NIPOCALIMAB-AAHU INJ,SOLN
Clinical Criteria Summary
Document 803: MON Nipocalimab IMAAVY Mini Monograph Jan 2026
Indication & Patient Population
- Treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive
- Considered a steroid-sparing treatment option when traditional oral immunosuppressants (azathioprine, mycophenolate, and/or steroids) are ineffective
- Not supported for use in antibody-negative patients
Dosing & Administration Requirements
- Initial dose: Single dose of 30mg/kg IV administered over at least 30 minutes
- Maintenance dose: 15mg/kg IV administered over at least 15 minutes every 2 weeks (starting 2 weeks after initial dose)
- Must be diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride
- Must use a 0.2 micron in-line or add-on filter
- Utilizes pre-defined scheduled dosing
Contraindications
- History of serious hypersensitivity reaction to nipocalimab or its excipients
Warnings & Precautions / Monitoring Requirements
- Delay administration in patients with an active infection due to increased risk of infection
- Discontinue infusion if hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, eczema) occur
- Monitor for 30 minutes after each infusion for infusion-related or hypersensitivity reactions
- Live or live-attenuated vaccines are not recommended during treatment
Drug Interactions & Exclusions
- Should not be combined with other IgG-affecting agents for chronic management (including IVIg, rozanolixizumab, or efgartigimod)
- May reduce the effectiveness of medications that bind to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), including immunoglobulin products and monoclonal antibodies regardless of indication
Document 829: Nipocalimab IMAAVY CFU Jan 2026
Exclusion Criteria
- Concomitant therapy with other monoclonal antibody or neonatal Fc receptor antagonist (e.g., rozanolixizumab, efgartigimod)
- Thymectomy within 3 months
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasma exchange within 1 month
- Untreated hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV with low CD4 count
- Serum IgG level less than 600 mg/dL
- Active, untreated infection (nipocalimab may be started/restarted once the infection is controlled)
Inclusion Criteria
- Care provided by a VA/VA Community Care neurologist or locally designated expert
- Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive generalized myasthenia gravis or muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive myasthenia gravis
- Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification II to IV
- Myasthenia Gravis-specific Activities of Daily Living scale (MG-ADL) total score ≥ 6
- History of contraindication, intolerance, or inadequate symptom control to at least one other neonatal Fc receptor antagonist (e.g., rozanolixizumab, efgartigimod)
- Additional Inclusion Criteria (Select one)
- For AChR+ chronic therapy: Inadequate symptom control to maximally tolerated pyridostigmine and at least two immunosuppressive agents separately trialed for at least 6 months each [e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, etc.]
- For MuSK+ chronic therapy: Inadequate symptom control to rituximab trialed for at least 6 months
- For AChR+ or MuSK+ chronic therapy: History of intolerance or contraindication preventing trial of above immunosuppressive agents