Afamelanotide (Subcutaneous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 10, 2022.
Available Dosage Forms:
- Implant
Therapeutic Class: Protectant, Dermatological
Uses for afamelanotide
Afamelanotide implant is used to increase pain free light exposure in patients with a history of phototoxic reactions from erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). EPP is a rare inherited disease caused by a genetic mutation that makes your skin extremely sensitive to light. Symptoms include redness, pain, swelling, and tingling sensation of the skin.
Afamelatonide works by stimulating the production of eumelanin pigment in the skin to block the penetration of light through the skin and help prevent painful skin reactions.
Afamelanotide is to be given only by a doctor.
Before using afamelanotide
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 afamelanotide, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to afamelanotide 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 afamelanotide implant in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of afamelanotide implant in the elderly.
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.
Proper use of afamelanotide
A doctor will give you afamelanotide. The afamelanotide implant will be placed under your skin above your hip bone once every 2 months, before and during periods of high sunlight exposure, (eg, from spring to autumn).
You will be monitored 30 minutes after receiving the implant for any allergic reactions caused by the medicine.
Call your doctor right away if you feel the implant is not in the proper place.