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ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) coverage announcements

Stay informed about changes payers make to coverage policy for ZIEXTENZO. This list includes some, but not all, of the top preferred plans that offer coverage.

Find your coverage today using the ZIEXTENZO® National Coverage Map

Commercial Health Plans

United Healthcare has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be the co-preferred pegfilgrastim.
Read more: UnitedHealthcare Commercial White Blood Cell Colony-Stimulating Factors Medical Benefit Drug Policy

CareFirst has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: CareFirst Specialty Drug List

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Montana Specialty Drug Management List
Read more: BCBS of MT Medical Benefit Drugs Specialty Pharmacy

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Illinois Specialty Drug Management List
Read more: Illinois Specialty Medications List

Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS of New Mexico Specialty Drug Management

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma Medical Benefit updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS of OK Medical Benefit Drugs Specialty Pharmacy List

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma Specialty Drug updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS of OK Specialty Drug Management List

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS of Texas Specialty Drug Management List

Humana has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Humana ZIEXTENZO Pharmacy Coverage Policy

Highmark Commercial Medical Policy Pennsylvania updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Highmark Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factors

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS FEHBP Pegfilgrastim Medical Policy

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Prior Review Code List

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS of Alabama Colony-Stimulating Factors Policy

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS MI Pegfilgrastim: BCBS of TN Fulphila Policy

Blue Shield of California has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Blue Shield of California Specialty Drug List for Standard Drug Formulary


Managed Medicaid

WellCare Corporation has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Meridian Medicaid IL Authorization Lookup

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: BCBS of Illinois Medicaid Prior Authorization Procedure Code List
Read more: BCBS of Illinois Medicaid Prior Authorization Requirements Summary

Centene Corporation has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity.
Read more: Centene Pegfilgrastim Clinical Policy


Pharmacy Benefit

CVS Health (commercial) has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be the exclusive pegfilgrastim.
Read more: CVS Commercial Neulasta and Pegfilgrastim Biosimilars PA Policy

Aetna (commercial) has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be the exclusive pegfilgrastim.
Read more: Aetna Standard Plan Pharmacy Drug Guide

Express Scripts (commercial) has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be the co-preferred pegfilgrastim.
Read more: Express Scripts High Performance Formulary

UnitedHealthcare (commercial) has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be the co-preferred pegfilgrastim.
Read More: Advantage 3-tier PDL
Read More: Traditional 3-tier PDL

Optum (commercial) has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be the co-preferred pegfilgrastim.
Read More: Optum Select Standard Form

Anthem (commercial) has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity. 
Read more: Anthem 3-tier PDL

Anthem (Medicare) has updated ZIEXTENZO® (pegfilgrastim-bmez) to be covered at parity. 
Read more: Anthem MAPD Core PA Comprehensive

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ZIEXTENZO

CONTRAINDICATIONS

ZIEXTENZO is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to pegfilgrastim or filgrastim.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Splenic Rupture

  • Splenic rupture, including fatal cases, can occur following the administration of pegfilgrastim. Evaluate for an enlarged spleen or splenic rupture in patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain after receiving ZIEXTENZO.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

  • ARDS can occur in patients receiving pegfilgrastim. Evaluate patients who develop fever and lung infiltrates or respiratory distress after receiving ZIEXTENZO, for ARDS. Discontinue ZIEXTENZO in patients with ARDS.

Serious Allergic Reactions

  • Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur in patients receiving pegfilgrastim. The majority of events occurred upon initial exposure and can recur within days after the discontinuation of initial anti-allergic treatment. Permanently discontinue ZIEXTENZO in patients with serious allergic reactions. Do not administer ZIEXTENZO to patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to pegfilgrastim or filgrastim.

Use in Patients with Sickle Cell Disorders

  • Severe and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises can occur in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving pegfilgrastim products. Discontinue ZIEXTENZO if sickle cell crisis occurs.

Glomerulonephritis

  • Glomerulonephritis has occurred in patients receiving pegfilgrastim. The diagnoses were based upon azotemia, hematuria (microscopic and macroscopic), proteinuria, and renal biopsy. Generally, events resolved after dose-reduction or discontinuation of pegfilgrastim. If glomerulonephritis is suspected, evaluate for cause. If causality is likely, consider dose-reduction or interruption of ZIEXTENZO.

Leukocytosis

  • White blood cell (WBC) counts of 100 x 109/L or greater have been observed in patients receiving pegfilgrastim. Monitoring of CBC during pegfilgrastim therapy is recommended.

Thrombocytopenia

  • Thrombocytopenia has been reported in patients receiving pegfilgrastim. Monitor platelet counts.

Capillary Leak Syndrome (CLS)

  • CLS has been reported after G-CSF administration, including pegfilgrastim, and is characterized by hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, edema and hemoconcentration. Episodes vary in frequency, severity and may be life-threatening if treatment is delayed. Patients who develop symptoms of CLS should be closely monitored and receive standard symptomatic treatment, which may include intensive care.

Potential for Tumor Growth Stimulatory Effects on Malignant Cells

  • The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor through which pegfilgrastim and filgrastim act has been found on tumor cell lines. The possibility that pegfilgrastim acts as a growth factor for any tumor type, including myeloid malignancies and myelodysplasia, diseases for which pegfilgrastim is not approved, cannot be excluded.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Patients with Breast and Lung Cancer

  • MDS and AML have been associated with the use of pegfilgrastim in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in patients with breast and lung cancer. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of MDS/AML in these settings.

Aortitis

  • Aortitis has been reported in patients receiving pegfilgrastim. It may occur as early as the first week after start of therapy. Manifestations may include generalized signs and symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, malaise, back pain, and increased inflammatory markers (e.g., c-reactive protein and white blood cell count). Consider aortitis in patients who develop these signs and symptoms without known etiology. Discontinue ZIEXTENZO if aortitis is suspected.

Nuclear Imaging

  • Increased hematopoietic activity of the bone marrow in response to growth factor therapy has been associated with transient positive bone imaging changes. This should be considered when interpreting bone imaging results.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions are bone pain and pain in extremity.

Please see ZIEXTENZO full Prescribing Information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ZARXIO

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • ZARXIO® (filgrastim-sndz) is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors such as filgrastim or pegfilgrastim products.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Splenic rupture, including fatal cases, has been reported following the administration of filgrastim products. Patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain should be evaluated.
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been reported in patients receiving filgrastim products. Patients who develop fever and lung infiltrates or respiratory distress should be evaluated. Discontinue ZARXIO in patients with ARDS.
  • Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients receiving filgrastim products. The majority of reported events occurred upon initial exposure. Provide symptomatic treatment for allergic reactions. Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in patients receiving filgrastim products can recur within days after the discontinuation of initial anti-allergic treatment. Permanently discontinue ZARXIO in patients with serious allergic reactions.
  • Sickle cell crisis, in some cases fatal, has been reported with the use of filgrastim products in patients with sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease. Discontinue ZARXIO if sickle cell crisis occurs.
  • Glomerulonephritis has occurred in patients receiving filgrastim products. The diagnoses were based upon azotemia, hematuria (microscopic and macroscopic), proteinuria, and renal biopsy. Generally, events of glomerulonephritis resolved after dose reduction or discontinuation of filgrastim products. If glomerulonephritis is suspected, evaluate for cause. If causality is likely, consider dose-reduction or interruption of ZARXIO.
  • Alveolar hemorrhage manifesting as pulmonary infiltrates and hemoptysis requiring hospitalization have been reported in healthy donors treated with filgrastim products undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection mobilization. Hemoptysis resolved with discontinuation of filgrastim. The use of ZARXIO for PBPC mobilization in healthy donors is not an approved indication.
  • Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) has been reported after G-CSF administration, including filgrastim products, and is characterized by hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, edema and hemoconcentration. Episodes vary in frequency, severity and may be life-threatening if treatment is delayed. Patients who develop symptoms of capillary leak syndrome should be closely monitored and receive appropriate treatment.
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML):
    • Patients with Severe Chronic Neutropenia: Confirm the diagnosis of severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) before initiating ZARXIO therapy. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) have been reported to occur in the natural history of congenital neutropenia without cytokine therapy. Cytogenetic abnormalities, transformation to MDS, and AML have also been observed in patients treated with filgrastim products for SCN. Abnormal cytogenetics and MDS have been associated with the eventual development of myeloid leukemia. The effect of filgrastim products on the development of abnormal cytogenetics and the effect of continued filgrastim administration in patients with abnormal cytogenetics or MDS are unknown. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of MDS/AML in these settings. If a patient with SCN develops abnormal cytogenetics or myelodysplasia, the risks and benefits of continuing ZARXIO should be carefully considered.
  • Patients with Breast and Lung Cancer: MDS and AML have been associated with the use of filgrastim in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in patients with breast and lung cancer. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of MDS/AML in these settings.
  • Thrombocytopenia has been reported in patients receiving filgrastim products. Monitor platelet counts.
  •  Leukocytosis:
    • Patients with Cancer Receiving Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy: White blood cell counts of 100,000/mm3 or greater were observed in approximately 2% of patients receiving filgrastim at dosages above 5 mcg/kg/day. In patients with cancer receiving ZARXIO as an adjunct to myelosuppressive chemotherapy, to avoid the potential risks of excessive leukocytosis, it is recommended that ZARXIO therapy be discontinued if the ANC surpasses 10,000/mm3 after the chemotherapy-induced ANC nadir has occurred. Monitor CBCs at least twice weekly during therapy.
    • Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell (PBPC) Collection and Therapy: During the period of administration of ZARXIO for PBPC mobilization in patients with cancer, discontinue ZARXIO if the leukocyte count rises to >100,000/mm3.
  • Cutaneous vasculitis has been reported in patients treated with filgrastim products. In most cases, the severity of cutaneous vasculitis was moderate or severe. Most of the reports involved patients with SCN receiving long-term filgrastim therapy. Hold ZARXIO therapy in patients with cutaneous vasculitis. ZARXIO may be started at a reduced dose when the symptoms resolve and the ANC has decreased.
  • The possibility that ZARXIO acts as a growth factor for any tumor type cannot be excluded. The safety of filgrastim products in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and myelodysplasia has not been established. When ZARXIO is used to mobilize PBPC, tumor cells may be released from the marrow and subsequently collected in the leukapheresis product. Available data is limited and inconclusive.
  • The safety and efficacy of ZARXIO given simultaneously with cytotoxic chemotherapy have not been established. Do not use ZARXIO in the period 24 hours before through 24 hours after the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The safety and efficacy of ZARXIO have not been evaluated in patients receiving concurrent radiation therapy. Avoid the simultaneous use of ZARXIO with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • Increased hematopoietic activity of the bone marrow in response to growth factor therapy has been associated with transient positive bone-imaging changes on nuclear imaging.
  • Aortitis has been reported in patients receiving filgrastim products. It may occur as early as the first week after start of therapy. Manifestations may include generalized signs and symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, malaise, back pain, and increased inflammatory markers (e.g., c-reactive protein and white blood cell count). Consider aortitis in patients who develop these signs and symptoms without known etiology. Discontinue ZARXIO if aortitis is suspected.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most common adverse reactions in patients:

  • With nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs (≥ 5% difference in incidence compared to placebo) are thrombocytopenia, nausea, pyrexia, chest pain, pain, fatigue, back pain, arthralgia, bone pain, pain in extremity, dizziness, cough, dyspnea, rash, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased and blood alkaline phosphatase increased
  • With AML (≥ 2% difference in incidence) are epistaxis, back pain, pain in extremity, erythema, and rash maculo-papular
  • With nonmyeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by BMT (≥ 5% difference in incidence) are rash and hypersensitivity
  • Undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization and collection (≥ 5% incidence) are bone pain, pyrexia, blood alkaline phosphatase increased and headache
  • With severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) (≥ 5% difference in incidence) are arthralgia, bone pain, back pain, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, pain in extremity, splenomegaly, anemia, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, epistaxis, chest pain, diarrhea, hypoesthesia, and alopecia

Please see full Prescribing Information for ZARXIO.

INDICATION FOR ZIEXTENZO

ZIEXTENZO is indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.

INDICATIONS FOR ZARXIO

  • Patients with Cancer Receiving Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy: to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a significant incidence of severe neutropenia with fever.
  • Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Induction or Consolidation Chemotherapy: to reduce the time to neutrophil recovery and the duration of fever, following induction or consolidation chemotherapy treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
  • Patients with Cancer Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation: to reduce the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia-related clinical sequelae, e.g., febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by bone marrow transplantation.
  • Patients Undergoing Autologous Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Collection and Therapy: for the mobilization of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cells into the peripheral blood for collection by leukapheresis.
  • Patients with Severe Chronic Neutropenia: for chronic administration to reduce the incidence and duration of sequelae of neutropenia (e.g., fever, infections, oropharyngeal ulcers) in symptomatic patients with congenital neutropenia, cyclic neutropenia, or idiopathic neutropenia.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

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ZIEXTENZO, Zarxio, and the Sandoz One Source logo are registered trademarks of Novartis AG.
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286595  06/2023