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How is anemia in beta (β) thalassemia (BT) treated?

Understanding the options available to help manage the symptoms can help prepare you to talk to your doctor.

Photo of a hypothetical patient with anemia in beta thalassemia (BT) sitting in a doctors office wearing a blue button down speaking to a doctor wearing a white lab coat and stethoscope.

Anemia is usually treated with red blood cell (RBC) transfusions

People with BT are either:

  • Transfusion dependent (TD): rely on transfusions
  • Non-transfusion dependent (NTD): only need transfusions at certain times

Are there other treatments for anemia in BT?

Another type of medicine for people with transfusion-dependent BT is an erythroid maturation agent (EMA), which helps RBCs to mature.

Learn more about REBLOZYL, the first and only EMA.

Talking to your doctor about anemia in BT

You know your body better than anyone. To ensure your healthcare team is aware of how you’re doing, talk openly about how you’re feeling. Share how you feel with your healthcare team so, together, you can make decisions that are best for you.

Here are some questions you can use to start the conversation:

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How do I know if my current anemia treatment is working as well as it should?

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What are my treatment options?

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What are the benefits and risks of these treatment options?

Photo of a hypothetical patient with anemia in beta thalassemia (BT) from behind, wearing a white top speaking to a doctor wearing a white lab coat and stethoscope.

Knowing your options and talking with your healthcare team can help you manage anemia.

Important Facts About REBLOZYL®
(luspatercept-aamt)

This is a summary of important information that you need to know about REBLOZYL. Your healthcare team can work with you to help answer any questions you may have about this medication. Keep this information in a safe place so you can refer to it before and during your treatment.

Look out for the following icons as you read:

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Talk to your healthcare team

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Call a healthcare provider right away

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Helpful information to remember

What is REBLOZYL?

Prescription medicine injection

REBLOZYL is a prescription medicine for injection, and is used to treat anemia (low red blood cells) in adults with:

β (beta) thalassemia who need regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.

MDS who may need regular RBC transfusions and have never received another type of medicine called an erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA).

MDS: myelodysplastic syndromes

MDS-RS or MDS/MPN-RS-T who need 2 or more RBC units over 8 weeks and have not responded well to an ESA.

MDS-RS:  myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts

MDS/MPN-RS-T:  myelodysplastic syndromes or myeloproliferative neoplasms with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis

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REBLOZYL is not a substitute for RBC transfusions in people who need immediate treatment for anemia.

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It is not known if REBLOZYL is safe or effective in children under 18 years of age.

What should I discuss with my healthcare team before starting treatment?

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Talk to your healthcare team about all of your health problems and risk factors, including if you:

  • have or have had blood clots
  • take hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
  • have had your spleen removed (splenectomy)
  • smoke
  • have or have had high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • have a history of extramedullary hematopoietic (EMH) masses
  • have or have had enlarged spleen or liver
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Talk to your healthcare team about all the medicines you are taking, including:

  • prescription medicines
  • over-the-counter medicines
  • vitamins
  • herbal supplements

These are not all the topics you should discuss with your healthcare team. Ask your healthcare team about anything you may be unsure about before starting treatment.

What should I discuss with my healthcare team about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding?

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Talk to your healthcare team if:

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You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant — REBLOZYL may harm your unborn baby

If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare team should do a pregnancy test before you start receiving REBLOZYL. You should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after your last dose of REBLOZYL. Talk to your healthcare team about birth control methods that you can use with REBLOZYL.

Call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with REBLOZYL.

REBLOZYL may affect your ability to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare team if fertility problems are a concern for you.

Breastfeeding

You are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of REBLOZYL. It is not known if REBLOZYL passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare team about the best way to feed your baby during this time.

What are the serious side effects of REBLOZYL?

A serious side effect is a side effect that can sometimes become life-threatening and can lead to death. They may happen any time during treatment or even after your treatment has ended. You may experience more than one side effect at the same time.

Blood clots (thrombosis/thromboembolism) — Blood clots in the arteries, veins, brain, and lungs have happened in people with β-thalassemia during treatment with REBLOZYL. The risk of blood clots may be higher in people who have had their spleen removed or who take hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills.

Call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

  • chest pain
  • trouble breathing or shortness of breath
  • pain in your leg, with or without swelling
  • a cold or pale arm or leg
  • sudden numbness or weakness that is short-term or continues to happen over a long period of time, especially on one side of the body
  • severe headache or confusion
  • sudden problems with vision, speech, or balance (such as trouble speaking, difficulty walking, or dizziness)

High blood pressure (hypertension) — REBLOZYL may cause an increase in your blood pressure. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before you receive your REBLOZYL dose. Your healthcare provider may prescribe you medicine to treat high blood pressure or increase the dose of medicine you already take to treat high blood pressure, if you develop high blood pressure during treatment with REBLOZYL.

Extramedullary Hematopoietic (EMH) Masses — EMH masses have happened in people with beta thalassemia during treatment with REBLOZYL. You may have a higher risk for developing EMH masses if you have a history of EMH masses, have had your spleen removed, have or have had enlarged spleen or liver, or have low hemoglobin levels. Your healthcare provider will monitor you before you start and during treatment with REBLOZYL. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms:

  • severe pain in the back
  • numbness or weakness or loss of voluntary movement in feet, legs, hands or arms
  • loss of bowel and bladder control

What are the most common side effects of REBLOZYL?

The most common side effects of REBLOZYL include:

  • tiredness
  • headache
  • back, joint, muscle, or bone pain
  • joint pain
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • cough
  • stomach (abdominal) pain
  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your hands, legs, or feet
  • high blood pressure
  • allergic reactions

These are not all of the possible side effects.

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Talk to your healthcare team for more information about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

How will I receive REBLOZYL?

Prescription medicine injection

REBLOZYL is given as a subcutaneous injection (under your skin) in the upper arm, thigh, or stomach by your healthcare provider. The recommended starting dose of REBLOZYL is 1 mg/kg, once every 3 weeks. Work with your healthcare team to determine the right treatment plan for you.

REBLOZYL is a type of medicine called an erythroid maturation agent (EMA), and comes in single-dose vials that need to be prepared for injection by a healthcare professional.

Active ingredients: luspatercept-aamt

Inactive ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, polysorbate 80, sucrose, and tri-sodium citrate dihydrate

Tube blood

Before each REBLOZYL injection, your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your hemoglobin and review your transfusion record to see how your anemia is responding to REBLOZYL. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose or stop treatment depending on how you respond to REBLOZYL.

What if I delayed or missed a dose?

Call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule your next appointment if you delayed or missed a dose. Your healthcare provider will give your dose of REBLOZYL as soon as possible. Your treatment with REBLOZYL will continue as prescribed, with at least 3 weeks between doses.

Information

For more information, please see Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for REBLOZYL.Talk to your healthcare team for more information about this medication.

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REBLOZYL® is licensed from Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates.

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