Starting Fabhalta (iptacopan)Your first 90 days with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH): the steps, the dates and who to call

How you take it

One 200mg capsule twice a day, swallowed whole, with or without food.

Before your first dose

• Vaccines at least 2 weeks before your first dose: a pneumonia shot (pneumococcal) and meningitis shots (the ACWY shot and the MenB shot). Old shots may not be enough, so your doctor checks.
• If your doctor decides you cannot wait 2 weeks, the label says you get antibiotics and the vaccines as soon as possible.
• A Patient Safety Card from your doctor. Keep it in your wallet the whole time you take Fabhalta and for 2 weeks after.
• On Soliris now? The label says you start Fabhalta no later than 1 week after your last dose. On Ultomiris? No later than 6 weeks after your last dose. Your doctor sets the dates.
• Insurance approval. Novartis Patient Support, the drugmaker's program, checks your coverage, can help with the vaccines, and may help with costs. The number is 1-833-993-2242.
• A pharmacy that is certified to fill Fabhalta. It checks your vaccine dates with your doctor's office before the first bottle.

The first 90 days

1. 3 weeks beforeVaccines done, or scheduled
2. Week beforeInsurance approval, and the pharmacy checks your vaccines
3. Day 1First dose, 1 capsule, then another that evening
4. Day 14Two weeks in
5. Day 31, then every 30 daysRefill, then every 30 days
6. Day 90Ask about your blood counts and a cholesterol test