706-722-9011

Locations

Piedmont Augusta

1350 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30901

Piedmont Augusta Breast Health Center

818 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 205
Augusta, GA 30901

Piedmont Augusta Summerville Campus

2260 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, GA 30904
Piedmont Augusta
ER
Wait
Time
43
min *

Serving Our Community for Over 200 Years

Piedmont Augusta (formerly University Hospital) serves the Augusta-Richmond County area and 25 counties across two states. The hospital is an 812-bed acute-care facility and part of a multi-campus system that includes three hospitals, a heart and vascular center, prompt and primary care, home health and private physician offices. Founded in 1818 as City Hospital, Piedmont Augusta has since moved through four facilities to its present location, which opened in 1970, and includes its Summerville Campus on Wrightsboro Road.

Piedmont Augusta offers state-of-the-art, comprehensive medical and surgical care that includes emergency services, cardiovascular, orthopaedics, neuroscience, oncology, bariatrics and weight management, robotic surgery and women’s services. Our cardiovascular services include state-of-the-art treatments for advanced cardiac conditions – including the Left Ventricular Assist Device, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and MitraClip for severe mitral valve regurgitation – and vascular conditions – such as the Fenestrated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Graft and the Penumbra Indigo® System for minimally invasive clot removal in arteries and veins.

Piedmont Augusta at Summerville Campus, formerly University Hospital, was founded in 1952 and joined the Piedmont family on March 1, 2022. The hospital is known for its comprehensive diagnostic services, including cardiac catheterization, magnetic resonance imaging, and osteoporosis treatment.

It offers a 24-hour, 15-bed Emergency Department, a 12-bed inpatient unit and new and enhanced imaging services. Outpatient services include Wound & Hyperbaric Services, Diabetes Services, Full-service Lab, Sleep Lab, Coumadin Clinic, Primary Care and Piedmont Heart. It offers these services in the Summerville Medical Building and in the newly renovated Occupational Medicine suite.


Other awards and recognition include:

  • Comprehensive Stroke Center
  • The American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With the Guidelines ®- Stroke Quality Award
  • The American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke(sm) Honor Roll Therapy award
  • The American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award
  • ACE™ Accreditation by Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence
  • IAC® Accreditation by Intersocietal Accreditation Commission
  • Credentialed DNV GL - Healthcare VAD Facility/CMS Certified Ventricular Assist Device Program
  • Piedmont Augusta receives Cycle Five Accreditation from Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  • BCBS Association designates Piedmont Augusta a Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care
  • Level 1 Emergency Cardiac Care Center designation from the Georgia Department of Public Health
  • Accreditation by the Commission on Cancer, a program of the American College of Surgeons
  • Credentialed as a Ventricular Assist Device facility by DNV GL
  • Full Cycle Five Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  • Blue Distinction Center+ designation for knee and hip replacement from Blue Cross Blue Shield®
  • Blue Distinction Center+ designation for spine surgery from Blue Cross Blue Shield®
  • Accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for Piedmont Augusta’s Breast Health Center, the first established breast center in our area
  • Named No. 1 in the region by “US News & World Report” and ninth in Georgia
  • Ranked “High Performing” in nine reportable conditions or procedures by “US News & World Report,” including:
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    • Colon cancer surgery
    • Heart failure
    • Heart attack
    • Stroke
    • Kidney failure
    • Knee replacement
    • Hip replacement
    • Diabetes

Piedmont Augusta (formerly known as University Hospital) became part of Piedmont Healthcare on March 1, 2022 – expanding quality health services to our community.

*Piedmont Augusta complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Piedmont MyChart

Download Piedmont MyChart

  • Connect with your care team
  • See your test results
  • Request Rx refills
  • eCheck-in before you walk in 

Download the app today!

Get Piedmont MyChart on Google Play Get Piedmont Mychart on iTunes App Store
Piedmont Augusta Hospital | Piedmont Healthcare
706-722-9011

Locations

Piedmont Augusta

1350 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30901

Piedmont Augusta Breast Health Center

818 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 205
Augusta, GA 30901

Piedmont Augusta Summerville Campus

2260 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, GA 30904
Piedmont Augusta
ER
Wait
Time
43
min *

Serving Our Community for Over 200 Years

Piedmont Augusta (formerly University Hospital) serves the Augusta-Richmond County area and 25 counties across two states. The hospital is an 812-bed acute-care facility and part of a multi-campus system that includes three hospitals, a heart and vascular center, prompt and primary care, home health and private physician offices. Founded in 1818 as City Hospital, Piedmont Augusta has since moved through four facilities to its present location, which opened in 1970, and includes its Summerville Campus on Wrightsboro Road.

Piedmont Augusta offers state-of-the-art, comprehensive medical and surgical care that includes emergency services, cardiovascular, orthopaedics, neuroscience, oncology, bariatrics and weight management, robotic surgery and women’s services. Our cardiovascular services include state-of-the-art treatments for advanced cardiac conditions – including the Left Ventricular Assist Device, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and MitraClip for severe mitral valve regurgitation – and vascular conditions – such as the Fenestrated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Graft and the Penumbra Indigo® System for minimally invasive clot removal in arteries and veins.

Piedmont Augusta at Summerville Campus, formerly University Hospital, was founded in 1952 and joined the Piedmont family on March 1, 2022. The hospital is known for its comprehensive diagnostic services, including cardiac catheterization, magnetic resonance imaging, and osteoporosis treatment.

It offers a 24-hour, 15-bed Emergency Department, a 12-bed inpatient unit and new and enhanced imaging services. Outpatient services include Wound & Hyperbaric Services, Diabetes Services, Full-service Lab, Sleep Lab, Coumadin Clinic, Primary Care and Piedmont Heart. It offers these services in the Summerville Medical Building and in the newly renovated Occupational Medicine suite.


Other awards and recognition include:

  • Comprehensive Stroke Center
  • The American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With the Guidelines ®- Stroke Quality Award
  • The American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke(sm) Honor Roll Therapy award
  • The American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award
  • ACE™ Accreditation by Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence
  • IAC® Accreditation by Intersocietal Accreditation Commission
  • Credentialed DNV GL - Healthcare VAD Facility/CMS Certified Ventricular Assist Device Program
  • Piedmont Augusta receives Cycle Five Accreditation from Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  • BCBS Association designates Piedmont Augusta a Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care
  • Level 1 Emergency Cardiac Care Center designation from the Georgia Department of Public Health
  • Accreditation by the Commission on Cancer, a program of the American College of Surgeons
  • Credentialed as a Ventricular Assist Device facility by DNV GL
  • Full Cycle Five Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  • Blue Distinction Center+ designation for knee and hip replacement from Blue Cross Blue Shield®
  • Blue Distinction Center+ designation for spine surgery from Blue Cross Blue Shield®
  • Accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for Piedmont Augusta’s Breast Health Center, the first established breast center in our area
  • Named No. 1 in the region by “US News & World Report” and ninth in Georgia
  • Ranked “High Performing” in nine reportable conditions or procedures by “US News & World Report,” including:
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    • Colon cancer surgery
    • Heart failure
    • Heart attack
    • Stroke
    • Kidney failure
    • Knee replacement
    • Hip replacement
    • Diabetes

Piedmont Augusta (formerly known as University Hospital) became part of Piedmont Healthcare on March 1, 2022 – expanding quality health services to our community.

*Piedmont Augusta complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Piedmont MyChart

Download Piedmont MyChart

  • Connect with your care team
  • See your test results
  • Request Rx refills
  • eCheck-in before you walk in 

Download the app today!

Get Piedmont MyChart on Google Play Get Piedmont Mychart on iTunes App Store
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TO
TOP

Afamelanotide (Subcutaneous route)

Pronunciation:

a-fam-e-LAN-oh-tide

Dosage Forms:

  • Implant

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Protectant, Dermatological

Uses of This Medicine:

Afamelanotide implant is used to increase pain free light exposure in patients with a history of phototoxic reactions from erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). EPP is a rare inherited disease caused by a genetic mutation that makes your skin extremely sensitive to light. Symptoms include redness, pain, swelling, and tingling sensation of the skin.

Afamelanotide works by stimulating the production of eumelanin pigment in the skin to block the penetration of light through the skin and help prevent painful skin reactions.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of afamelanotide implant in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of afamelanotide implant in the elderly.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin above your hip bone every 2 months.

You will be monitored 30 minutes after receiving the implant for any allergic reactions caused by the medicine.

Call your doctor right away if you feel the implant is not in the proper place.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure the implant is in the proper place and is working properly.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

You may have some darkening of the skin and skin lesions while receiving this medicine. A regular full body skin examination (twice yearly) is needed to check for pre-existing and new skin lesions.

Wear protective clothing and hats and stay out of any bright light, or direct sunlight especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. These would help prevent blisters, itching, rash, redness, swelling, or burning sensation of the skin.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common
Bruising, discoloration of the skin, itching, redness, swelling, or pain at the implant site
Less common
Cough
fever
sneezing
sore throat
Incidence not known
Chest tightness
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
hives, itching, skin rash
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness of the skin
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common
Nausea
Less common
Darkening of the skin or lips
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Last Updated: 3/11/2025

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

All rights reserved.



The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
All rights reserved.

Piedmont Augusta Hospital | Piedmont Healthcare
706-722-9011

Locations

Piedmont Augusta

1350 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30901

Piedmont Augusta Breast Health Center

818 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 205
Augusta, GA 30901

Piedmont Augusta Summerville Campus

2260 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, GA 30904
Piedmont Augusta
ER
Wait
Time
43
min *

Serving Our Community for Over 200 Years

Piedmont Augusta (formerly University Hospital) serves the Augusta-Richmond County area and 25 counties across two states. The hospital is an 812-bed acute-care facility and part of a multi-campus system that includes three hospitals, a heart and vascular center, prompt and primary care, home health and private physician offices. Founded in 1818 as City Hospital, Piedmont Augusta has since moved through four facilities to its present location, which opened in 1970, and includes its Summerville Campus on Wrightsboro Road.

Piedmont Augusta offers state-of-the-art, comprehensive medical and surgical care that includes emergency services, cardiovascular, orthopaedics, neuroscience, oncology, bariatrics and weight management, robotic surgery and women’s services. Our cardiovascular services include state-of-the-art treatments for advanced cardiac conditions – including the Left Ventricular Assist Device, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and MitraClip for severe mitral valve regurgitation – and vascular conditions – such as the Fenestrated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Graft and the Penumbra Indigo® System for minimally invasive clot removal in arteries and veins.

Piedmont Augusta at Summerville Campus, formerly University Hospital, was founded in 1952 and joined the Piedmont family on March 1, 2022. The hospital is known for its comprehensive diagnostic services, including cardiac catheterization, magnetic resonance imaging, and osteoporosis treatment.

It offers a 24-hour, 15-bed Emergency Department, a 12-bed inpatient unit and new and enhanced imaging services. Outpatient services include Wound & Hyperbaric Services, Diabetes Services, Full-service Lab, Sleep Lab, Coumadin Clinic, Primary Care and Piedmont Heart. It offers these services in the Summerville Medical Building and in the newly renovated Occupational Medicine suite.


Other awards and recognition include:

  • Comprehensive Stroke Center
  • The American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With the Guidelines ®- Stroke Quality Award
  • The American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke(sm) Honor Roll Therapy award
  • The American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award
  • ACE™ Accreditation by Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence
  • IAC® Accreditation by Intersocietal Accreditation Commission
  • Credentialed DNV GL - Healthcare VAD Facility/CMS Certified Ventricular Assist Device Program
  • Piedmont Augusta receives Cycle Five Accreditation from Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  • BCBS Association designates Piedmont Augusta a Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care
  • Level 1 Emergency Cardiac Care Center designation from the Georgia Department of Public Health
  • Accreditation by the Commission on Cancer, a program of the American College of Surgeons
  • Credentialed as a Ventricular Assist Device facility by DNV GL
  • Full Cycle Five Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  • Blue Distinction Center+ designation for knee and hip replacement from Blue Cross Blue Shield®
  • Blue Distinction Center+ designation for spine surgery from Blue Cross Blue Shield®
  • Accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for Piedmont Augusta’s Breast Health Center, the first established breast center in our area
  • Named No. 1 in the region by “US News & World Report” and ninth in Georgia
  • Ranked “High Performing” in nine reportable conditions or procedures by “US News & World Report,” including:
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    • Colon cancer surgery
    • Heart failure
    • Heart attack
    • Stroke
    • Kidney failure
    • Knee replacement
    • Hip replacement
    • Diabetes

Piedmont Augusta (formerly known as University Hospital) became part of Piedmont Healthcare on March 1, 2022 – expanding quality health services to our community.

*Piedmont Augusta complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Piedmont MyChart

Download Piedmont MyChart

  • Connect with your care team
  • See your test results
  • Request Rx refills
  • eCheck-in before you walk in 

Download the app today!

Get Piedmont MyChart on Google Play Get Piedmont Mychart on iTunes App Store