FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Amgen By Your Side FAQs

  • What is Amgen By Your Side?
    Amgen By Your Side is a patient support program designed specifically for you, someone prescribed PROCYSBI® (cysteamine bitartrate). After you have enrolled, you will be paired with a dedicated support partner, called a Patient Access Liaison (PAL). Your PAL will serve as your partner, providing nonmedical, personalized support to help as you navigate your unique experience, including information on insurance, financial support options, upcoming appointments, and other patient support services.
  • Is Amgen By Your Side free of charge?
    There is no cost to enroll, and there are two ways to join:
    • Option 1: Connect with a Patient Access Liaison (PAL) to help you explore enrollment options. Call 1-855-888-4004.
    • Option 2: Sign up through your doctor’s office. They can start the enrollment on AmgenByYourSide.com and submit it on your behalf. Patient consent is required.
  • Will my treatment be covered by my insurance?
    No matter your current financial situation, we are here to help. Whether you have commercial, government, or no insurance, the Amgen By Your Side team is committed to helping you understand your insurance coverage criteria and all available financial support options.
  • Will I be eligible for financial support?
    You may be eligible to pay $0 through our Amgen Commercial Co-Pay Program.* Patients with commercial insurance only.*
  • How do I enroll?
    Once you and your doctor (and/or healthcare team) decide that an Amgen treatment is right for you, enrolling in Amgen By Your Side is easy. There is no cost to enroll, and there are two ways to join:
    • Option 1: Connect with a Patient Access Liaison (PAL) to help you explore enrollment options. Call 1-855-888-4004.
    • Option 2: Sign up through your doctor’s office. They can start the enrollment on AmgenByYourSide.com and submit it on your behalf. Patient consent is required.
    Once enrollment is complete, your PAL will be your dedicated partner to help you get started and continue on your treatment, as prescribed by your doctor.
  • What is a Patient Access Liaison (PAL)?

    The Amgen By Your Side Team is led by a Patient Access Liaison (PAL). The PAL is a dedicated support partner who helps investigate, explain, and educate on the steps in your treatment experience. They are your partner to support and champion you while accomplishing your treatment goals.

    The PAL can educate and assist you with:

    • Learning about insurance coverage criteria and approval process
    • Understanding financial support options
    • Discussing what to expect at the start of treatment
    • Determining how treatment, as prescribed, can fit into your routine
    • Receiving reminders to help you stay on your Amgen rare disease medicine, as prescribed
    • Discovering ways to connect with others, if interested
    • Providing information about additional resources or advocacy groups

For more information, or if you have specific
questions, call 1-855-888-4004

*The Amgen Commercial Co-Pay Program may be available to patients who meet the following minimum criteria:

  • Patient’s prescription cannot be paid in part or in full by any government-funded program including but not limited to: Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, CHAMPUS, Department of Defense (DOD), TRICARE, or any state, patient foundation, or other pharmaceutical program
  • Patient is prescribed a covered Amgen rare disease medication for an indication approved by the Food and Drug Administration; the indication for each product is shown in its prescribing information
  • Patient is a resident of the United States
  • Patient must be commercially insured and have financial responsibility for a portion of the drug and/or infusion cost if applicable

The assistance offered under this co-pay program is subject to additional terms and conditions, including but not limited to the following:

Terms and Conditions: Offer cannot be combined with any rebate or coupon, free trial, or similar offer for the specified prescription. Not valid for prescriptions reimbursed in whole or in part by any government-funded program including but not limited to Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, CHAMPUS, DOD, TRICARE, or any state, patient foundation, or other pharmaceutical program. Patients who are residents of Massachusetts or Rhode Island are not eligible for administration support. Offer good only in the United States at participating specialty pharmacies or sites of care. Offer not valid where otherwise prohibited by law, for example by applicable state law prohibiting co-pay cards. Amgen reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend offer without notice. The selling, purchasing, trading, or counterfeiting of any co-pay card or benefits is prohibited by law. This co-pay program is not insurance and is not intended to substitute for insurance. Age for eligibility is dependent on product indication.

Participating Pharmacies or Healthcare Providers: By using this co-pay program, you acknowledge and confirm that the prescription will not be reimbursed in whole or in part by any government-funded program (such as, without limitation, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, DOD, TRICARE) and the patient and prescription meet the eligibility criteria set forth in the terms and conditions. You are responsible for reporting the receipt of the co-pay program benefits as required by an insurer, payor, or applicable law or regulation.

Patients: By enrolling in this co-pay program, you acknowledge and confirm that you and the prescription meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the terms and conditions, including that the prescription will not be reimbursed in whole or in part by any government-funded program (such as, without limitation, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, DOD, TRICARE). You may not seek any claims to government payors or other payors or insurers for this prescription. You may not seek reimbursement from any health savings, flexible savings, or other healthcare reimbursement account for any amounts received from the co-pay program. You are responsible for reporting the receipt of the co-pay program benefits as required by an insurer, payor, or applicable law or regulation.

USE and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important safety information I should know about PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Skin, bone, and joint problems. People treated with high doses of cysteamine bitartrate may develop abnormal changes of their skin and bones, such as stretch marks, bone injuries (such as fractures), bone deformities, and joint problems. Check your skin while taking PROCYSBI. Tell your doctor if you notice any skin changes or problems with your bones or joints. Your doctor will check you for these problems.
  • Skin rash. Skin rash is common with cysteamine bitartrate and may sometimes be severe. Tell your doctor right away if you get a skin rash. Your dose of PROCYSBI may need to be decreased until the rash goes away. If the rash is severe, your doctor may tell you to stop taking PROCYSBI. 
  • Stomach and bowel (intestinal) problems. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate may develop ulcers and bleeding in their stomach or bowel. People treated with PROCYSBI may also develop abnormal swelling and narrowing of the large bowel which must be treated promptly. Tell your doctor right away if you get abdominal pain, bloody or persistent diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, vomit blood, poor weight gain or weight loss.
  • Central nervous system symptoms. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate develop seizures, depression, and become very sleepy. The medicine may affect how your brain is working (encephalopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms.
  • Low white blood cell count and certain abnormal liver function blood tests. Your doctor should check you for these problems.
  • Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) has happened in some people who take immediate-release cysteamine bitartrate. This is a condition where there is high pressure in the fluid around the brain. Your doctor should do eye examinations to find and treat this problem early.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking PROCYSBI: headache, buzzing or “whooshing” sound in the ear, dizziness, nausea, double vision, blurry vision, loss of vision, pain behind the eye, or pain with eye movement.

What is PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI (cysteamine bitartrate) delayed-release capsules and delayed-release oral granules is a prescription medicine used to treat nephropathic cystinosis in adults and children 1 year of age and older. It is not known if PROCYSBI is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.

Do not take PROCYSBI if you are allergic to penicillamine or cysteamine.

Before taking PROCYSBI, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • drink alcohol.
  • have a skin rash or bone problems.
  • have or have had stomach or bowel (intestinal) problems including ulcers or bleeding.
  • have a history of seizures, lack of energy, unusual sleepiness, depression, or changes in your ability to think clearly.
  • have liver or blood problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PROCYSBI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think that you are pregnant. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking PROCYSBI during pregnancy.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment with PROCYSBI. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take PROCYSBI.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking PROCYSBI?

  • Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how PROCYSBI affects you. PROCYSBI can make you sleepy or less alert than normal.
  • Do not drink alcohol if you take PROCYSBI. Drinking alcohol while taking PROCYSBI may change how PROCYSBI works and may cause an increase in the amount of PROCYSBI in your blood that may cause serious side effects.

What are the possible side effects of PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about PROCYSBI?"

The most common side effects of PROCYSBI include: vomiting, nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, pink eye, diarrhea, cold, tiredness, flu, headache, problems with body salts or electrolytes, infection of ear, nose or throat, joint pain.

These are not all the possible side effects of PROCYSBI. Call your doctor for medical information about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional important safety information, click here for the Patient Package Insert and discuss with your doctor.  

USE and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important safety information I should know about PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Skin, bone, and joint problems. People treated with high doses of cysteamine bitartrate may develop abnormal changes of their skin and bones, such as stretch marks, bone injuries (such as fractures), bone deformities, and joint problems. Check your skin while taking PROCYSBI. Tell your doctor if you notice any skin changes or problems with your bones or joints. Your doctor will check you for these problems.
  • Skin rash. Skin rash is common with cysteamine bitartrate and may sometimes be severe. Tell your doctor right away if you get a skin rash. Your dose of PROCYSBI may need to be decreased until the rash goes away. If the rash is severe, your doctor may tell you to stop taking PROCYSBI. 
  • Stomach and bowel (intestinal) problems. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate may develop ulcers and bleeding in their stomach or bowel. People treated with PROCYSBI may also develop abnormal swelling and narrowing of the large bowel which must be treated promptly. Tell your doctor right away if you get abdominal pain, bloody or persistent diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, vomit blood, poor weight gain or weight loss.
  • Central nervous system symptoms. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate develop seizures, depression, and become very sleepy. The medicine may affect how your brain is working (encephalopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms.
  • Low white blood cell count and certain abnormal liver function blood tests. Your doctor should check you for these problems.
  • Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) has happened in some people who take immediate-release cysteamine bitartrate. This is a condition where there is high pressure in the fluid around the brain. Your doctor should do eye examinations to find and treat this problem early.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking PROCYSBI: headache, buzzing or “whooshing” sound in the ear, dizziness, nausea, double vision, blurry vision, loss of vision, pain behind the eye, or pain with eye movement.

What is PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI (cysteamine bitartrate) delayed-release capsules and delayed-release oral granules is a prescription medicine used to treat nephropathic cystinosis in adults and children 1 year of age and older. It is not known if PROCYSBI is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.

Do not take PROCYSBI if you are allergic to penicillamine or cysteamine.

Before taking PROCYSBI, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • drink alcohol.
  • have a skin rash or bone problems.
  • have or have had stomach or bowel (intestinal) problems including ulcers or bleeding.
  • have a history of seizures, lack of energy, unusual sleepiness, depression, or changes in your ability to think clearly.
  • have liver or blood problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PROCYSBI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think that you are pregnant. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking PROCYSBI during pregnancy.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment with PROCYSBI. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take PROCYSBI.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking PROCYSBI?

  • Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how PROCYSBI affects you. PROCYSBI can make you sleepy or less alert than normal.
  • Do not drink alcohol if you take PROCYSBI. Drinking alcohol while taking PROCYSBI may change how PROCYSBI works and may cause an increase in the amount of PROCYSBI in your blood that may cause serious side effects.

What are the possible side effects of PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about PROCYSBI?"

The most common side effects of PROCYSBI include: vomiting, nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, pink eye, diarrhea, cold, tiredness, flu, headache, problems with body salts or electrolytes, infection of ear, nose or throat, joint pain.

These are not all the possible side effects of PROCYSBI. Call your doctor for medical information about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional important safety information, click here for the Patient Package Insert and discuss with your doctor.