HOW should this medicine be used?
Mirikizumab-mrkz injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be slowly injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office. It also comes as a solution in a prefilled pen or syringe to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) by yourself at home. It is given intravenously once every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses and then it is injected subcutaneously once every 4 weeks thereafter.
You will receive your first subcutaneous dose of mirikizumab-mrkz injection in your doctor's office. After that, you can inject mirikizumab-mrkz yourself or have a caregiver give the injections. Before you use mirikizumab-mrkz injection yourself the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it. Do not inject more or less of it or inject it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Use each pen or syringe only once and inject all the solution in the pen or syringe. Dispose of used pens or syringes in a puncture-resistant container. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.
You can inject mirikizumab-mrkz injection anywhere on the front of your thighs (upper leg) or stomach except your navel (belly button) and the area 2 inches (5 centimeters) around it. If someone else is giving you the injection, that person can also inject the medication into your upper, outer arms. Each full dose requires 2 injections using 2 prefilled pens or syringes. Inject one prefilled pen or syringe and then inject a second dosing pen or syringe immediately. Use a different site for each injection to reduce the chances of soreness or redness. Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard or where you have scars or stretch marks.
Remove the prefilled pen or syringe from the refrigerator and place it on a flat surface. Allow it to warm to room temperature for 30 minutes (prefilled pen) or 45 minutes (prefilled syringe) before injecting. Do not try to warm the medication by heating it in a microwave, placing it in hot water, or through any other method.
Do not remove the cap from the prefilled pen or syringe while the medication is warming. You should remove the cap right before you inject the medication. Do not replace the cap after you remove it. Do not use the device if you drop it on the floor.
Do not shake the prefilled dosing pen or syringe. This may damage the medication.
Always look at mirikizumab-mrkz solution before injecting it. Check that the expiration date has not passed. Check with the written instructions for use to find out what it should look like. Do not use a syringe or pen if it is expired or if the liquid does not look like it is described in the written instructions for use.
You will be given the Medication Guide when you begin treatment with mirikizumab-mrkz injection and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visithttps://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htmto obtain the Medication Guide.