Intended for US
CUVITRU is a ready-to-use liquid medicine that is given under the skin (subcutaneously) to treat primary immunodeficiency (PI) in people 2 years and older.
FAQs
To help you understand CUVITRU [Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human)] 20% and primary immunodeficiency (PI), we've provided answers to the most frequently asked questions. As always, be sure to ask your doctor any additional questions you may have.
For specific questions about CUVITRU, be sure to talk to your doctor. To learn more about CUVITRU, read the frequently asked questions below.
CUVITRU is a liquid medicine that contains immunoglobulin (Ig) antibodies, which help protect your body against infection.1
CUVITRU is given under the skin (subcutaneously) to treat primary immunodeficiency (PI) in people 2 years and older.1
CUVITRU contains antibodies from human plasma donated by healthy people. These antibodies help your body fight off bacterial and viral infections.1 Get more facts about CUVITRU.
CUVITRU is given under the skin (subcutaneously). It can be infused at rates up to 60 mL per hour, per site (as tolerated), and volumes up to 60 mL/site, allowing for fewer needlesticks and less infusion time.1 Most of the time, infusions under the skin are given at home by self-infusion or by caregivers after receiving training from a healthcare professional. Only use CUVITRU by yourself after you have been instructed by your healthcare provider. Find out more about getting started with CUVITRU.
To administer your CUVITRU treatment, you’ll need vial(s) of CUVITRU and the following infusion supplies:
This is not a complete list of all the supplies you may need. When infusing, please remember to refer to your Detailed Instructions for Administration for Patients.
Takeda does not prefer, recommend, or attest to using any specific infusion pump or other ancillary device.
The graphic below is an example of what items you can expect to receive from your specialty pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or specialty pharmacist to ensure you’re receiving the supplies necessary to achieve your intended infusion rate.
*To achieve the maximum infusion rate of 60/mL/hour/site with CUVITRU you’ll need a 24-gauge needle.
All subcutaneous needles are small and thin, but they vary in length: 4 millimeters (mm), 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, and 14 mm. Your healthcare team will help determine which needle length is right for your treatment.2
Subcutaneous Needles2
Graphics are for illustrative purposes only.
Store CUVITRU in the refrigerator at 36℉ to 46℉ (2℃ to 8℃) for up to 36 months, or at room temperature, not to exceed 77℉ (25℃), for up to 24 months. Do not return CUVITRU to the refrigerator if you take it out to room temperature. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Do not use past the expiration date. Protect from light. You can use the original CUVITRU containers to protect it from light.1
CUVITRU can cause the following serious reactions1:
Learn more about possible CUVITRU side effects.
Do not use CUVITRU if you have a known history of a severe allergic reaction to immune globulin or other blood products. If you have such a history, discuss this with your healthcare provider to determine if CUVITRU can be given to you. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a condition called selective (or severe) immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency.1
Find out more about CUVITRU safety and possible side effects.
CUVITRU can cause serious side effects. If any of the following problems occur after starting CUVITRU, stop the infusion immediately and contact your doctor or call emergency services1:
Learn more about the potential side effects of CUVITRU.
The following one or more possible reactions may occur at the site of infusion. These generally go away within a few hours, and are less likely after the first few infusions.
The most common side effects with CUVITRU are:
These are not all of the possible side effects with CUVITRU. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away, and learn more about potential CUVITRU side effects.
Your costs for CUVITRU will depend on many factors, including your pharmacy provider and your insurance plan. When you’re prescribed CUVITRU, Takeda Patient Support is dedicated to helping you get the answers, resources, and tools you need. Some of the ways we can help include:
If you have government insurance, we are here to help answer questions about your prescribed Takeda treatment coverage. This includes federal or state insurance such as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid. If you can’t afford your treatment, we may be able to connect you to programs that may help.
*To be eligible, you must be enrolled in Takeda Patient Support and have commercial insurance. Other terms and conditions apply. Call us for more details.
CUVITRU is covered similarly to other treatments of primary immunodeficiency, but coverage may vary by plan. Your infusion provider may be able to help explain out-of-pocket costs. Takeda Patient Support also offers insurance and financial support by walking you through the insurance process step by step. We’ll also help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and what to do next.
The Takeda Patient Support Co-Pay Assistance Program may help you save on CUVITRU.*
The program can cover up to 100% of your out-of-pocket co-pay costs, if you’re eligible. To be eligible for this program, you must:
If you have government insurance, we are here to help answer questions about your prescribed Takeda treatment coverage. This includes federal or state insurance such as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid. If you can’t afford your treatment, we may be able to connect you to programs that may help.
*IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Takeda Patient Support Co-Pay Assistance Program (the Program) is not valid for prescriptions eligible to be reimbursed, in whole or in part, by Medicaid, Medicare (including Medicare Part D), Tricare, Medigap, VA, DoD, or other federal or state programs (including any medical or state prescription drug assistance programs). No claim for reimbursement of the out-of-pocket expense amount covered by the Program shall be submitted to any third-party payer, whether public or private. The Program cannot be combined with any other rebate/coupon, free trial, or similar offer. Copayment assistance under the Program is not transferable. The Program only applies in the United States, including Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, and does not apply where prohibited by law, taxed, or restricted. This does not constitute health insurance. Void where use is prohibited by your insurance provider. If your insurance situation changes you must notify the Program immediately at 1-855-268-1825. Coverage of certain administration charges will not apply for patients residing in states where it is prohibited by law. Takeda reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend the Program at any time without notice.
Learn more about primary immunodeficiency and connect with someone that is living with PI or has a loved one with PI. Go to MyIgSource.com or call 1-855-250-5111.
If you have questions related to PI resources or insurance, you may find the answers here. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you don't find what you need.
Many organizations have started offering patient assistance programs. To learn more about them in detail, you can visit their specific websites. Additionally, the following website intermittently offers copay assistance or guidance from time to time:
The Immune Deficiency Foundation has a number of resources that are available for people living with PI. They have local events and every other year in June hold a national conference. The next national conference will be held in 2021 and will feature some of the leading experts in PI. In the off years, they hold family retreat weekends. The Immune Deficiency Foundation is available to help in many ways. Register with them on primaryimmune.org.
The Jeffrey Modell Foundation also has a number of resources that are available to people living with PI. Additionally, they are committed to empowering the community with "Calls to Action," which are meant to bring the global medical community together to help enhance early diagnosis with access to equal and appropriate treatments for all patients around the world. Learn more here.
There are 2 places we recommend:
World PI Week aims to raise awareness and diagnosis of PI on a global level. On their website, you can learn all about PI and the events that occur all across the world during World PI Week. World PI Week was founded by a variety of organizations, including the Immune Deficiency Foundation and Jeffrey Modell Foundation.
Additionally, the Jeffrey Modell Foundation is dedicated to global awareness of PI, physician education, research, patient support, and advocacy. In 2004, they created the first-ever public service advertising (PSA) campaign for primary immunodeficiency to coincide with their focus of public awareness and physician education. Since then, they have continued to expand the reach of the campaign to help bring knowledge to both members of the PI community and the public. To learn more about the Jeffrey Modell Foundation's PSA campaign, please visit www.info4pi.org/wjmf/psa-campaign.
Learn more about primary immunodeficiency and connect with someone that is living with PI or has a loved one with PI. Go to MyIgSource.com or call 1-855-250-5111.
When you’re prescribed a Takeda treatment, our specialists are here for you. They’ll review your coverage and help you understand what financial options may be available. Our specialists can walk you through the insurance process step by step. They’ll help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and what to do next. Because our goal is to help make your journey a little easier.
NEED ASSISTANCE?
Our support specialists are never more than a tap or a call away—1-855-268-1825, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ET.
The Immune Deficiency Foundation has a great handbook on how to handle insurance issues and questions. Search for the IDF Health Insurance Toolkit in the Patient Insurance Center.
As always, your insurer and your insurance policy can affect coverage for any drugs your doctor prescribes, including treatments that you receive on a regular basis, such as Ig. Many insurance companies have a list of prescription medications that they will cover under the benefit plan. This list is called a formulary.
It’s important to know if the drugs you take are on your insurance carrier's formulary. Check the formulary by visiting your insurance company's website, and see if the drug your doctor prescribes is listed. Also look to see if the list includes the type of drug you receive, as well as the specific brand your doctor recommends. Sometimes insurance formularies will list only some of the brands that are available for a medication.
If your brand of medication is (or is not) on the formulary, it can affect how much money you or your family will have to pay for the drug as out-of-pocket costs or co-pays.
When you’re prescribed CUVITRU, our Takeda Patient Support specialists are here for you. They’ll help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and what to do next. Because our goal is to help make your journey a little easier.
When it comes to immunoglobulin (Ig) treatment, each brand of Ig is considered to be a different treatment, because there are important differences in how each brand of these plasma-derived products is made. As a result, different brands of Ig treatment are not considered to be interchangeable (or identical), according to medical experts.1
Some insurance carriers have begun limiting access to specific brands of Ig, but many of these insurers also have exception policies in place that may allow continued access to the Ig brand your physician recommends.
When you’re prescribed CUVITRU, our Takeda Patient Support specialists are here for you. They’ll help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and what to do next. Because our goal is to help make your journey a little easier. Visit TakedaPatientSupport.com to learn more.
If your insurance plan has special rules for brand-name drugs, you or your family should make sure your doctor is aware of them. For example, tell your doctor if your prescription for Ig needs to be worded in a special way to make sure you get exactly what the doctor wants you to receive. Depending on your state of residence, the doctor may need to write "Dispense as written (DAW)," "Brand necessary," or other statements on the prescription to ensure that the pharmacy dispenses the exact brand of Ig that was prescribed.
The Patient & Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders, developed by the Immune Deficiency Foundation, devotes an entire chapter to health insurance. A copy of the 5th edition of the handbook can be downloaded here.