Empaveli (pegcetacoplan) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain blood conditions in adults. Empaveli comes as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous infusion, typically twice per week.
Empaveli is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
Empaveli is a brand-name drug and belongs to a drug class called complement inhibitors. Empaveli isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Empaveli, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Empaveli, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Empaveli provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Empaveli, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Empaveli dosage
Read below for the recommended dosage of Empaveli and other details about the drug.
Empaveli form
Empaveli comes as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous infusion. Your doctor will show you how to give your Empaveli infusion so that you can do it yourself. To learn more, see the “How Empaveli is given” section below.
Empaveli strength
Empaveli comes in one strength of 1,080 milligrams (mg) of the drug in a 20-milliliter (mL) liquid solution (54 mg per mL).
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will have you infuse Empaveli twice per week.
Due to risk of serious infections caused by certain bacteria,* your doctor will likely have you complete any vaccinations needed to protect against encapsulated bacteria at least 2 weeks before receiving your first infusion of Empaveli.
If you start Empaveli before you’ve received your vaccinations, your doctor will likely have you take certain antibiotics to help protect you until you are able to complete them.
* Empaveli has a
The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Doctors may prescribe Empaveli to treat PNH.
If your doctor prescribes Empaveli for your PNH, your starting dose will likely be 1,080 mg. Typically, you’ll infuse this twice per week. This is the typical recommended dosage of Empaveli for people with PNH. If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend another dose increase of 1,080 mg every 3 days. This is the maximum dose of Empaveli that’s recommended.
If you’re already taking a complement or C5 inhibitor, such as eculizumab or ravulizumab, and your physician has decided you can start Empaveli, they’ll discuss your new treatment plan.
The table below shows the typical dosage schedule, including the starting dosage and maintenance dosage if you’re receiving C5 inhibitor therapy. Your doctor will choose a maintenance dose that suits your needs.
| Current C5 inhibitor treatment regimen | Starting regimen | Maintenance regimen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| not currently receiving a C5 inhibitor | 1,080 mg Empaveli given twice per week* | 1,080 mg Empaveli given twice per week* | |
| currently receiving eculizumab | Continue current dose of eculizumab for 4 weeks after starting Empaveli and 1,080 mg Empaveli given twice per week.* | 1,080 mg Empaveli given twice per week* | After 4 weeks you’ll likely stop eculizumab treatment and continue with the maintenance Empaveli treatment. |
| currently receiving ravulizumab | Stop treatment with ravulizumab. Within 4 weeks of stopping ravulizumab, begin 1,080 mg Empaveli given twice per week.* | 1,080 mg Empaveli given twice per week* |
*given subcutaneously using Empaveli body injector
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Empaveli is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Empaveli is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely infuse it long term.
Before you start taking Empaveli, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Factors that can affect your dosage
The Empaveli dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how your body responds to Empaveli
- lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (an enzyme) levels in your body
- side effects you may have with Empaveli
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Empaveli dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you have high LDH levels in your body. LDH is an enzyme found in numerous tissues of the body. It helps the the body utilize lactate (a type of sugar) for energy.
If there’s an increase in your LDH to greater than 2 times the typical upper limit, your doctor may tell you to take Empaveli every 3 days. If your doctor increases your dose, they’ll check your LDH level twice per week for at least 4 weeks.
How Empaveli is given
Empaveli comes as a solution in a single-dose vial. It’s given subcutaneously (under the skin) using the Empaveli body injector. The infusion usually takes between 30–60 minutes.
With a subcutaneous injection, you’ll inject the medication under your skin. You’ll use the single-dose Empaveli liquid vial with the Empaveli body injector to give yourself Empaveli infusions. Your doctor will give you your first dose. Then, they’ll show you (or your caregiver) how to do it. Make sure to inject Empaveli according to your prescribed instructions.
You’ll store Empaveli vials in the refrigerator. Take Empaveli out of the fridge 30 minutes before using so it can come to room temperature.
Using the body injector, you can self-inject Empaveli into your abdomen. Do not inject Empaveli within 1 inch of your belly button.
Be sure to choose a different injection site each time you inject Empaveli. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This will reduce your risk of injection-related side effects, such as bleeding or pain at the injection site.
Each body injector is for single-use only. Be sure to dispose of your single-dose liquid vial of Empaveli and the body injector after each use.
General guidance
If you have questions about how to use Empaveli, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video and step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of Empaveli, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Empaveli and overdose
It’s important that you do not take more Empaveli than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Empaveli
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Empaveli. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about Empaveli.
Is the dosage of Empaveli similar to the dosage of Soliris?
No, the way you take each drug and how often you take each drug are different. Empaveli and Soliris (eculizumab) are both supplied as a liquid solution, but Empaveli is given as a , whereas Soliris is given as an intravenous infusion.
You can self-infuse Empaveli at home once your doctor shows you how. But Soliris can only be given by a healthcare professional.
The frequency of each drug is also different. Empaveli is given twice per week, and Soliris is given every week for the first 5 weeks of treatment. Then, it’s given every 2 weeks.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Empaveli to start working?
Empaveli starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Over time, you may notice an improvement in your PNH symptoms. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Empaveli treatment.
Takeaways and helpful resources
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Empaveli for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Empaveli without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Empaveli that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Empaveli. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Empaveli: For information about other aspects of Empaveli, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Empaveli, see the the Empaveli prescribing information.
- Cost: If you’d like to learn about Empaveli and cost, see this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.