2.1 Dosage

AVEED is for intramuscular use only. Dosage titration is not necessary.

Inject AVEED deeply into the gluteal muscle following the usual precautions for intramuscular administration; care must be taken to avoid intravascular injection [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. Intravascular injection of AVEED may lead to POME [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

The recommended dose of AVEED is 3 mL (750 mg) injected intramuscularly, followed by 3 mL (750 mg) injected after 4 weeks, then 3 mL (750 mg) injected every 10 weeks thereafter.

2.2 Preparation Instructions

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

Carefully remove the gray plastic cap from the top of the vial by lifting it up from the edges with your fingers or by pushing the bottom edge of the cap upward using the top of your thumb. Remove only the gray plastic cap while leaving the aluminum metal ring and crimp seal around the gray rubber stopper in place. To facilitate the removal of medication from the vial,​ attach an 18-gauge needle and draw 3 mL of air into the syringe. Hold the needle at a 45° angle to the stopper with the bevel in the up orientation. Inject through the gray rubber stopper into the vial to create positive pressure within the vial chamber.

Withdraw 3 mL (750 mg) of AVEED solution from the vial. Expel excess air bubbles from the syringe. Replace the syringe needle used to draw up the solution from the vial with a new intramuscular needle and inject. Discard any unused portion in the vial.

2.3 Administration Instructions

The site for injection for AVEED is the gluteus medius muscle site located in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock. Care must be taken to avoid the needle hitting the superior gluteal arteries and sciatic nerve. Between consecutive injections, alternate the injection site between left and right buttock.

Figure 1: Identifying the Injection Site

Following antiseptic skin preparation, enter the muscle and maintain the syringe at a 90° angle with the needle in its deeply imbedded position. Grasp the barrel of the syringe firmly with one hand. With the other hand, pull back on the plunger and aspirate for several seconds to ensure that no blood appears. If any blood is drawn into the syringe, immediately withdraw and discard the syringe and prepare another dose.

If no blood is aspirated, reinforce the current needle position to avoid any movement of the needle and slowly (over 60 to 90 seconds) depress the plunger carefully and at a constant rate, until all the medication has been delivered. Be sure to depress the plunger completely with sufficient controlled force. Withdraw the needle.

Immediately upon removal of the needle from the muscle, apply gentle pressure with a sterile pad to the injection site. If there is bleeding at the site of injection, apply a bandage.

Following each injection of AVEED, observe patients in the healthcare setting for 30 minutes in order to provide appropriate medical treatment in the event of serious POME reactions or anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].