Vyepti Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Vyepti Injection contains eptinezumab, a CGRP inhibitor given by IV infusion to help prevent migraine in adults. It is used for adults who have migraine at least 4 days per month, including both episodic and chronic migraine. Vyepti works by blocking calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a substance involved in triggering migraine attacks.

What is Vyepti Injection

Vyepti is a prescription medicine given by IV infusion to help prevent migraine in adults. It contains eptinezumab, an antibody that blocks a protein involved in migraine attacks.

Vyepti Injection uses

• Prevention of migraine in adults who have migraine at least 4 days per month
• Helps prevent both episodic migraine and chronic migraine

Benefits of Vyepti Injection

• Can reduce the number of days with migraine per month
• May improve quality of life
• Some people notice a preventive effect starting the day after the infusion

How Vyepti Injection works

Vyepti blocks a substance called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is involved in triggering migraine attacks. By blocking CGRP, the medicine helps stop the chain of events that leads to a migraine before it starts.

Vyepti Injection dosage

Vyepti is given as a drip (infusion) into a vein by a healthcare professional, usually taking about 30 minutes. It must not be given as a quick injection (bolus). You will be watched by a healthcare professional during and after the infusion for signs of an allergic reaction. Vyepti is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years because it has not been studied in this age group. If a dose is missed, your doctor will decide when the next dose should be given.

Available forms and strengths

• Concentrate for solution for infusion (100 mg and 300 mg vials)

Side effects of Vyepti Injection

Common

• Stuffy or runny nose (nasopharyngitis)
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Fatigue
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions during or after infusion

Serious

• Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, with breathing difficulty, fast or weak pulse, sudden drop in blood pressure, swelling of lips or tongue, or severe itching/rash
• Severe constipation, sometimes requiring hospitalization
• High blood pressure or worsening of high blood pressure
• Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers or toes turning numb, cool, painful, or changing color from pale to blue to red)

Warnings and precautions

• Tell your doctor before treatment if you have heart or blood circulation disease, since people with these conditions were not well studied with this medicine.
• Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur and may develop within minutes of the infusion.
• This medicine contains sorbitol, so people with hereditary fructose intolerance (a rare genetic condition) must not receive it unless strictly necessary.
• Severe constipation, sometimes needing hospital care, has happened after receiving this medicine.
• High blood pressure or worsening high blood pressure can occur after receiving this medicine.
• Raynaud's phenomenon, a circulation problem causing numb, cool, or painful fingers or toes that change color, can worsen or start after receiving this medicine.
• There is limited information on using Vyepti during pregnancy, so it is generally avoided unless your doctor decides it is clearly needed.
• It isn't known whether Vyepti passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about whether to breastfeed while using this medicine.
• No dose change is needed for people with kidney problems.
• No dose change is needed for people with liver problems.
• There are no known interactions between Vyepti and alcohol, though alcohol can trigger migraines in some people.
• Vyepti is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C)
• Do not freeze or shake
• Keep the vial in the outer carton to protect from light
• If removed from the refrigerator, must be used within 7 days when stored in the original carton at room temperature (up to 25°C), or else discarded; do not put it back in the refrigerator once removed
• After dilution, the solution may be stored at room temperature (below 25°C) or in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C), and must be used within 8 hours
• Do not use this medicine if the solution contains visible particles or is cloudy or discolored
• Do not throw away medicines via wastewater; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction such as trouble breathing, a fast or weak pulse, a sudden drop in blood pressure causing dizziness, swelling of the lips or tongue, or severe itching or rash.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have severe constipation or constipation with severe belly pain, vomiting, swelling of the belly, or bloating.
• Contact your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases.
• Contact your healthcare provider if your fingers or toes become numb, cool, painful, or change color from pale to blue to red.

Alternatives

• Aimovig
• Ajovy
• Emgality