Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol)

Indications for Prior Authorization

Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol)
  • For diagnosis of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    Indicated for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in adults.

Criteria

Relyvrio

Prior Authorization (Initial Authorization)

Length of Approval: 6 Month(s)

  • Diagnosis amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • AND
  • Diagnosis of ALS is further supported by neurogenic changes in electromyography (EMG) [2]
  • AND
  • Patient has had ALS symptoms for less than or equal to 18 months
  • AND
  • Patient has a percent (%) forced vital capacity (%FVC) or slow vital capacity (%SVC) greater than or equal to 60% at the start of treatment
  • AND
  • Patient does not require permanent noninvasive ventilation or invasive ventilation
  • AND
  • Prescribed by or in consultation with a neurologist with expertise in the diagnosis of ALS
Relyvrio

Prior Authorization (Reauthorization)

Length of Approval: 6 Month(s)

  • Patient demonstrates positive clinical response to therapy (e.g., slowed disease progression)
  • AND
  • Prescribed by or in consultation with a neurologist with expertise in the diagnosis of ALS
P & T Revisions

2023-12-13, 2022-11-30

  1. Paganoni S, Macklin EA, Hendrix S, et al. Trial of Sodium Phenylbutyrate–Taurursodiol for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;383(10):919-930.
  2. Andersen PM, Abrahams S, Borasio GD, et al. EFNS guidelines on the Clinical Management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (MALS) - revised report of an EFNS task force. European Journal of Neurology.
  3. Paganoni S, Hendrix S, Dickson SP, et al. Long-term survival of participants in the CENTAUR trial of sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle & Nerve. 2021;63(1):31-39.
  4. ClinicalTrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03127514. Accessed May 26, 2022.
  5. Galvez-Jimenez N, Goyal NA. Disease-modifying treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. UpToDate Web site. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed May 26, 2022.
  6. Elman LB, McCluskey, L. Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other forms of motor neuron disease. UpToDate Web site. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed May 26, 2022.
  7. Relyvrio Prescribing Information. Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Cambridge, MA. September 2022.

  1. Great care should be taken to rule out diseases that can masquerade as ALS. An evolution of atypical symptoms and a lack of progression of typical symptoms are the most important "red flags" suggesting an alternative diagnosis. [2]

  • 2023-12-13: 2023 Annual Review - update to reauth language, no other criteria changes.
  • 2022-11-30: New Program

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