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System Formulary Update
Fluocinolone acetonide (Yutiq®) Intravitreal Implant

Situation

Fluocinolone acetonide (Yutiq®) has been approved for addition to the UNC Health Medication Formulary.

Background

Fluocinolone acetonide is a synthetic corticosteroid that exhibits anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties to treat chronic non-infectious posterior uveitis. For adult patients, administer one intravitreal implant (0.18 mg) via intravitreal injection. One implant provides an initial drug release rate of 0.25 mcg/day and lasts for 36 months and does not need to be removed. After 36 months, the patient will be reassessed for additional implant needs.

It was reviewed by the System P&T Committee in July 2022 for formulary addition.

Assessment/Recommendations

Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (Yutiq®) is considered second-line therapy. Compared to fluocinolone acetonide (Retisert®), fluocinolone acetonide (Yutiq®) has a lower rate of drug release, making it potentially less effective in more severe cases of NIU. Fluocinolone acetonide (Yutiq®) does provide a longer duration of treatment than the dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®), which lasts 6 months. This may be helpful in cases of patient non-compliance.

The P&T Committee voted to APPROVE the addition of Yutiq® to System Formulary WITH RESTRICTION to  use only in the outpatient/clinic setting (ie, not for inpatient use).

Formulary/Epic changes will Go-Live on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.