Afamelanotide
PrescriptionBrand names: SCENESSE
About This Medication
Descripton SCENESSE (afamelanotide) implant is a controlled-release dosage form for subcutaneous administration. Afamelanotide is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1-R) agonist. The active ingredient afamelanotide acetate is a synthetic peptide containing 13 amino acids with molecular formula C 78 H 111 N 21 O 19 •xC 2 H 4 O 2 (3 ≤ x ≤ 4). The molecular weight of afamelanotide is 1646.85 (anhydrous free base). Afamelanotide acetate has the following structure: Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-(D)Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH 2 • xCH 3 COOH. Afamelanotide is a white to off-white powder, freely soluble in water. Each SCENESSE implant contains 16 mg of afamelanotide (equivalent to 18 mg of afamelanotide acetate), and 15.3-19.5 mg of poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide). SCENESSE implant is a single, solid white to off-white, bioresorbable and sterile rod approximately 1.7 cm in length and 1.45 mm in diameter. The implant core comprises of the drug substance admixed with a poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) bioresorbable copolymer.
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength |
|---|---|
| Afamelanotide | - |
Indications & Usage
Dosage & Administration
Side Effects Overview
Warnings & Precautions
Hypersensitivity Skin Monitoring Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with postmarket use of SCENESSE. Warn patients of the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, initiate appropriate therapy and remove the SCENESSE implant if needed [ see Dosage and Administration ]. The patient should not receive any further treatment with SCENESSE. [ see Contraindications ]. SCENESSE may lead to generalized increased skin pigmentation and darkening of pre-existing nevi and ephelides because of its pharmacologic effect. A full body skin examination (twice yearly) is recommended to monitor pre-existing and new skin pigmentary lesions. Hypersensitivity: Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, initiate appropriate therapy and remove the SCENESSE implant if needed. The patient should not receive any further treatment with SCENESSE . Skin Monitoring: May induce darkening of pre-existing nevi and ephelides due to its pharmacological effect. A full body skin examination (twice yearly) is recommended to monitor pre-existing nevi and new skin pigmentary lesions .
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS SCENESSE is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to afamelanotide or to any of the excipients in SCENESSE . Known hypersensitivity to afamelanotide or to any of the excipients in SCENESSE .
Frequently Asked Questions
SCENESSE ® is indicated to increase pain free light exposure in adult patients with a history of phototoxic reactions from erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). SCENESSE is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1-R) agonist indicated to increase pain free light exposure in adult patients with a history of phototoxic reactions from erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)
Important Dosage and Administration Information SCENESSE should be administered by a health care professional. All healthcare professionals should be proficient in the subcutaneous implantation procedure and have completed the training program provided by CLINUVEL prior to administration of the SCENESSE implant [ see Dosage and Administration ]. Additional information, including a video, is available at http://www.clinuvel.com/US-HCP. The additional information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Insert a single SCENESSE implant subcutaneously above the anterior supra-iliac crest every …
Hypersensitivity Skin Monitoring Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with postmarket use of SCENESSE. Warn patients of the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, initiate appropriate therapy and remove the SCENESSE implant if needed [ see Dosage and Administration ]. The patient should not receive any further treatment with SCENESSE. [ see Contraindications ]. SCENESSE may lead to generalized increased skin pigmentation and darkening of pre-existing nevi and ephelides because of its …
CONTRAINDICATIONS SCENESSE is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to afamelanotide or to any of the excipients in SCENESSE . Known hypersensitivity to afamelanotide or to any of the excipients in SCENESSE .
Afamelanotide is a prescription medication. You will need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Similar Injection Products
Browse all Injection products →References & Data Sources
- • DailyMed — Afamelanotide drug label (National Library of Medicine)
- • openFDA — Afamelanotide label data (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
- • RxNorm — RXCUI 2262254 (NLM Normalized Drug Names)
- • NDC Directory — Afamelanotide (FDA National Drug Code)
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.
Data sources: DailyMed (NLM), openFDA, MFDS