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IMMUNOTHERAPY
Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults with generalized myasthenia gravis.
These insights are based on 847 comments about Vyvgart from MGteam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Vyvgart works by blocking FcRn, a protein that helps maintain levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the body. Blocking FcRn frees up IgG antibodies to be broken down, leading to lower amounts of IgG antibodies circulating in the blood. In generalized myasthenia gravis, some harmful IgG antibodies attack the connection between nerves and muscles. Vyvgart may help reduce the amount of harmful IgG antibodies and may improve muscle strength.
Doctors prescribe Vyvgart when someone has generalized myasthenia gravis and is anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive. The medication is given as a one-hour intravenous infusion, which means it goes into a vein, once a week for four weeks. Later treatment cycles are given based on a doctor’s evaluation.
These insights are based on 847 comments about Vyvgart from MGteam members.Members who use Vyvgart often say it helps to pay close attention to timing, side effects, and how symptoms change between cycles. Many also stress staying in touch with a neurologist who has experience treating MG, especially if symptoms return, infections come up, or insurance and scheduling issues delay treatment.
Talk to your doctor if symptoms return between cycles.
“When I first started Vyvgart, I was doing the 50-day cycle, doing four weeks of infusions, with four weeks off. I was good for two weeks too, and then started falling apart. My neurologist got me switched to two weeks on, two weeks off.”
Watch for infections, and tell your doctor about them.
“The only drawback is that I have to be so concerned about my immune system. I wear a mask whenever I go out of the house.”
Ask about side effects or infusion reactions that concern you.
“The first infusion worked wonderfully. The second, eight weeks later, resulted in rapid heart rate, flushing, and severe pain in both kidneys, whereupon the infusion was terminated.”
Plan ahead for insurance, cost, and infusion logistics.
“I worked with my neurology team to find an infusion center, as the hospital I go to was booking out almost five months to even get me in for the infusions.”
Connect with others who understand life with myasthenia gravis. Join MGteam for free.
In clinical studies of Vyvgart for generalized myasthenia gravis in adults who are AChR antibody positive, the most common side effects occurred in about 6 percent to 33 percent of people. These included:
Vyvgart can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Argenx, the manufacturer of Vyvgart, offers My Vyvgart Path. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0. If you have government insurance or no insurance, the website offers information on other ways to save on your prescription.
The program also offers support from a nurse case manager, plus help navigating insurance, prior authorization, and appeals. To learn more, visit the Vyvgart site or call 833-898-4278.
Evaluate the need to get age-appropriate vaccines before starting a new treatment cycle of Vyvgart. Because Vyvgart lowers IgG levels, live vaccines are not recommended during treatment.
Do not take Vyvgart if you have had a serious allergic reaction to efgartigimod alfa-fcab or any of its ingredients. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to efgartigimod alfa-fcab or any ingredients in Vyvgart.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
Let your doctor know if you have had recent infections in the past. Your doctor may decide to delay a dose of Vyvgart until an infection clears.
If you miss a scheduled infusion, Vyvgart may be given up to three days after the scheduled time. After that, you should go back to your original dosing schedule to finish the treatment cycle.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Vyvgart, talk with your doctor. A pregnancy registry is also available for people exposed to Vyvgart during pregnancy.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Vyvgart?
In a study of adults with generalized myasthenia gravis who were AChR antibody positive, around 68 percent of people taking Vyvgart had a meaningful improvement in daily function during the first treatment cycle, compared with about 30 percent taking a placebo (an inactive treatment). A meaningful improvement meant at least a two-point drop on scale that measured the impact of myasthenia gravis on activities of daily living. The improvement lasted at least four straight weeks. On a muscle weakness scale, around 63 percent of people taking Vyvgart had a meaningful response, compared with about 14 percent taking a placebo.
How long does Vyvgart take to work for generalized myasthenia gravis?
In the study, some people saw meaningful improvement within one week after the last infusion in a treatment cycle. Vyvgart is given once weekly for four weeks in a cycle.
How often is Vyvgart taken for generalized myasthenia gravis?
Vyvgart is given as an intravenous infusion over one hour once a week for four weeks in one treatment cycle. Later treatment cycles are based on clinical evaluation. In the study, new cycles were given no sooner than 28 days after the last infusion of the previous cycle. If a scheduled infusion is missed, it may be given up to three days late, then the original schedule is resumed.
Should I take Vyvgart if I have an infection or need vaccines for generalized myasthenia gravis?
Vyvgart may increase the risk of infection. If you have an active infection, treatment should be delayed until it has resolved. During treatment, people should be monitored for signs and symptoms of infection, and if a serious infection happens, treatment may be stopped until it resolves. Before starting a new treatment cycle, any age-appropriate vaccines should be considered. Live vaccines are not recommended during treatment.
On MGteam, people share their experiences with myasthenia gravis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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