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Watson, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on September 15, 2022 OverviewSaphnelo (anifrolumab-fnia) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat a type of lupus called systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. Saphnelo comes as a solution given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. It belongs to a group of medications called type 1 interferon (IFN-1) receptor blockers. Saphnelo is a biologic drug. There are currently no biosimilar forms of Saphnelo. For information about the dosage of Saphnelo, including its strengths and how to use the drug, keep reading. This medication also has some limitations of use. For a comprehensive look at Saphnelo, see this article. This article describes typical dosages for Saphnelo provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Saphnelo dosage that’s right for you. Note: The reason “-fnia” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future. Saphnelo dosage Before you start treatment with Saphnelo, your doctor will recommend the best dosage for you. Saphnelo form Saphnelo comes as a solution given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. Saphnelo strength Saphnelo comes in one strength: 300 milligrams/2 milliliters (mg/mL). Typical dosages The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Dosage for systemic lupus erythematosus The recommended dosage of Saphnelo for systemic lupus erythematosus is a 300-mg infusion given once every 4 weeks. Long-term treatment Saphnelo is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Saphnelo is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. Frequently asked questions Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Saphnelo. Is it safe for me to receive Saphnelo while breastfeeding If so what s the recommended dosage It’s not known if it’s safe to take Saphnelo while you’re breastfeeding. It’s unknown if the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Saphnelo may have on a child who is breastfed. Animal studies show that Saphnelo may be present in breast milk. However, animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re breastfeeding or thinking about it, talk with your doctor before receiving Saphnelo. Is Saphnelo s dosing determined by body weight No, the dosage of Saphnelo isn’t determined by your body weight. The recommended dosage of Saphnelo is 300 milligrams once every 4 weeks, regardless of your body weight. Talk with your doctor about the best dosage of Saphnelo for you. How Saphnelo is given Saphnelo comes as a solution given as an IV infusion by your healthcare professional. This is an injection into a vein over time. Your healthcare professional will give you your dose of Saphnelo at your doctor’s office, hospital, or at an infusion suite. In some cases, you may be able to have a healthcare professional come to your home to give you your dose of medication. Saphnelo infusions usually take about 30 minutes. ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does. If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Saphnelo in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles. Missed dose If you miss an appointment to receive your dose of Saphnelo, call your doctor’s office and reschedule it for as soon as possible. If there are at least 14 days between your Saphnelo doses, you can receive your infusion as soon as possible. Talk with your doctor about when to get your next dose of Saphnelo if you miss your dose. To help make sure that you don’t miss an appointment for your dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone. Takeaway and helpful resources The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Saphnelo for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about the dosage of Saphnelo that’s best for you, talk with your doctor. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Saphnelo. These additional articles might be helpful to you:More about Saphnelo. For information about other aspects of Saphnelo, refer to this article.Details about lupus. For details about your condition, see our list of lupus articles. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Last medically reviewed on September 15, 2022LupusPharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Amber R. Watson, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on September 15, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageLupus pictures and symptomsMedically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a wide variety of symptoms. 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