Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is available in 4 forms: vial, prefilled syringe, prefilled syringe with needle shield, and prefilled pen.

Vial: A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through an IV that is placed into one of your veins. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 2 hours.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have questions.

Prefilled syringe, prefilled syringe with needle shield, or prefilled pen: You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. It is usually given as a shot under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Make sure you understand all instructions before you give yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, damaged, hard, or areas with scars.

To use the prefilled pen:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the pen to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm using other heat sources (eg, hot water or microwave).
  • Check the liquid in the pen. It should be clear, colorless to pale brown. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not use the pen if it is cracked or damaged. It is normal to see air bubbles in the liquid. Do not shake.
  • Gently pull the cap straight off. Do not recap the prefilled pen. Do not touch the needle.
  • Hold the pen so that you can see the window. Without pinching or stretching the skin, place the pen over the skin at a 90 degree angle.
  • Press the pen firmly against the skin. When the injection starts, you will hear the first loud "click" and the purple plunger rod will begin to fill the window.
  • Keep holding the pen firmly and listen for the second loud "click". This can take up to 10 seconds. Do not change the position of the pen after injection has started.
  • After you hear the second loud "click" continue to hold the pen firmly and slowly count to 5 to make sure you have received the full dose.
  • Make sure that the purple plunger rod is filling the window completely.

To use the prefilled syringe:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the pen to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm using other heat sources (eg, hot water or microwave).
  • Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear, colorless to pale brown. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not use the syringe if it is damaged or has been dropped. It is normal to see air bubbles in the liquid. Do not shake.
  • Gently pull the cap straight off. Do not pull back on plunger rod. Do not touch the needle.
  • Hold the syringe in one hand between your thumb and index finger. Pinch the skin around the injection site with one hand. With a quick "dart-like" motion, insert the needle completely at a 45 degree angle. Do not change the position of the syringe.
  • Push the plunger down slowly and as far as it will go until the syringe is empty. Remove the needle from the skin at the same angle it was inserted.

To use the prefilled syringe with needle shield:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the pen to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm using other heat sources (eg, hot water or microwave).
  • Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear, colorless to pale brown. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not use the pen if it is cracked or damaged. It is normal to see air bubbles in the liquid. Do not shake.
  • Gently pull the cap straight off. Do not pull back on plunger rod. Do not touch the needle.
  • Hold the syringe in one hand between your thumb and index finger. Pinch the skin around the injection site with one hand. With a quick "dart-like" motion, insert the needle completely at a 45 degree angle. Do not change the position of the syringe.
  • Push the plunger down slowly and as far as it will go until the syringe is empty. Slowly lift your thumb from the plunger until the needle is completely covered by the needle guard.

You may also receive medicines (eg, allergy medicine, fever medicine, steroids) to help prevent possible unwanted effects during the injection.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (prefilled pen, prefilled syringe, or prefilled syringe with needle shield):
    • For Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis:
      • Adults—The first 3 doses are given by a doctor through an IV placed in one of your veins at Week 0, Week 2, and Week 6. Then starting at Week 10, you may receive 120 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin and every 2 weeks thereafter.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.