypertension)
- known heart (cardiovascular) disease
Before using VYLEESI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions , including if you:
- have high blood pressure.
- have heart problems.
- have kidney problems.
- have liver problems.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VYLEESI will harm your unborn baby.
- Pregnancy Registry: There will be a pregnancy registry for women who use VYLEESI during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry or call the VYLEESI Pregnancy Exposure Registry at 877-411-2510.
- Women who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with VYLEESI. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control choices that may be right for you during this time. Stop using VYLEESI and tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant during treatment with VYLEESI.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VYLEESI passes into your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use VYLEESI.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. VYLEESI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way VYLEESI works.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.
How should I use VYLEESI?
See the detailed “Instructions for Us e” that comes with VYLEESI for information on how to prepare and inject a dos e of VYLEESI. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Use VYLEESI exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- VYLEESI comes in an autoinjector that you or your caregiver may use at home to give injections.
- VYLEESI is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection), in your thighs or stomach area (abdomen).
- Inject VYLEESI at least 45 minutes before you think that you will begin sexual activity.
- Do not inject more than 1 dose of VYLEESI within 24 hours of your last dose.
- Do not inject more than 8 doses of VYLEESI within a month.
Tell your healthcare provider if your symptoms of HSDD have not improved after you have used VYLEESI for 8 weeks.
What are the possible side effects of VYLEESI?
VYLEESI can cause serious side effects, including:
- Temporary increase in blood pressure and decrease in heart rate: An increase in blood pressure and decrease in heart rate can happen shortly after you inject VYLEESI. These changes usually go away within 12 hours after your injection. Increases in blood pressure and an increased risk of heart (cardiovascular) problems can happen if you use VYLEESI more often than prescribed by your healthcare provider. See “How should I use VYLEESI?”
- Darkening of the s kin on certain parts of the body (focal hyperpigmentation) including the face, gums (gingiva) and breast. The chance of darkening of the skin is increased in people with darker skin color. The chance of darkening of the skin is higher if VYLEESI is used every day. Darkening of the skin may not go away, even after you stop using VYLEESI. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about changes to your skin
- Nausea. Nausea is common and can also be severe. Nausea most commonly happens after the first VYLEESI injection but can also happen after any dose of VYLEESI. The nausea usually lasts for about 2 hours but can last longer in some people. The nausea usually goes away by itself. Tell your healthcare provider if you have nausea that is severe or does not go away. Your healthcare provider may prescribe an anti-nausea medicine for you.
The most common side effects of VYLEESI include:
- flushing
- vomiting
- hot flush
- nasal congestion
- injection site reactions
- cough
- tingling
- headache
- fatigue
- dizziness
These are not all the possible side effects of VYLEESI.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800- FDA-1088.
How should I store VYLEESI?
- Store at or below 77°F (25°C).
- Do not freeze.
- Protect from light.
Keep VYLEESI and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of VYLEESI.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use VYLEESI for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VYLEESI to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about VYLEESI that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in VYLEESI?
Active ingredient: bremelanotide
Inactive ingredients : 2.5% glycerin, sterile water for injection, and hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide is added to adjust the pH
Instructions for Use
Important Information
- Do not use more than 1 dose of VYLEESI in 24 hours.
- Do not use more than 8 doses of VYLEESI within a month.
- Use 1 auto injector for your dos e of VYLEESI. Throw away (dispose of) the auto injector after giving your injection. See Step 6: Throw away (dispose of) the VYLEESI auto injector.
- Inject VYLEESI into the s kin of the stomach area (abdomen) or thigh only.
- Do not pull off the clear cap from the VYLEESI auto injector until you are ready to inject VYLEESI.
Storage
Store at or below 77°F (25°C). Do not freeze. Protect from light.
Keep VYLEESI and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Instructions for Use
Read this Instructions for Use before you use VYLEESI and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Do not inject VYLEESI unless you have been trained by your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Supplies Needed for Your Injection:
- 1 alcohol wipe (not included in carton)
- 1 VYLEESI autoinjector
- 1 cotton ball or gauze (not included in carton)
- 1 adhesive bandage (not included in carton)
- 1 sharps disposal container for VYLEESI autoinjector disposal. See Step 6: Throw away (dispose of) the VYLEESI autoinjector.
Read and follow Step 1 to Step 6 to use the VYLEESI autoinjector.
Step 1 . Check supplies
Check the label on the autoinjector for the expiration date (EXP). Do not use the autoinjector if the expiration date has passed.
Check the view window. You should see the gray tip in half of the view window and the medicine in half of the view window. If the view window is purple, the autoinjector will not work. Use a new autoinjector if the view window is purple.
Look at the medicine in the view window. It should be clear and free of particles. Do not use if the medicine is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
Check that the clear cap fits tightly on the purple tip of the autoinjector. If the cap does not fit tightly or is damaged, do not use the autoinjector. Call AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-877-411-2510.
Step 2. Get Ready
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Choose an injection site on your stomach area (abdomen) or the front of your thigh. Avoid the area on your abdomen that is 2 inches around your belly button (navel).
- Do not inject into skin that is irritated, sore, bruised, red, hard, or scarred.
- Do not inject through your clothes.
- Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection.
Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe.
Let the injection site air dry. Do not fan or blow on the clean area. Do not touch the injection site again before giving the injection.
Step 3. Prepare and Give Injection
The autoinjector must be used right away after it is activated.
Pull the clear cap from the autoinjector (See Figure A) to activate.
- Do not try to recap the autoinjector.
- The autoinjector should be used or thrown away right after the cap is removed.
See Step 6: Throw away (dispose of) the VYLEESI autoinjector.
Important: During the injection you will hear two clicks.
Place the purple tip flat against the center of the clean skin at your injection site.
Make sure you can see the view window (See Figure B).
Press down and hold the autoinjector firmly against your skin (See Figure C). You will hear the 1s t click right away, which tells you that your injection has started.
In about 2 seconds, you will hear a 2nd click.
Continue to press and hold the autoinjector firmly against your skin for about 5 seconds after the 2nd click to be sure your injection is complete (See Figure D).
Step 4 . Check that the Medicine was Given
Check that the view window is now purple with a small part of the gray tip still showing. This means that all of the medicine was given (See Figure E).
Remove the autoinjector by lifting it straight off of your s kin. After you remove the autoinjector from your skin, the purple tip will lock over the needle.
Step 5 . Check the Injection Site
A cotton ball or gauze can be used initially to apply pressure after the injection if there is bleeding. An adhesive bandage should be applied after this, if needed.
Apply an adhesive bandage if needed.
Do not rub the injection site.
Step 6 . Throw away (dispose of ) the VYLEESI Autoinjector
Put your used VYLEESI autoinjector in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right after use (See Figure F).
Do not throw away (dispose of) the autoinjector in your household trash.
If you do not have a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
- made of heavy-duty plastic,
- can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out,
- upright and stable during use,
- leak-resistant, and
- properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.
When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. Â There may be state or local laws about how you should throw away used needles and syringes.
For more information about safe sharps disposal and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to the FDA’s website at: https://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal.
Do not dispose of your used sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.
This Instructions for Us e has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.