Key takeaways
- Vyvgart is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which is an injection into a vein over a period of time. Vyvgart infusions last about 1 hour.
- Vyvgart is given in 4-week treatment cycles, with a break in between.
- Your doctor will determine how long you’ll receive Vyvgart based on how you respond to treatment.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vyvgart to treat generalized myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare neuromuscular disease. It’s a type of immunotherapy.
Doctors typically determine your dosage based on your weight, and Vyvgart will be given in 4-week cycles.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Vyvgart, including its strength and how you’ll receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at this drug, see this in-depth Vyvgart article.
A similar drug called Vyvgart Hytrulo is also available from the manufacturer. It contains the active ingredients efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc. In addition to treating MG, Vyvgart Hytrulo is used to treat chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). This article focuses on Vyvgart. Talk with your doctor for more information about Vyvgart Hytrulo.
Vyvgart comes as a solution that a healthcare professional gives as an IV infusion, meaning it’s slowly injected into your vein over a period of time.
It comes in one strength: 20 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of solution. Each 20-mL, single-use vial contains 400 mg of the active drug.
Vyvgart dosage for myasthenia gravis
Vyvgart’s dosage is based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is equal to 2.2 pounds (lb).
Typically, you’ll receive 10 mg per kg of body weight. You’ll receive this dose as an IV infusion once per week for 4 weeks. This is called a treatment cycle.
After your fourth dose, you’ll have a break before your next treatment cycle. Your doctor will determine how many more Vyvgart treatment cycles you’ll have based on how you respond to treatment. This includes any side effects you have and how effective Vyvgart is for your condition. If your doctor recommends another cycle, there will typically be at least 50 days (about 7 weeks or more) between treatment cycles.
If you weigh 120 kg (264 lb) or more, your Vyvgart dosage will likely be 1,200 mg per infusion.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Vyvgart may be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Vyvgart is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.
Before you start Vyvgart treatment, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you infusions of Vyvgart. You’ll likely receive infusions at your doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital. The infusion takes about 1 hour.
On the day of your infusion, your doctor may recommend that you:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat as you usually would.
- Wear comfortable, layered clothing in case it’s cold in the office.
- Bring a list of medications that you take to your appointment.
A healthcare professional will check your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature during your infusion. They’ll monitor you during and after the infusion.
If you have questions about what to expect with Vyvgart, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
Tips for Vyvgart therapy
The following tips can help with your Vyvgart therapy. Consider screenshotting this list as a reminder.
- Check your vaccine status: You should avoid live vaccines (such as the MMR vaccine) while undergoing treatment.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before your infusions.
- Bring something with you: Consider bringing a book, tablet, or activity like knitting with you to keep you occupied throughout the infusion.
- Track your symptoms: Take note of any changes to your symptoms. This can help you know what effect the treatment is having.
- Prevent infection: Because Vyvgart therapy can lower your immune system’s defenses, you may get sick more easily. Make sure to always wash your hands and wear a mask in public places.
If you miss your appointment for a Vyvgart infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. You should be able to receive your Vyvgart infusion if it’s within 3 days of your scheduled dose. Then, you’ll resume your regular schedule for the next dose.
If it’s been more than 3 days since your missed appointment, let your doctor know. They’ll recommend when you should get your next infusion.
Vyvgart starts to work after your first dose. However, you may not feel the drug working right away. Your doctor will monitor your condition during treatment to see whether the drug is effective for your condition. They’ll also ask you to keep track of your symptoms to see whether Vyvgart is working for you.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Vyvgart treatment.
As with Vyvgart, doctors prescribe Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) to treat generalized MG. Vyvgart Hytrulo is also approved to treat chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
The typical dose of Vyvgart is 10 mg per kg of body weight. A healthcare professional gives this as an IV infusion over the course of 1 hour.
The typical dose of Vyvgart Hytrulo for generalized MG is 1,008 mg efgartigimod alfa and 11,200 units hyaluronidase (the two active ingredients in Vyvgart Hytrulo). A healthcare professional injects this dose under the skin for 30 to 90 seconds.
You receive both medications once per week for 4 weeks. This is known as a treatment cycle. After the fourth week, you’ll take a break. Your doctor will let you know when you will begin another treatment cycle.
This article focuses on Vyvgart, not Vyvgart Hytrulo. If you have questions about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
If you’ve been prescribed Vyvgart, you’ll likely be given your infusions in a doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital over the course of 1 hour.
Before an infusion, make sure you stay hydrated and bring something to entertain yourself. If you feel nervous about the infusion, consider speaking with your doctor or another healthcare professional for reassurance.
Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.