What should clinicians know about Uzedy (risperidone subcutaneous LAI)?

Uzedy is a long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation of risperidone.  It is administered subcutaneously (rather than intramuscularly).  Subcutaneous injections are given under the skin using shorter and smaller gauge needles.  Intramuscular injections are given deeper into muscular tissue using longer and larger gauge  needles.  Uzedy is FDA-indicated to treat adults with schizophrenia.  It can be given every 4 or 8 weeks.

Uzedy 

Indication(s)

Schizophrenia

Dosing available as prefilled syringes

50 mg/0.14 mL
75 mg/0.21 mL
100 mg/0.28 mL
125 mg/0.35 mL
150 mg/0.42 mL
200 mg/0.56 mL
250 mg/0.7 mL 

Recommended starting and maintenance dose

To start: Switch from oral daily risperidone. Initiate as either once monthly injection or a once every 2 month injection, the day after the last dose of oral therapy. See table 1 in package insert to determine oral dose.

Drug Metabolizing Enzyme

CYP2D6, CYP3A4

Dosing exclusions

In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, titrate with oral risperidone (up to at least 2 mg daily) before initiating Uzedy.

Loading dose

No loading dose recommended

Oral overlap

No oral supplementation recommended

Establishing tolerability

Storage

Requires refrigeration. May store for up to 90 days in its unopened original packaging at room temperature.

Reconstitution or mixing

Doesn't require reconstitution; but mixing in terms of shaking is required

Injection site

Subcutaneously in the abdomen or back of the upper arm

Injection interval

Every 4 or 8 weeks

Preparation

Allow product to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes.  Uzedy is a solid at refrigerated temperatures and must reach room temperature prior to administration. Flick syringe forcefully three times to move the bubble to the cap. Standing while you do this may help achieve required force.  Holding the syringe up to a light or against a dark backdrop may improve visibility. If the bubble is not at the cap, repeat the flicking until it is.  Bend and snap off the cap and attach the needle.  Do not prime the syringe.   Inject per the package insert instructions.

Administration considerations

Select the injection site: subcutaneously in the abdomen or back of the upper arm.  See package insert for full details.  Pinch at least 1 inch of the selected area.  Insert the needle into subcutaneous tissue.  Release the pinched skin once the needle is in the subcutaneous tissue.  Inject the medication- using a slow, firm, and steady push until the entire dose is delivered.  Inject the entire dose at one time, without interruption.  Resistance will be experienced during dose delivery.  Do not use excessive force in an attempt to deliver Uzedy faster.  Wait 2-3 seconds after the entire dose is delivered before removing the needle.  Slowly pull the needle out from the injection site at the same angle as insertion.

Timing variations

N/A

When a dose is missed

When a dose of Uzedy is missed, administer the next Uzedy injection as soon as possible. See this tip for more information.

REMS

No

Additional information

Patients who are stable on oral risperidone doses lower than 2 mg/day or higher than 5 mg/day may not be candidates for Uzedy.
The medication provides a quick initial release.

Dose Conversion of Oral Risperidone to Uzedy™

Oral Dose

Uzedy Dosage Once Monthly

Uzedy Dosage Once Every 2 Months

2 mg daily of risperidone

50 mg

100 mg

3 mg daily of risperidone

75 mg

150 mg

4 mg daily of risperidone

100 mg

200 mg

5 mg daily of risperidone

125 mg

250 mg

Reference: Teva Neuroscience, Inc. (2023). Uzedy prescribing information

FDA medication label

  • Information on this topic is found in the FDA medication label. Not all information in the FDA medication label is included here, and clinicians should read the entire FDA medication label before making treatment decisions.
  • Medication labels can be found by searching Drugs@FDA at the FDA website. Labels are also available using the Drugs@FDA app for Apple or Android devices. Labels change over time, and the current label should always be consulted.

 

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