Burdened with managing oral levodopa ≥4 times daily
Experiencing poorly controlled motor fluctuations that limit their function
Troubled by motor fluctuations throughout the night (ie, feeling frozen) and waking up "Off"
*In the pivotal study, 74 patients were treated with VYALEV; of these, 43 patients were classified as Hoehn & Yahr stage 2 and 20 patients as stage 3.2
VYALEV Patient Stories: Hear Janice’s Story
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The Hoehn & Yahr scale describes the stages of Parkinson’s disease progression2,3†‡
Stage 0
No signs of disease
Stage 1
Unilateral involvement with only minimal or no functional impairment
Stage 2
Bilateral or midline involvement without impairment of balance
Stage 3
First signs of impaired righting reflexes
Stage 4
Severe disability; still able to walk or stand unassisted
Stage 5
Confinement to bed or wheelchair unless assisted
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†Hoehn & Yahr stage was measured in the “On” state.
‡While 86% of patients were in Hoehn & Yahr stages 2 or 3, patients in all stages were enrolled in the study.2
§Percentage of patients in each Hoehn & Yahr stage (N=141): Stage 0=1%; Stage 1=9%; Stage 2=62%; Stage 3=24%; Stage 4=3%; Stage 5=1%.2
CD=carbidopa; COMT=catechol-O-methyltransferase; IR=immediate release; LD=levodopa.
VYALEV is indicated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD).
VYALEV® (foscarbidopa/foslevodopa) is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking or have taken (within 2 weeks) a nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, as concurrent use can cause hypertension.
Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence: Patients treated with levodopa (the active metabolite of VYALEV) have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on levodopa, some perceived that they had no warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed they were alert immediately prior to the event (sleep attack). Some of these events have been reported more than one year after initiation of treatment. For this reason, prescribers should continually assess VYALEV-treated patients for drowsiness or sleepiness. Advise patients about the potential to develop drowsiness with VYALEV and ask about factors that may increase risk of somnolence. Consider discontinuing VYALEV in patients who report significant daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation. If VYALEV is continued, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm if the patient becomes somnolent. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living.
Hallucinations/Psychosis: There is an increased risk for hallucinations and psychosis in patients taking VYALEV. Hallucinations associated with levodopa may present shortly after the initiation of therapy and may be responsive to dose reduction of VYALEV or other concomitantly administered medications. Patients with a major psychotic disorder should not be treated with VYALEV.
Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors: Patients may experience intense urges while on VYALEV. Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to ask patients or their caregivers specifically about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges while on VYALEV. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing VYALEV if a patient develops such urges.
Infusion Site Reactions and Infections: VYALEV can cause infusion site reactions and infections. Various types of reactions at the infusion site have been reported, including erythema, pain, edema, nodules, warmth, swelling, and others. The most frequent infusion site infection reported was cellulitis. If an infection is suspected at the infusion site, the cannula should be removed. In such a case, either a new cannula should be placed at a new infusion site or, in the event of a prolonged interruption, prescribe an oral carbidopa/levodopa product until the patient is able to resume VYALEV.
Withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia and confusion, a symptom complex that resembles neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by elevated temperature, muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability), with no other obvious etiology, has been reported in association with rapid dose reduction, withdrawal, or change in dopaminergic therapy. Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction of VYALEV.
Dyskinesia: VYALEV may cause or exacerbate dyskinesias, which may require a dose reduction of VYALEV or other medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Seizures: Treatment with carbidopa/levodopa (the active metabolites of VYALEV) may contribute to reduced vitamin B6 levels and higher doses of carbidopa/levodopa may increase the risk. Seizures associated with vitamin B6 deficiency have been reported in patients taking carbidopa/levodopa. Evaluate vitamin B6 levels prior to initiation of VYALEV and during treatment or if symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency are identified and supplement with vitamin B6 as necessary.
Cardiovascular Ischemic Events: Myocardial infarction and arrhythmia were reported in patients taking carbidopa/levodopa (the active metabolites of VYALEV). Ask patients about symptoms of ischemic heart disease and arrhythmia, especially those with a history of myocardial infarction or cardiac arrhythmias.
Glaucoma: Monitor patients with glaucoma after starting VYALEV as it may cause increased intraocular pressure.
The most common adverse reactions for VYALEV that occurred in ≥3% of patients, and at least 2% difference from oral immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa, were infusion/catheter site reactions, infusion/catheter site infections, hallucinations, dyskinesia, On and Off phenomenon, balance disorder, constipation, peripheral swelling, agitation, insomnia, psychotic disorder, and dyspnea.
VYALEV (foscarbidopa and foslevodopa) injection for subcutaneous use is available in a 120 mg foscarbidopa and 2,400 mg foslevodopa per 10 mL (12 mg foscarbidopa and 240 mg foslevodopa per mL) solution.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
US-VYAL-260137
References
1. VYALEV [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc. 2. Soileau MJ, Aldred J, Budur K, et al. Safety and efficacy of continuous subcutaneous foslevodopa-foscarbidopa in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease: a randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2022;21(12):1099-1109. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00400-8 3. Hoehn MM, Yahr MD. Parkinsonism: onset, progression, and mortality. Neurology. 1967;17(5):427-442. doi:10.1212/wnl.17.5.427 4. Data on file. AbbVie Inc. ABVRRTI75558.
