Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain autoimmune conditions. Ultomiris is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. The drug’s dosing schedule typically includes a loading dose and maintenance doses.
Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz)* is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following rare autoimmune conditions in certain adults and children:
In addition, this medication is also approved to treat the following conditions in certain adults:
- generalized myasthenia gravis
- neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), also called neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or Devic’s disease
Ultomiris is a biologic drug and belongs to a drug class called complement inhibitors. Ultomiris is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Ultomiris, including its strengths and how you will receive it. For a comprehensive look at Ultomiris, including details about its uses and limitations of use, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Ultomiris provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Ultomiris dosage that’s right for you. Sometimes, you may need to go to your doctor’s office, hospital, or infusion center to get your dose of Ultomiris.
* The reason “-cwvz” 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.
Before you start receiving Ultomiris, your doctor will recommend the best dosage of this medication for you. They may also give you a dosing schedule to keep track of your Ultomiris doses.
Ultomiris forms
Ultomiris comes as a solution in a single-dose vial. A doctor or another healthcare professional will adminster it as an intravenous (IV) infusion.
Ultomiris strengths
Ultomiris comes in three strengths:
- 300 milligrams (mg)/30 milliliters (mL)
- 300 mg/3 mL
- 1,100 mg/11 mL
Typical dosages
Typically, Ultomiris treatment begins with a one-time loading dose. A loading dose helps the drug start working right away. After your loading dose, you’ll continue treatment with a maintenance (long-term) dose of the medication.
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 atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
The dosage of Ultomiris IV infusion for aHUS is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). (One kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb].)
You’ll start with a loading dose of medication. After 2 weeks, you’ll continue treatment with a maintenance dosage. Your doctor may use a dosage calculator to determine your dose of Ultomiris based on your body weight.
Below is a dosage chart for the recommended doses of Ultomiris for aHUS:
| Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dosage |
| 40 kg to less than 60 kg (about 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 milligrams (mg) | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks |
| 60 kg to less than 100 kg (about 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks |
| 100 kg or more (about 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
If you switch from another drug, such as eculizumab (Soliris), to Ultomiris, your doctor can help determine your dosing schedule.
Dosage for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
The dosage of Ultomiris IV infusion for PNH is based on body weight in kg.
You’ll start with a loading dose of medication. After 2 weeks, you’ll continue treatment with a maintenance dosage.
Below is a dosage chart for the recommended doses of Ultomiris for PNH:
| Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dosage |
| 40 kg to less than 60 kg (about 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks |
| 60 kg to less than 100 kg (about 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks |
| 100 kg or more (about 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
If you switch from another drug, such as eculizumab (Soliris), to Ultomiris, your doctor can help determine your dosing schedule.
Dosage for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG)
To treat gMG, Ultomiris is only recommended for adults weighing 40 kg (about 88 lb) or more.
The dosage of Ultomiris for gMG is based on your body weight. You’ll start with a loading dose of medication. After 2 weeks, you’ll continue treatment with a maintenance dosage.
Below is a dosage chart for the recommended IV infusion doses of Ultomiris for gMG:
| Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dosage |
| 40 kg to less than 60 kg (about 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks |
| 60 kg to less than 100 kg (about 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks |
| 100 kg or more (about 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
Dosage for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
To treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), Ultomiris is only recommended for adults weighing 40 kg (about 88 lb) or more.
The dosage of Ultomiris for NMOSD is based on your body weight. You’ll start with a loading dose of medication. After 2 weeks, you’ll continue treatment with a maintenance dosage.
Below is a dosage chart for the recommended IV infusion doses of Ultomiris for NMOSD:
| Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dosage |
| 40 kg to less than 60 kg (about 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks |
| 60 kg to less than 100 kg (about 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks |
| 100 kg or more (about 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
Children’s dosage
Ultomiris is also approved for use in children 1 month and older with either aHUS or PNH.
The dosage of Ultomiris for these conditions is based on your child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). (1 kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb]). They’ll start with a loading dose of medication. After 2 weeks, they’ll continue treatment with a maintenance dosage.
Below is a dosage chart for the recommended IV infusion doses of Ultomiris:
| Body weight | Loading dose | Maintenance dosage |
| 5 kg to less than 10 kg (about 11 lb to less than 22 lb) | 600 mg | 300 mg every 4 weeks |
| 10 kg to less than 20 kg (about 22 lb to less than 44 lb) | 600 mg | 600 mg every 4 weeks |
| 20 kg to less than 30 kg (about 44 lb to less than 66 lb) | 900 mg | 2,100 mg every 8 weeks |
| 30 kg to less than 40 kg (about 66 lb to less than 88 lb) | 1,200 mg | 2,700 mg every 8 weeks |
| 40 kg to less than 60 kg (about 88 lb to less than 132 lb) | 2,400 mg | 3,000 mg every 8 weeks |
| 60 kg to less than 100 kg (about 132 lb to less than 220 lb) | 2,700 mg | 3,300 mg every 8 weeks |
| 100 kg or more (about 220 lb or more) | 3,000 mg | 3,600 mg every 8 weeks |
Note: Ultomiris is not approved to treat gMG or NMOSD in children.
Long-term treatment
Ultomiris is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ultomiris is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Ultomiris dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using Ultomiris to treat
- your age and body weight
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Ultomiris dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Sometimes, you may need to get an additional dose of Ultomiris. This can occur if you have any blood infusions or certain procedures, such as plasma exchange, plasmapheresis, or intravenous immunoglobulin. Usually, these doses range from 600 milligrams (mg) to 1,800 mg and are one-time doses.
Talk with your doctor if you have any blood infusions or procedures. They can help determine if you need an additional dose of Ultomiris.
Ultomiris comes as a solution that a doctor or another healthcare professional administers as an IV infusion. (An IV infusion is an injection given in a vein over time.)
If you’re taking the IV form of Ultomiris, your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you your dose of medication. This can take place at your doctor’s office, infusion center, or in the hospital. Sometimes, your doctor may be able to give your Ultomiris dose at home.
Your doctor will dilute your medication so that it’s the right dose for you. Then, they’ll give your dose through a vein in your arm over time.
If you have questions about receiving Ultomiris IV infusions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also resources about receiving the drug on the manufacturer’s website.
If you miss your appointment to receive your intravenous (IV) infusion of Ultomiris, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule it.
It’s important that you don’t receive more Ultomiris than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Ultomiris
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve received too much Ultomiris. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ultomiris for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
If you have questions about the dosage of Ultomiris that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Ultomiris. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Ultomiris: For information about other aspects of Ultomiris, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Ultomiris, see this article. You can also look at the Ultomiris prescribing information.
- Price: For information about Ultomiris and price, see this article.
- Details about your condition: For details about blood disorders, see our list of blood and hematology 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.
