FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

UPLIZNA is a prescription medicine used to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive. It is not known if UPLIZNA is safe or effective in children.

UPLIZNA likely works by lowering the level of B cells in the body. B cells help the body’s immune system to work. When you have an autoimmune disease like NMOSD, those same B cells mistakenly target your central nervous system and cause damage. While the exact way UPLIZNA works in NMOSD is unknown, it is believed to reduce the overactive immune response caused by B cells.

UPLIZNA is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, meaning it goes directly into a vein using a needle. The first 2 infusions are given 2 weeks apart. After that, UPLIZNA is given every 6 months.

UPLIZNA is given to you by a healthcare provider. It can be given to you at an infusion center, a hospital, your doctor’s office, or even in your own home. Sometimes medicine given by IV can cause serious infusion reactions, so the healthcare provider will watch you closely. Before treatment with UPLIZNA, your healthcare provider will give you a corticosteroid medicine, an antihistamine, and a fever prevention medicine. If you develop an infusion reaction, your healthcare provider may need to stop or slow down the rate of your infusion and treat your symptoms.

Each infusion takes about 90 minutes. After your infusions, a healthcare provider will continue to watch you for 1 hour for signs of infusion reactions.

Once your infusion is over, you can return to your regular daily activities.

For adults with NMOSD, UPLIZNA is proven to reduce NMOSD-related hospitalizations and attacks that may lead to permanent physical disability. Talk to your doctor to see if UPLIZNA is right for you.

Before receiving your first infusion of UPLIZNA, your doctor will need to perform health screenings, including checking for infections, such as hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

You and your doctor will discuss if you are due for any vaccines. If so, you would need to get the vaccines at least 1 month before your first infusion of UPLIZNA.

UPLIZNA is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, meaning it goes directly into a vein using a needle. The first 2 infusions are given 2 weeks apart. After that, UPLIZNA is given every 6 months.

In patient studies of UPLIZNA, some people experienced mild to moderate infusion reactions. These included headache, nausea, sleepiness, fever, muscle pain, or rash. To manage possible reactions, your doctor will give you medicines to reduce the risk of an infusion reaction. You will be monitored for at least 60 minutes after the infusion.

UPLIZNA has a twice-yearly dosing schedule. The first 2 infusions of UPLIZNA are given 2 weeks apart. After that, UPLIZNA is given every 6 months. Each infusion takes about 90 minutes.

Before receiving UPLIZNA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have or think you have an infection
• Have ever taken, currently take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system or other treatments for NMOSD. These medicines may increase your risk of getting an infection
• Have or have ever had hepatitis B or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus
• Have or have ever had tuberculosis
• Have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should receive any required vaccines at least 4 weeks before you start treatment with UPLIZNA
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if UPLIZNA will harm your unborn baby. Females should use birth control (contraception) during treatment with UPLIZNA and for 6 months after your last infusion of UPLIZNA
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if UPLIZNA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive UPLIZNA

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

It’s also important that your doctor is aware of your current medical information, such as:

• New or worsening symptoms
• Changes in your ability to do daily activities
• Pain or discomfort
• Any other concerns you may have

UPLIZNA should not be taken by people with:

• A previous life-threatening reaction from receiving UPLIZNA
• An active hepatitis B infection
• An active or untreated inactive tuberculosis infection

UPLIZNA should also not be taken by anyone who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant. All women of childbearing age should use contraception while receiving UPLIZNA and for 6 months after the last infusion.

Taking UPLIZNA at the same time as other drugs that suppress your immune system may increase the risk of infection.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

UPLIZNA may cause serious side effects such as infusion reactions, infections, and low blood cell counts. The most common side effects include urinary tract infection and joint pain.

These are not all the possible side effects of UPLIZNA. For more information about possible side effects, please see the Medication Guide.

If you think you’re having a side effect, talk to your doctor or treatment team right away.

The first step to getting started on UPLIZNA is to talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you. If you need tips on getting that conversation started, see the Resources page for some questions to ask. You can print out the Patient Enrollment Form and use it to help you talk to your doctor about NMOSD and UPLIZNA.

Before receiving your first infusion of UPLIZNA, your doctor will need to perform health screenings, including checking for infections such as hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

You and your doctor will discuss if you are due for any vaccines. If so, you must get these at least 1 month before starting UPLIZNA infusions. Certain vaccines, called “live” or “live attenuated” vaccines, are not recommended in people receiving UPLIZNA. Talk to your healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations.

If you have a baby and you were receiving UPLIZNA during pregnancy, it is important to tell your baby’s healthcare provider about your UPLIZNA use so they can decide when your baby should receive any vaccine.

An NMOSD Nurse Advocate can help you better understand NMOSD and how UPLIZNA may help. They can also connect you to other support services and relevant resources. NMOSD Nurse Advocates do not provide individual patient care or medical advice.

You can reach an NMOSD Nurse Advocate by calling 1-833-875-4962, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET.

As soon as your healthcare provider or NMOSD specialist prescribes UPLIZNA and confirms your insurance coverage, you can connect with a dedicated Patient Access Liaison (PAL) as much or as little as you’d like.

Your PAL can support you with non-medical, educational support:

• Understand financial assistance options and the insurance process
• Discuss your new NMOSD treatment appointment schedule and how it fits into your activities and plans
• Coordinate treatment dates, schedule appointments at the infusion center, or change infusion locations
• Connect with other patients taking the same treatment to learn about their experiences and ask questions
• Get information on what to expect before, during, and after your infusions

Once you’re signed up, you’ll get a welcome call from a Patient Access Liaison. After that, you can call, text, or email your PAL whenever you have non-medical questions. You’ll have the same PAL throughout your treatment.

Peer Mentors are patients who have been treated with UPLIZNA. They volunteer their time to share their UPLIZNA treatment journey with new patients. You can connect with your one-on-one Peer Mentor by registering here at any time.

After enrollment, you’ll get an email with instructions to schedule a call with your Peer Mentor. use these instructions to connect and ask away!

Peer Mentors cannot offer medical advice or answer medical questions. For those types of discussions, you will be referred to your healthcare professional or NMOSD specialist.

How much time and contact will I have with my Peer Mentor?

Each call with a Peer Mentor is expected to last about 30 minutes, but there is no time limit. Your call will depend on the depth of the conversation you wish to have with your Peer Mentor.

PREVAIL: Living Beyond the Limits of NMOSD is a monthly live event where you can interact with an NMOSD specialist and an UPLIZNA patient. These events offer the opportunity to ask questions about NMOSD, UPLIZNA, and the treatment journey. You can get a deeper understanding of the science behind NMOSD, disease management, treatment, and more.