Setmelanotide (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 12, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Imcivree

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Central Nervous System Agent

Uses for setmelanotide

Setmelanotide injection is used to help lose weight and keep the weight off in patients with obesity caused by proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency. Your doctor will perform a test to check for POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency before you use setmelanotide.

Setmelanotide is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using setmelanotide

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For setmelanotide, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to setmelanotide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of setmelanotide injection in children younger than 6 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of setmelanotide injection in the geriatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of setmelanotide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Depression, or history of—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

• General obesity or
• Kidney disease, moderate, severe, or end-stage or
• Obesity caused by other genetic conditions—Use is not recommended in patients with these conditions.

Proper use of setmelanotide

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you setmelanotide. It is given as a shot under your s...