**ALWAYS establish patent IV access and flush PRIOR to mixing medication**
Pharmacy specific orders / instructions always supersede the Agency guidance provided below. If in doubt, do not guess, call our office, or tag @TeamHelp-CareCoordination(Best Tag) and ask for Clinical Support.
ALWAYS establish IV access prior to mixing any meds
ALWAYS make sure you have everything you need to complete infusion before you begin
ALWAYS confirm your medication dose against the medication label and orders
ALWAYS reach out to us first (not the Pharmacy) with any questions
NEVER tell a Pt you have not given a particular medication before
MIXING
Obtain a clear/clean space to prepare the
Be sure all the necessary supplies are available to complete infusion from beginning to end. You will need:
For IV: Medication vials, IV start kit, IVs, syringe and needle, 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection bag for dilution, IV tubing, alcohol pads, bandage/gauze
For SC: Medication vials, syringe, needle to draw up medication and needle to inject, alcohol pads, bandage/gauze
Use syringe and needle to withdraw calculated volume from vial(s) and round to calculated volume of LOARGYS to nearest 0.1 ml
Discard unused portion
IV
Dilute withdrawn volume of LOARGYS solution in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection to a maximum concentration of 0.5 mg/mL
Gently invert the infusion bag to mix the solution. Avoid vigorous shaking or agitation
After 8 weeks of once weekly intravenous LOARGYS, patients may be switched to once weekly subcutaneous LOARGYS at same dosage of intravenous therapy
SC
Do not dilute the withdrawn volume of LOARGYS solution for subcutaneous administration.
ADMINISTRATION
Take baseline vitals and document basic assessment
IV
Administer intravenous infusion over at least 30 minutes
After LOARGYS infusion, use 0.9% Sodium Chloride to flush line
Remove IV
Place pressure bandage at site
SC
Administer undiluted solution subcutaneously into abdomen, lateral part of the thigh, or side or back of upper arms
If more than 1 injection is needed for a single dose of LOARGYS, injection sites should be at least 1 inch apart
Do not inject into scar tissue or areas that are reddened, inflamed, or swollen. If injecting into abdomen, avoid area directly surrounding the navel
Rotate injection sites between doses
Place bandage at site(s) if needed
Monitor patient for any adverse reactions
Record vital signs at baseline, every 15 minutes AND 5-10 minutes post infusion
Record lot numbers and expiration dates for vials used
Clean and dispose of used supplies
ADDITIONAL INFO
HCP Website: Loargys HCP
Prescribing Info: Loartgys PI
Resources: Loargys-Resources
Administration Guide: Loargys Dosing-Admin