We’re ready to help

Talk with us. For more information about generalized lipodystrophy (GL) and Myalept, we invite you to speak with a Patient Education Manager. With a phone call, we can provide helpful guidance, answer your specific questions, or guide you to the appropriate resources.

Comprehensive support. To help you add Myalept to your current generalized lipodystrophy (GL) treatment plan, we offer a personalized support program called ByMySide with a team that’s built around you. ByMySide provides the support services and resources you need when you need them. When you sign up for the ByMySide program, you can access these support services at no cost to you.

Let’s connect. Talk with a Patient Education Manager.

Personalized assistance and guidance

Money

Insurance and financial assistance options

ByMySide aims to make Myalept available and affordable to people with GL. Your dedicated ByMySide Coordinator works to make the insurance process easier for you. He or she can help you understand the cost of your treatment and refer you to independent financial assistance programs. Your Coordinator will also help determine if you qualify for the ByMySide Copay Program*, which covers costs of copayments or coinsurance at 100%, up to the program maximum, for eligible patients.

Nurse

Nurse education sessions

ByMySide registered nurses personally guide you through what you need to know about managing GL with Myalept. You can even schedule an in-person injection training session—at no cost to you—at your home or your doctor’s office to learn how to mix and inject Myalept.

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Ongoing support

The ByMySide team can help you stay on track with your Myalept treatment by calling to remind you about refills and to ensure you have enough Myalept day to day. They can also provide you with additional supplies necessary for injecting Myalept and sharps disposal containers upon request.

Specialty pharmacy services

Myalept is available only through the ByMySide Specialty Pharmacy Partners. Your Specialty Pharmacy will fill your prescription each month and deliver it directly to you whether you are at home or at work or even if you are traveling or moving. The Specialty Pharmacy also provides information on possible interactions with any other medications you may be taking, so be sure to tell the pharmacist and your doctor about all your medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements. In the event of an emergency, call 1-855-6MYALEPT (1-855-669-2537) for 24/7 pharmacist and nurse assistance.

We’re here to help.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (ET): 1-855-6MYALEPT (1-855-669-2537)

Helpful Tools

In addition to support and guidance, we offer educational and informational materials to help you learn more or get started on your GL treatment plan. View and print the tools below by clicking on the PDF icon.

Questions for your Doctor
Click to download

Important questions you can ask your doctor before starting Myalept and throughout your treatment.

Do's and don'ts for taking Myalept
Click to download

Important information to keep in mind while taking Myalept in addition to reading the Instructions For Use.

Instructions for Use
Click to download

Always read these instructions for full information before taking Myalept.

Myalept brochure
Click to download

A helpful overview you can print out so it’s always handy.

Frequently Asked Questions
Click to download

Common questions about Myalept at a glance.

Advocacy Groups

These groups can provide information, support, and guidance for people living with a rare disease including GL.

Lipodystrophy United (LU)

Lipodystrophy United (LU) is an organization of individuals living with lipodystrophy, including GL. The mission of LU is to provide an interactive community that makes it easier for people affected by lipodystrophy to get support and education. LU serves as a resource to increase awareness in the general population as well as the medical and insurance communities.

Connect with the LU community to meet others like you who have GL and to share your own story. Join the effort to spread awareness of lipodystrophy and help people and their families living with this rare disease.

To learn more, visit lipodystrophyunited.org or go to the Lipodystrophy United Facebook page.

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

NORD is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve those people.

Along with its more than 250 patient organization members, NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and patient services. The organization provides a unified voice for people with rare disorders—and the parents and other caregivers who help them—so that they will not have to fight their battle alone.

To learn more, visit rarediseases.org

Global Genes™

The mission of Global Genes™ is to build awareness, educate the global community, and provide critical connections and resources that equip advocates to become activists for their disease.

To learn more, visit globalgenes.org

RareConnect

RareConnect is an online platform that provides people from around the world with a virtual place to talk about their experiences living with a rare disease.

To learn more, visit rareconnect.org

Frequently asked questions about Myalept®

Is Myalept approved by the FDA?

In 2014, Myalept was approved by the FDA to be used along with a doctor-recommended diet to treat complications of not having enough leptin in people with generalized lipodystrophy (GL).

How long has Myalept been used by people with GL?

Metreleptin has been used and studied since 2000. It was named Myalept when it was approved by the FDA in 2014.

What diet should I follow while taking Myalept?

Your doctor is the best resource for nutrition recommendations. Work with your doctor to develop a nutrition plan that is best for you.

Does Myalept restore fat tissue in people with GL?

While Myalept replaces the leptin missing in people with GL, it does not restore body fat.

Can I get Myalept at my local pharmacy where I get all my other prescriptions?

Myalept is not available at local pharmacies. It is available only through certified pharmacies that are enrolled in the Myalept REMS Program. Myalept is delivered right to your door through one of our Specialty Pharmacy Partners.

How much does Myalept cost?

Once your doctor has made the decision to prescribe Myalept, your Specialty Pharmacy will do a benefit verification with your insurance company to identify your out-of-pocket costs related to Myalept. Call ByMySide at 1-855-6MYALEPT (1-855-669-2537) to learn about your options including the ByMySide Copay Program,* which covers costs of copayments or coinsurance at 100%, up to the program maximum, for eligible patients. If you are not eligible to participate in the ByMySide Copay Program, ByMySide, may refer you to third-party patient assistance programs that may be able to help you with your out-of-pocket costs.

If I have questions about mixing, injecting, or storing Myalept, where can I get answers?

Please review the complete Instructions for Use included in each Myalept shipment. If you have trouble finding what you need, you can also contact ByMySide for assistance. You can schedule an in-person injection training session, at no cost to you, with a ByMySide registered nurse. The nurse will come to your home or to your doctor’s office to teach you how to mix and inject Myalept.

Are there smaller needles available for injecting my child?

Ask your doctor about prescribing the smallest possible needle to use for injecting Myalept to your child. Also, a ByMySide registered nurse can come directly to your home or doctor’s office to provide training, at no cost to you, on how to properly inject Myalept.

Can I stop taking Myalept at any time?

Do not stop taking Myalept without consulting with your doctor. Stopping Myalept suddenly may cause a serious problem with your pancreas (pancreatitis) and very high triglycerides. You should take Myalept once a day every day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

How should I travel with Myalept?

Myalept is portable, as long as you have a cool place to store it. Myalept should be stored between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). Contact a ByMySide Coordinator at 1-855-6MYALEPT (1-855-669-2537) to learn how to travel with your Myalept.

*The ByMySide Copay Program is not valid for prescriptions eligible to be reimbursed, in whole or in part, by state or federally funded healthcare programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, VA/DOD, or any state prescription drug assistance programs. Other eligibility requirements may apply. Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reserves the right to discontinue or modify the ByMySide Copay Program at any time.

Let's connect

Whether you want more information, have questions, or are looking for resources and support, we're by your side. Connect with a Patient Education Manager today to learn more.

Risk of Neutralizing antibodies and risk of lymphoma.

What is Myalept?

Myalept (metreleptin) is a leptin replacement therapy used with a doctor-recommended diet to treat problems caused by not having enough leptin (leptin deficiency) in people with generalized lipodystrophy.

It is not known if Myalept is safe and effective when used to treat problems (complications) caused by partial lipodystrophy or to treat liver disease, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Myalept should not be used to treat people with HIV-related lipodystrophy or people with metabolic disease, including diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia, without signs or symptoms of congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy.

Important Safety Information

Myalept is only available through a restricted program called the Myalept Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Your doctor must be enrolled and certified in the program in order to prescribe Myalept.

Myalept may cause serious side effects, including:

risk for developing certain proteins called neutralizing antibodies that may reduce how well your own leptin or Myalept works. Side effects of these antibodies may include infection, problems with blood sugar (including diabetes), or an increase in triglycerides
increased risk of a type of blood cancer called lymphoma

You should not take Myalept if you:

have general obesity not caused by a congenital leptin deficiency
are allergic to metreleptin or any of the ingredients in Myalept. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching (hives), swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, fainting or dizziness, rapid heartbeat.

Before using Myalept, tell you doctor if you have any medical conditions including if you:

have or have had problems with your blood cells, including low blood cell counts (especially your white blood cells), bone marrow, immune system, pancreas, swollen lymph nodes, lymphoma, high blood triglyceride levels, or use insulin or a sulfonylurea
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant as it is unknown if Myalept will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while using Myalept, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with a program to collect information about the outcomes of moms and babies exposed to Myalept during pregnancy. You can enroll in the Myalept program by calling 1-855-669-2537
are nursing or plan to nurse. You should not nurse while you take Myalept

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Other possible side effects

The most common side effects of Myalept include headache, low blood sugar, decreased weight, and/or abdominal pain.

For newborns and infants, mix Myalept with sterile water for injection (preservative-free) (WFI). Serious side effects including death have happened in newborns or infants who have received the preservative benzyl alcohol. Bacteriostatic water for injection contains benzyl alcohol and it should not be used to mix Myalept for newborns and infants.

You may get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if you take Myalept with other medicines used to lower blood sugar, such as insulin or sulfonylurea. Your doses of these medications may need to be lowered while you use Myalept. Tell your doctor right away if you experience shakiness, sweating, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, or a jittery feeling because these may be signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Myalept may worsen symptoms caused by certain problems in your immune system (autoimmune disorder). Ask your doctor about what symptoms you should watch for that may require further testing.

Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Myalept. For more information, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Take Myalept exactly as your doctor instructs you.

This is the most important information about Myalept. For more detailed information, please see the Medication Guide, Instructions for Use and Prescribing Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Photographs on this website feature people living with GL and their caregivers.