Key takeaways

  • Vyvgart Hytrulo treats generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), a neuromuscular disorder, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), an autoimmune disorder affecting nerves.
  • It’s given as a weekly injection under the skin, either by a healthcare professional or, after training, by the person or their caregiver at home using a prefilled syringe.
  • Common side effects include a higher risk of infections, headaches, and injection site reactions.

Vyvgart Hytrulo is a prescription drug used to treat certain conditions that affect your muscles and nerves. It’s a biologic medication, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It contains the active ingredients efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc.

Vyvgart Hytrulo treats the following conditions in adults:

  • Generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG): This neuromuscular disorder causes muscle weakness throughout the body. It can lead to symptoms like fatigue and trouble walking, speaking, or breathing. Doctors prescribe Vyvgart Hytrulo for adults who have specific antibodies involved in gMG.
  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP): CIDP is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerves. This can cause numbness, tingling, and difficulty walking.

Vyvgart Hytrulo is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously). It comes in two forms:

  • Single-dose vial: This must be given by a healthcare professional using a special needle called a winged infusion set. The injection takes 30 to 90 seconds.
  • Prefilled syringe: This can be given by a person or their caregiver after a healthcare professional has shown them how to do it. The self-injection takes 20 to 30 seconds.

Vyvgart Hytrulo vs. Vyvgart

A similar drug to Vyvgart Hytrulo, called Vyvgart, is also available. Both drugs are used to treat gMG in certain adults. Vyvgart Hytrulo is also used to treat CIDP, while Vyvgart is not.

Unlike Vyvgart Hytrulo, Vyvgart is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over time).

Your doctor will recommend the best dosage of Vyvgart Hytrulo for you. Common schedules include:

  • Dosage for gMG: One injection once weekly for 4 weeks. This is called a treatment cycle. Your doctor will determine when you need your next cycle based on your symptoms.
  • Dosage for CIDP: One injection weekly

What to do about a missed dose

If you miss a dose of Vyvgart Hytrulo, you can receive the injection up to 3 days after the original appointment. If more than 3 days have passed, talk with your doctor about when to restart.

Like most drugs, Vyvgart Hytrulo may cause mild to serious side effects.

Mild side effects

The most common side effects are typically mild and include:

  • mild infection, such as a respiratory tract infection or urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • headache
  • injection site reactions, such as itching, pain, bruising, or skin rash

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Vyvgart Hytrulo can occur, but they aren’t common.

If you have serious side effects from Vyvgart Hytrulo, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects include:

  • Infections: The drug affects the immune system, so it can increase your risk of infections.
  • Serious allergic reactions: These can include swelling of the face, trouble breathing, or a drop in blood pressure that leads to fainting. After receiving a dose, a healthcare professional will monitor you for an allergic reaction for at least 30 minutes.
  • Infusion or injection-related reactions: These may cause chills, shivering, or pain in the chest, stomach, or back.
  • Low white blood cells: The drug can lower the number of white blood cells that help your body fight germs.

Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about your health history, especially regarding:

  • Current infections: If you have an active infection, your doctor will likely delay treatment until the infection resolves.
  • Vaccines: You should not receive live vaccines (like chickenpox or MMR) while being treated with Vyvgart Hytrulo. Your doctor should check if you need any vaccines before you start treatment.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It’s not known whether the drug is safe for unborn babies or if it passes into breast milk. If you’re pregnant, there is a registry (855-272-6524) that collects health information to help other people in the future.
  • Kidney problems: No dose change is needed for mild kidney issues. There isn’t enough data to determine whether dose adjustments are needed for more severe kidney disease.

Vyvgart Hytrulo isn’t known to interact with any supplements, foods, or alcohol. However, it can interact with the following medications:

These drugs may not work as well if you take Vyvgart Hytrulo at the same time.

What you’ll pay for Vyvgart Hytrulo may depend on several factors, including your treatment plan, insurance status, and whether your insurance covers it. While you receive Vyvgart Hytrulo from a healthcare professional, your cost may include the price of the office visit.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can enroll in a program called My Vyvgart Path, which provides guidance and help navigating your insurance and understanding your costs.

Other drugs may be available to treat your condition. Your doctor may suggest one of the following:

Vyvgart Hytrulo is available only as a brand-name drug, not as a biosimilar.

Biosimilars are similar to generic drugs. They have the same active ingredient core name as the brand-name drug, but with unique suffixes. This is why “-qvfc” appears at the end of active ingredient names. It shows that the drug is distinct from biosimilars that may be created in the future.

It depends on your condition and how it responds to treatment. Your doctor will monitor the symptoms of your condition and determine how long you’ll use Vyvgart Hytrulo.

Vyvgart Hytrulo begins to work after your first dose. It may take several weeks for the drug to reduce symptoms of your condition. If you have questions about what to expect from treatment with Vyvgart Hytrulo, talk with your doctor.

Vyvgart Hytrulo is a subcutaneous injection used to treat adults with gMG and CIDP. It is typically given once weekly, either by a healthcare professional or, after training, by the person or their caregiver at home.

Common side effects include a higher risk of infections, headaches, and injection site reactions.

Talk with your doctor if your side effects bother you or you’re interested in trying a different medication.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.