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Indications

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Patient Information

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INDICATIONS (2 of 2)

REBLOZYL® (luspatercept-aamt) is a prescription medicine used to treat anemia (low red blood cells) in adults with beta thalassemia who need regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.

REBLOZYL is not for use as a substitute for RBC transfusions in people who need immediate treatment for anemia.

It is not known if REBLOZYL is safe or effective in children.

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Hypothetical patient with anemia in beta thalassemia (BT)
Hypothetical patient with anemia in beta thalassemia (BT)

Anemia plays a role in beta (β) thalassemia (BT)

Anemia plays a role in beta (β) thalassemia (BT)

Anemia is one of the most common symptoms of BT and one that you may feel the most. Your anemia may make you feel tired or weak and can impact your ability to do everyday tasks and activities. It can also have long-term impacts on your health and well-being.

How does anemia in BT happen?

Anemia is a condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells (RBC). This means your blood has lower than normal hemoglobin (Hgb) levels. Hgb is an important part of an RBC. It is the part of the cell that brings oxygen to your body and organs.

Immature red blood cell developing into a mature red blood cell

In BT, ineffective erythropoiesis (IE) leads to RBCs piling up in your bone marrow. You can learn more about IE here.

Immature red blood cells piling up in bone marrow and unable to enter the bloodstream to do their job

RBCs pile up when they are not able to fully mature and enter the bloodstream to do their job. This can lead to your body making too few mature, working RBCs that also may not live as long. This can lead to anemia.

Bloodstream Bloodstream

You may require more or fewer RBC transfusions depending on the severity of your BT. If you have questions about this, be sure to talk to your healthcare team. They can help you identify next steps and potential treatment options.

What are the possible symptoms of anemia associated with BT?

Common symptoms of anemia include:

  • Problems with thinking or memory
  • Feeling tired
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Headaches
  • Shortness of breath

There are also effects of anemia associated with BT that you may not be able to see. These include:

  • Enlarged spleen
  • Brittle bones, meaning they can break easily
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat or stroke
  • Complications from iron overload

Explore how REBLOZYL can help with anemia due to BT.

Hypothetical patient with anemia in beta thalassemia (BT)

Why does anemia in BT matter?

People living with BT experience anemia. This can impact life now, and in the future. Some symptoms may be easily seen or felt, while others aren’t as obvious.

Anemia can have an impact on your daily life and affect your overall health. Living with anemia symptoms can be frustrating and discouraging. They can get in the way of your daily activities. You may feel too tired to go to the store or too weak to complete your usual tasks.

Having anemia can also cause problems over time and may impact your future health. When anemia is not treated, it can have negative impacts on your organs. It may affect how well your intestines, heart, and lungs work. It can even cause your spleen to become enlarged, which may mean you need to have your spleen removed through surgery. This is called a splenectomy.

This may be alarming to hear. That’s why paying attention to new and changing symptoms of anemia is an important part of managing BT.

Important Facts About
REBLOZYL®

(luspatercept-aamt)

This is a summary of important information that you need to know about REBLOZYL. Your healthcare team can work with you to help answer any questions you may have about this medication. Keep this information in a safe place so you can refer to it before and during your treatment.

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Helpful information to remember

What is REBLOZYL?

REBLOZYL is a prescription medicine for injection, and is used to treat anemia (low red blood cells) in adults with:

β (beta) thalassemia who need regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.

MDS-RS or MDS/MPN-RS-T who need regular RBC transfusions and have not responded well to or cannot receive another type of medicine called an erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA).

MDS-RS: myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts

MDS/MPN-RS-T: myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative neoplasms with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis

REBLOZYL is not a substitute for RBC transfusions in people who need immediate treatment for anemia.

It is not known if REBLOZYL is safe or effective in children under 18 years of age.

What should I discuss with my healthcare team before starting treatment?

Talk to your healthcare team about all of your health problems and risk factors, including if you:

  • have or have had blood clots
  • take hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
  • have had your spleen removed (splenectomy)
  • smoke
  • have or have had high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • have a history of extramedullary hematopoietic (EMH) masses
  • have or have had enlarged spleen or liver

Talk to your healthcare team about all the medicines you are taking, including:

  • prescription medicines
  • over-the-counter medicines
  • vitamins
  • herbal supplements

These are not all the topics you should discuss with your healthcare team. Ask your healthcare team about anything you may be unsure about before starting treatment.

What should I discuss with my healthcare team about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding?

Talk to your healthcare team if:

  • You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant — REBLOZYL may harm your unborn baby

    If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare team should do a pregnancy test before you start receiving REBLOZYL. You should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after your last dose of REBLOZYL. Talk to your healthcare team about birth control methods that you can use with REBLOZYL.

    • Call your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with REBLOZYL.

    REBLOZYL may affect your ability to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare team if fertility problems are a concern for you.

  • You are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

    Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of REBLOZYL. It is not known if REBLOZYL passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare team about the best way to feed your baby during this time.

What are the serious side effects of REBLOZYL?

A serious side effect is a side effect that can sometimes become life-threatening and can lead to death. They may happen any time during treatment or even after your treatment has ended. You may experience more than one side effect at the same time.

Blood clots (thrombosis/thromboembolism) — Blood clots in the arteries, veins, brain, and lungs have happened in people with β-thalassemia during treatment with REBLOZYL. The risk of blood clots may be higher in people who have had their spleen removed or who take hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills.

Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

  • chest pain
  • trouble breathing or shortness of breath
  • pain in your leg, with or without swelling
  • a cold or pale arm or leg
  • sudden numbness or weakness that is short-term or continues to happen over a long period of time, especially on one side of the body
  • severe headache or confusion
  • sudden trouble with seeing, speaking, balancing, walking, or dizziness

High blood pressure (hypertension) — REBLOZYL may cause an increase in your blood pressure. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before you receive your REBLOZYL dose. Your healthcare provider may prescribe you medicine to treat high blood pressure or increase the dose of medicine you already take to treat high blood pressure, if you develop high blood pressure during treatment with REBLOZYL.

Extramedullary Hematopoietic (EMH) Masses — EMH masses have happened in people with beta thalassemia during treatment with REBLOZYL. You may have a higher risk for developing EMH masses if you have a history of EMH masses, have had your spleen removed, have or have had enlarged spleen or liver, or have low hemoglobin levels. Your healthcare provider will monitor you before you start and during treatment with REBLOZYL. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms:

  • severe pain in the back
  • numbness or weakness or loss of voluntary movement in feet, legs, hands or arms
  • loss of bowel and bladder control

What are the most common side effects of REBLOZYL?

The most common side effects of REBLOZYL include:

  • feeling tired
  • muscle or bone pain
  • dizziness
  • diarrhea
  • stomach (abdominal) pain
  • allergic reactions
  • headache
  • joint pain (arthralgia)
  • nausea
  • cough
  • trouble breathing

These are not all of the possible side effects.

Talk to your healthcare team for more information about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or calling 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088.

How will I receive REBLOZYL?

REBLOZYL is given as a subcutaneous injection (under your skin) in the upper arm, thigh, or stomach by your healthcare provider. The recommended starting dose of REBLOZYL is 1 mg/kg, once every 3 weeks. Work with your healthcare team to determine the right treatment plan for you.

REBLOZYL is a type of medicine called an erythroid maturation agent (EMA), and comes in single-dose vials that need to be prepared for injection by a healthcare professional.

Active ingredients: luspatercept-aamt

Inactive ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, polysorbate 80, sucrose, and tri-sodium citrate dihydrate

Before each REBLOZYL injection, your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your hemoglobin and review your transfusion record to see how your anemia is responding to REBLOZYL. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose or stop treatment depending on how you respond to REBLOZYL.

What if I delayed or missed a dose?

Call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule your next appointment if you delayed or missed a dose. Your healthcare provider will give your dose of REBLOZYL as soon as possible. Your treatment with REBLOZYL will continue as prescribed, with at least 3 weeks between doses.

For more information, please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for REBLOZYL. Talk to your healthcare team for more information about this medication.