IMCIVREE FAQ

About acquired hypothalamic obesity (HO)

About IMCIVREE

Prescribing IMCIVREE

Support for patients

α-MSH=α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, AVP=arginine vasopressin, BMI=body mass index, DI=Diabetes insipidus, HO=hypothalamic obesity, MC4=melanocortin-4, MC4R=melanocortin-4 receptor.

Indication

IMCIVREE is indicated to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older with acquired hypothalamic obesity (HO).

Limitations of Use

IMCIVREE is not indicated for the treatment of patients with the following conditions as IMCIVREE would not be expected to be effective:

  • Other types of obesity not related to acquired hypothalamic obesity or other FDA-approved indications for IMCIVREE, including obesity associated with other genetic syndromes and general (polygenic) obesity

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Prior serious hypersensitivity to setmelanotide or any of the excipients in IMCIVREE. Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) have been reported.

Warnings and Precautions

Disturbance in Sexual Arousal: Spontaneous penile erections and increased frequency of penile erections in males have occurred. Inform patients that these events may occur and instruct patients who have an erection lasting longer than 4 hours to seek emergency medical attention.

Depression and Suicidal Ideation: Depression and suicidal ideation have occurred. Monitor patients for new onset or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Consider discontinuing IMCIVREE if patients experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or clinically significant or persistent depression symptoms occur.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) have been reported. If suspected, advise patients to promptly seek medical attention and discontinue IMCIVREE.

Skin Hyperpigmentation, Darkening of Pre-existing Nevi, and Development of New Melanocytic Nevi: Generalized or focal increases in skin pigmentation occurred in the majority of IMCIVREE-treated patients. IMCIVREE may also cause development of new melanocytic nevi or darkening of pre-existing nevi. Perform a full body skin examination prior to initiation and periodically during treatment to monitor pre-existing and new pigmented lesions.

Acute Adrenal Insufficiency with Acquired HO: Patients with acquired HO and secondary adrenal insufficiency reported serious adverse reactions related to acute adrenal insufficiency in 5% of IMCIVREE-treated patients and no placebo-treated patients. In patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency, monitor for clinical signs of acute adrenal insufficiency.

Sodium Imbalance in Patients with Acquired HO and Central Diabetes Insipidus: Patients with acquired HO and concomitant central diabetes insipidus (DI)/arginine vasopressin (AVP) deficiency reported hyponatremia in 6% of IMCIVREE-treated patients and 2% of placebo-treated patients and hypernatremia in 5% of IMCIVREE-treated patients and 4% of placebo-treated patients. Monitor serum sodium levels with changes in fluid intake and hydration status. Adjust the doses of concomitant therapies for DI/AVP deficiency as needed.

Adverse Reactions

  • Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) included skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, and headache

Use in Specific Populations

Treatment with IMCIVREE is not recommended when breastfeeding. Discontinue IMCIVREE when pregnancy is recognized unless the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

References: 1. Roth CL, Scimia C, Shoemaker AH, et al. Setmelanotide for the treatment of acquired hypothalamic obesity: a phase 2, open-label, multicentre trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024;12(6):380-389. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00087-1 2. van Santen HM, van Schaik J, van Roessel IMAA, Beckhaus J, Boekhoff S, Müller HL. Diagnostic criteria for the hypothalamic syndrome in childhood. Eur J Endocrinol. 2023;188(2):lvad009. doi:10.1093/ejendo/lvad009 3. Rose SR, Horne VE, Bingham N, Jenkins T, Black J, Inge T. Hypothalamic obesity: 4 years of the International Registry of Hypothalamic Obesity Disorders. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018;26(11):1727-1732. doi:10.1002/oby.22315 4. Shoemaker AH, Tamaroff J. Approach to the patient with hypothalamic obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(5):1236-1242. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac678 5. Roth CL. Hypothalamic obesity in craniopharyngioma patients: disturbed energy homeostasis related to extent of hypothalamic damage and its implication for obesity intervention. J Clin Med. 2015;4(9):1774-1797. Published 2015 Sep 9. doi:10.3390/jcm4091774 6. IMCIVREE [prescribing information]. Boston, MA. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2026. 7. Data on file. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Boston, MA 8. Kanti V, Puder L, Jahnke I, et al. A melanocortin-4 receptor agonist induces skin and hair pigmentation in patients with monogenic mutations in the leptin-melanocortin pathway. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2021;34(6):307-316. doi:10.1159/000516282

Indication and Important Safety Information

Indication

IMCIVREE is indicated to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older with acquired hypothalamic obesity (HO).

Limitations of Use

IMCIVREE is not indicated for the treatment of patients with the following conditions as IMCIVREE would not be expected to be effective:

  • Other types of obesity not related to acquired hypothalamic obesity or other FDA-approved indications for IMCIVREE, including obesity associated with other genetic syndromes and general (polygenic) obesity

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Prior serious hypersensitivity to setmelanotide or any of the excipients in IMCIVREE. Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) have been reported.

Warnings and Precautions

Disturbance in Sexual Arousal: Spontaneous penile erections and increased frequency of penile erections in males have occurred. Inform patients that these events may occur and instruct patients who have an erection lasting longer than 4 hours to seek emergency medical attention.

Depression and Suicidal Ideation: Depression and suicidal ideation have occurred. Monitor patients for new onset or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Consider discontinuing IMCIVREE if patients experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or clinically significant or persistent depression symptoms occur.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) have been reported. If suspected, advise patients to promptly seek medical attention and discontinue IMCIVREE.

Skin Hyperpigmentation, Darkening of Pre-existing Nevi, and Development of New Melanocytic Nevi: Generalized or focal increases in skin pigmentation occurred in the majority of IMCIVREE-treated patients. IMCIVREE may also cause development of new melanocytic nevi or darkening of pre-existing nevi. Perform a full body skin examination prior to initiation and periodically during treatment to monitor pre-existing and new pigmented lesions.

Acute Adrenal Insufficiency with Acquired HO: Patients with acquired HO and secondary adrenal insufficiency reported serious adverse reactions related to acute adrenal insufficiency in 5% of IMCIVREE-treated patients and no placebo-treated patients. In patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency, monitor for clinical signs of acute adrenal insufficiency.

Sodium Imbalance in Patients with Acquired HO and Central Diabetes Insipidus: Patients with acquired HO and concomitant central diabetes insipidus (DI)/arginine vasopressin (AVP) deficiency reported hyponatremia in 6% of IMCIVREE-treated patients and 2% of placebo-treated patients and hypernatremia in 5% of IMCIVREE-treated patients and 4% of placebo-treated patients. Monitor serum sodium levels with changes in fluid intake and hydration status. Adjust the doses of concomitant therapies for DI/AVP deficiency as needed.

Adverse Reactions

  • Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) included skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, and headache

Use in Specific Populations

Treatment with IMCIVREE is not recommended when breastfeeding. Discontinue IMCIVREE when pregnancy is recognized unless the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

References:1. Roth CL, Scimia C, Shoemaker AH, et al. Setmelanotide for the treatment of acquired hypothalamic obesity: a phase 2, open-label, multicentre trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024;12(6):380-389. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00087-12. van Santen HM, van Schaik J, van Roessel IMAA, Beckhaus J, Boekhoff S, Müller HL. Diagnostic criteria for the hypothalamic syndrome in childhood. Eur J Endocrinol. 2023;188(2):lvad009. doi:10.1093/ejendo/lvad0093. Rose SR, Horne VE, Bingham N, Jenkins T, Black J, Inge T. Hypothalamic obesity: 4 years of the International Registry of Hypothalamic Obesity Disorders. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018;26(11):1727-1732. doi:10.1002/oby.223154. Shoemaker AH, Tamaroff J. Approach to the patient with hypothalamic obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(5):1236-1242. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac6785. Roth CL. Hypothalamic obesity in craniopharyngioma patients: disturbed energy homeostasis related to extent of hypothalamic damage and its implication for obesity intervention. J Clin Med. 2015;4(9):1774-1797. Published 2015 Sep 9. doi:10.3390/jcm40917746. IMCIVREE [prescribing information]. Boston, MA. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2026.7. Data on file. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Boston, MA8. Kanti V, Puder L, Jahnke I, et al. A melanocortin-4 receptor agonist induces skin and hair pigmentation in patients with monogenic mutations in the leptin-melanocortin pathway. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2021;34(6):307-316. doi:10.1159/000516282