Administration by a Healthcare Provider
The lyophilized powder should be prepared and administered by a health
care professional.
CIMZIA is provided in a package that contains everything required to
reconstitute and inject the drug as described below. CIMZIA should be
brought to room temperature before reconstituting to facilitate dissolution.
Reconstitute each lyophilized vial of CIMZIA using appropriate aseptic
technique, with 1 mL of sterile Water for Injection, USP, and a syringe with a
20 gauge needle. Gently swirl each vial of CIMZIA without shaking so that all
of the lyophilized powder comes into contact with the sterile Water for
Injection. Leave the vials undisturbed to fully reconstitute (this may take as
long as 30 minutes). Reconstituted CIMZIA has a concentration of
approximately 200 mg/mL. Once reconstituted, CIMZIA is a clear to
opalescent, colorless to pale yellow liquid essentially free from particulates.
Prior to injecting, reconstituted CIMZIA should be at room temperature. Do
not leave reconstituted CIMZIA at room temperature for more than 2 hours
prior to administration.
Using a new 20 gauge (reconstitution) needle for each vial, withdraw the
reconstituted solution into a separate syringe for each vial, so that each
syringe contains 1 mL of CIMZIA (200 mg of certolizumab pegol). Switch
each 20 gauge needle to a 23 gauge (dosing) needle and inject the full
contents of each syringe subcutaneously into the thigh or abdomen. Where a
400 mg dose is required, separate sites should be used for each 200 mg
injection.
Once reconstituted, CIMZIA can be stored in the vials for up to 24 hours at 2
to 8°C (36 to 46°F) prior to injection. Do not freeze.