Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Patients treated with SEPHIENCE should be on a dietary protein and a Phe-restricted diet. ( 2.1 ) Administer SEPHIENCE orally once daily with food. ( 2.2 ) The recommended starting dosage of SEPHIENCE is: ( 2.2 ) Age SEPHIENCE (mg/kg) per day Less than 6 months 7.5 mg/kg 6 months to less than 1 year 15 mg/kg 1 year to less than 2 years 30 mg/kg 2 years and older 60 mg/kg Important Administration Information: prepare SEPHIENCE calculated daily doses of < 1,000 mg as a liquid mixture (25 mg/mL), and administer exact prescribed dose volume (mL). ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) See full prescribing information for complete preparation and administration instructions. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Important Recommendation Prior to SEPHIENCE Treatment Treatment with SEPHIENCE should be directed by physicians knowledgeable in the management of PKU. Biochemical response to SEPHIENCE treatment cannot generally be pre-determined by laboratory testing (e.g., molecular testing), and should be determined through a therapeutic evaluation of SEPHIENCE [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Obtain baseline blood Phe concentration before initiating treatment. All patients with PKU who are treated with SEPHIENCE should be on a dietary protein and Phe-restricted diet that is based on blood Phe levels. Patients should undergo regular dietary assessments, including protein and Phe intake, by their healthcare provider [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage and Administration The recommended starting dosage of SEPHIENCE is based on the patient’s age and is administered orally once daily (see Table 1 ). Administer SEPHIENCE with food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Table 1: Recommended Starting Dosage of SEPHIENCE * in Pediatric and Adult Patients * For calculated daily doses less than 1,000 mg, the final concentration of prepared SEPHIENCE liquid mixture is 25 mg/mL [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] . ** 60 mg/kg is the maximum daily dose for all patients. Age SEPHIENCE (mg/kg) per day ** Less than 6 months 7.5 mg/kg 6 months to less than 1 year 15 mg/kg 1 year to less than 2 years 30 mg/kg 2 years and older 60 mg/kg Evaluation Period Dosage Titration in Patients Less than 2 Years of Age After initiating treatment at the starting dosage by age ( Table 1 ), check blood Phe levels to determine response to treatment within 2 weeks. If blood Phe does not decrease, SEPHIENCE dosage may be titrated incrementally based on blood Phe levels to a maximum daily dosage of 60 mg/kg. Existing dietary protein and Phe intake should not be modified during the evaluation period. Discontinuation for Lack of Biochemical Response Discontinue SEPHIENCE in patients whose blood Phe does not decrease after 2 weeks of treatment at the maximum daily dosage of 60 mg/kg. Dosage Modification and Monitoring Monitor blood Phe levels during treatment, and if needed, modify the daily dosage of SEPHIENCE within the range of 7.5 mg/kg to 60 mg/kg and/or dietary protein and Phe intake to ensure adequate blood Phe level control. Frequent blood Phe monitoring is recommended in the pediatric population [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Missed Dose A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible but 2 doses should not be administered on the same day. Resume the normal dosing schedule the following day. 2.3 Preparation and Administration Instructions Doses Less Than 1,000 mg ( administration based on 25 mg/mL concentration ) Determine the required number of SEPHIENCE packets and the required volume of water or apple juice to achieve a concentration of 25 mg/mL mixture (see Table 2 ). Table 2: Number of SEPHIENCE Packets and Volume to Prepare a SEPHIENCE Mixture of 25 mg/mL for Doses Less than 1,000 mg Abbreviations: mg, milligrams; mL, milliliters a For calculated daily doses less than 1,000 mg, round the dose up to the nearest 250 mg to determine the number of SEPHIENCE packets and prepare each 250 mg packet with 9 mL of water or apple juice. Daily Dose (mg) Number of 1,000 mg packets a Number of 250 mg packets a Volume of water or apple juice (mL) 250 mg or less 0 1 9 mL 251 mg to 500 mg 0 2 18 mL 501 mg to 750 mg 0 3 27 mL 751 mg to 999 mg 1 0 36 mL Calculate the prescribed dose volume to the nearest 0.2 mL. Divide the calculated daily dose (mg) by the final concentration (25 mg/mL) of SEPHIENCE liquid mixture for doses less than 1,000 mg. Prescribed dose volume (mL) = SEPHIENCE calculated dose (mg)) 25 mg/mL Prepare a liquid mixture. Open and empty the entire content of each SEPHIENCE packet into an appropriate-size container and mix with the required volume of water or apple juice per Table 2 . Stir the contents for 30 seconds or more until the mixture is uniformly mixed. Using a graduated oral dosing syringe, draw up the prescribed dose volume to the nearest 0.2 mL. Administer the prescribed dose volume (mL). Administer immediately. If particles are remaining in the syringe, draw up additional water or apple juice and administer the contents immediately. Repeat if particles still remain. Discard unused portion of SEPHIENCE mixture remaining in the container. Consume additional food after administration of the prescribed dose volume. Doses 1,000 mg or Greater ( whole packet administration ) Determine the required number of SEPHIENCE packets and the required volume of water, apple juice, strawberry jam, or applesauce (see Table 3 ). Table 3: Number of SEPHIENCE Packets and Volume to Prepare a SEPHIENCE Mixture for Doses of 1,000 mg or Greater Abbreviations: mg, milligrams; mL, milliliters; Tbsp, tablespoons a For calculated daily doses 1,000 mg or greater, round the dose to the nearest 250 mg to determine the number of SEPHIENCE packets required. b For each 1,000 mg packet, add 2 Tbsp (30 mL) of water, apple juice, strawberry jam, or applesauce, and then add an additional quantity of 2 Tbsp (30 mL) for up to three 250 mg packet(s) and then mix. Daily Dose (mg) Number of 1,000 mg packets a Number of 250 mg packets a Volume of water, apple juice, strawberry jam, or applesauce b 1,000 mg to 1,124 mg 1 0 2 Tbsp or 30 mL 1,125 mg to 1,374 mg 1 1 4 Tbsp or 60 mL 1,375 mg to 1,624 mg 1 2 1,625 mg to 1,874 mg 1 3 1,875 mg to 2,124 mg 2 0 2,125 mg to 2,374 mg 2 1 6 Tbsp or 90 mL 2,375 mg to 2,624 mg 2 2 2,625 mg to 2,874 mg 2 3 2,875 mg to 3,124 mg 3 0 3,125 mg to 3,374 mg 3 1 8 Tbsp or 120 mL 3,375 mg to 3,624 mg 3 2 3,625 mg to 3,874 mg 3 3 3,875 mg to 4,124 mg 4 0 4,125 mg to 4,374 mg 4 1 10 Tbsp or 150 mL 4,375 mg to 4,624 mg 4 2 4,625 mg to 4,874 mg 4 3 4,875 mg to 5,124 mg 5 0 5,125 mg to 5,374 mg 5 1 12 Tbsp or 180 mL 5,375 mg to 5,624 mg 5 2 5,625 mg to 5,874 mg 5 3 5,875 mg to 6,124 mg 6 0 Prepare a liquid or soft food mixture. Open and empty the entire content of each SEPHIENCE packet into a container. Mix with the required amount of water, apple juice, strawberry jam, or applesauce per Table 3 . Stir the contents for 30 seconds or more when mixing SEPHIENCE with water or apple juice or 60 seconds or more when mixing SEPHIENCE with strawberry jam or applesauce until the mixture is uniform. Administer the dose. Consume the entire mixture immediately. If particles are remaining in the container, add additional water or juice to the container and administer the contents immediately. Repeat if particles still remain. Consume additional food after administration of the entire mixture. 2.4 Storage Instructions for the Liquid and Soft Food Mixtures If the SEPHIENCE liquid or soft food mixture is not administered immediately, cover and store the mixture at controlled room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) for up to 6 hours or refrigerate between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 24 hours. If the liquid or soft food mixture is stored, stir for at least 30 or 60 seconds, respectively, prior to administration of the prescribed dose. Discard unused SEPHIENCE mixture after 6 hours at controlled room temperature or after 24 hours if refr