REKOVELLE Solution for injection Ref.[9738] Active ingredients: Follitropin delta

Source: European Medicines Agency (EU)  Revision Year: 2017  Publisher: Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Kay Fiskers Plads 11, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark

Therapeutic indications

Controlled ovarian stimulation for the development of multiple follicles in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle.

There is no clinical trial experience with REKOVELLE in the long GnRH agonist protocol (see section 5.1).

Posology and method of administration

Treatment should be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in the treatment of fertility problems.

Posology

The posology of REKOVELLE is individualised for each patient and aims to obtain an ovarian response which is associated with a favourable safety/efficacy profile, i.e. aims to achieve an adequate number of oocytes retrieved and reduce the interventions to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). REKOVELLE is dosed in micrograms (see section 5.1). The dosing regimen is specific for REKOVELLE and the microgram dose cannot be applied to other gonadotropins.

For the first treatment cycle, the individual daily dose will be determined on the basis of the woman’s serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and her body weight. The dose should be based on a recent determination of AMH (i.e. within the last 12 months) measured by the following diagnostic test from Roche: ELECSYS AMH Plus immunoassay (see section 4.4). The individual daily dose is to be maintained throughout the stimulation period. For women with AMH <15 pmol/L the daily dose is 12 micrograms, irrespective of body weight. For women with AMH ≥15 pmol/L the daily dose decreases from 0.19 to 0.10 micrograms/kg by increasing AMH concentration (Table 1). The dose is to be rounded off to the nearest 0.33 micrograms to match the dosing scale on the injection pen. The maximum daily dose for the first treatment cycle is 12 micrograms. For calculation of the REKOVELLE dose, the body weight is to be measured without shoes and overcoat just prior to start of stimulation.

Table 1. Dosing regimen:

AMH (pmol/l)<1515-16171819-2021-2223-2425-2728-3233-39≥40
Fixed daily dose of REKOVELLE120.190.180.170.160.150.140.130.120.110.10
mcgmcg/kg

The AMH concentration is to be expressed in pmol/L and is to be rounded off to the nearest integer. If the AMH concentration is in ng/mL, the concentration should be converted to pmol/L by multiplying with 7.14 (ng/mL x 7.14 = pmol/L) before use.
mcg: micrograms

Treatment with REKOVELLE should be initiated day 2 or 3 after start of menstrual bleeding, and continue until adequate follicular development (≥3 follicles ≥17 mm) has been achieved, which on average is by the ninth day of treatment (range 5 to 20 days). A single injection of 250 micrograms recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or 5,000 IU hCG is administered to induce final follicular maturation. In patients with excessive follicular development (of ≥25 follicles ≥12 mm), treatment with REKOVELLE should be stopped and triggering of final follicular maturation with hCG should not be performed.

For subsequent treatment cycles, the daily dose of REKOVELLE should be maintained or modified according to the patient’s ovarian response in the previous cycle. If the patient had adequate ovarian response in the previous cycle without developing OHSS, the same daily dose should be used. In case of ovarian hypo-response in the previous cycle, the daily dose in the subsequent cycle should be increased by 25% or 50%, according to the extent of response observed. In case of ovarian hyperresponse in the previous cycle, the daily dose in the subsequent cycle should be decreased by 20% or 33%, according to the extent of response observed. In patients who developed OHSS or were at risk of OHSS in a previous cycle, the daily dose for the subsequent cycle is 33% lower than the dose used in the cycle where OHSS or risk of OHSS occurred. The maximum daily dose is 24 micrograms.

Patients with renal and hepatic impairment

Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of REKOVELLE in patients with renal or hepatic impairment have not been specifically studied in clinical trials. Although limited, data did not indicate a need for a different dosing regimen of REKOVELLE in this patient population (see section 4.4).

Polycystic ovarian syndrome patients with anovulatory disorders

Anovulatory patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome have not been studied. Ovulatory patients with polycystic ovaries have been included in clinical trials (see section 5.1).

Elderly

There is no relevant use of REKOVELLE in the elderly population.

Paediatric population

There is no relevant use of REKOVELLE in the paediatric population.

Method of administration

REKOVELLE is intended for subcutaneous use, preferably in the abdominal wall. The first injection should be performed under direct medical supervision. Patients must be educated on how to use the REKOVELLE injection pen and to perform injections. Self-administration should only be performed by patients who are well motivated, adequately trained and have access to expert advice.

For instructions on the administration with the pre-filled pen, see the “Instructions for Use”.

Overdose

The effect of an overdose is unknown, nevertheless, there is a risk that OHSS may occur (see section 4.4).

Shelf life

Shelf life: 3 years.

In use: 28 days when stored at or below 25°C.

Special precautions for storage

Store in a refrigerator (2°C–8°C).

Do not freeze.

Before first use, store in the original package in order to protect from light.

REKOVELLE may be removed from the refrigerator, without being refrigerated again, and stored at or below 25°C for up to 3 months including the period after first use. It must be discarded afterwards.

For storage conditions after first use of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

Nature and contents of container

REKOVELLE 12 micrograms/0.36 mL solution for injection: 3 mL multidose cartridge (Type I glass) with a plunger (halobutyl rubber) and a crimp cap (aluminium) with an inlay (rubber). Each cartridge contains 0.36 mL of solution. Pack size of 1 pre-filled pen and 3 injection needles (stainless steel).

REKOVELLE 36 micrograms/1.08 mL solution for injection: 3 mL multidose cartridge (Type I glass) with a plunger (halobutyl rubber) and a crimp cap (aluminium) with an inlay (rubber). Each cartridge contains 1.08 mL of solution. Pack size of 1 pre-filled pen and 6 injection needles (stainless steel).

REKOVELLE 72 micrograms/2.16 mL solution for injection: 3 mL multidose cartridge (Type I glass) with a plunger (halobutyl rubber) and a crimp cap (aluminium) with an inlay (rubber). Each cartridge contains 2.16 mL of solution. Pack size of 1 pre-filled pen and 9 injection needles (stainless steel).

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

The solution should not be administered if it contains particles or is not clear.

The instructions for use of the pen must be followed. Discard used needles immediately after injection.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

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