Frequently Asked Questions

Heron Connect®

What is Heron Connect?

Heron Connect is a suite of programs and services that provide access and reimbursement support related to the use of ZYNRELEF®. Our access solutions are designed to assist with questions related to billing and coding, payer coverage, benefit verification, drug returns, and more. Heron Connect is staffed by a dedicated team of Reimbursement Counselors who can answer questions and provide support tools.*

What type of prescriber can sign up patients for Heron Connect?

Any licensed prescriber can sign up patients for Heron Connect programs. Authorized prescribers may vary by state. In addition to medical doctors, prescribers may include physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Is there a patient support line for patients?

Patients can call Heron Connect patient services at 1-844-HERON11 (1-844-437-6611) from 8:30 am to 5 pm ET, Monday through Friday.

What specific reimbursement and support services can Heron provide to our office?

Heron Therapeutics, Inc., provides offices with a variety of reimbursement and support services managed through a dedicated Reimbursement Counselor. Services include:

  • Patient-specific insurance verification, including eligibility and coverage information such as patient-specific benefits and anticipated out-of-pocket cost sharing responsibility for medical plan coverage based on the patient’s benefit design
  • Appeals support, including contacting the payer to understand the payer’s appeal process and providing appeal forms and guidance so that your office can complete the steps necessary to submit an appeal to the payer
  • Billing and coding support provided by dedicated Reimbursement Counselors to educate practices on billing, coding, and claims submission inquiries.

Does Heron offer any form of replacement policy?

Heron Therapeutics, Inc., offers a Drug Replacement Policy. In the event the ZYNRELEF vial or another ZYNRELEF kit component is expired, broken, damaged, or missing from a purchased kit or has a physical or mechanical defect, Heron Therapeutics, Inc., will provide a replacement product kit. For more information, call Heron Connect at 1-844-HERON11 (1-844-437-6611) from 8:30 am to 5 pm ET, Monday through Friday.

Can Heron Connect help find other sources of financial support for patients, like support from foundations?

Heron Connect can research potential sources of financial support that might be available through independent charitable foundations.

  1. Heron Therapeutics, Inc., reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change the qualifications of Heron Connect at any time. Product support programs offered by Heron Therapeutics, Inc., do not impose any purchase obligation at any time or in any manner. Use of ZYNRELEF may be discontinued at any time, without penalty.
  2. Determination will be made by the manufacturer of ZYNRELEF.

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INDICATION

ZYNRELEF is indicated in adults for instillation to produce postsurgical analgesia for up to 72 hours after soft tissue and orthopedic procedures including foot and ankle, and other procedures in which direct exposure to articular cartilage is avoided.

Limitations of Use: Safety and efficacy have not been established in highly vascular surgeries, such as intrathoracic, large 4 or more level spinal, and head and neck procedures.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use.
  • ZYNRELEF is contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
  • NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events.

Contraindications

ZYNRELEF is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylactic reactions and serious skin reactions) to any amide local anesthetic, NSAIDs, or other components of ZYNRELEF; with history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDS have been reported in such patients); undergoing obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia; or undergoing CABG.

Warnings and Precautions

Dose-Related Toxicity: Monitor cardiovascular and respiratory vital signs and patient's state of consciousness after application of ZYNRELEF. When using ZYNRELEF with other local anesthetics, overall local anesthetic exposure must be considered through 72 hours.

Hepatotoxicity: If abnormal liver tests persist or worsen, perform a clinical evaluation of the patient.

Hypertension: Patients taking some antihypertensive medication may have impaired response to these therapies when taking NSAIDs. Monitor blood pressure.

Heart Failure and Edema: Avoid use of ZYNRELEF in patients with severe heart failure unless benefits are expected to outweigh risk of worsening heart failure.

Renal Toxicity: Monitor renal function in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, heart failure, dehydration, or hypovolemia. Avoid use of ZYNRELEF in patients with advanced renal disease unless benefits are expected to outweigh risk of worsening renal failure.

Anaphylactic Reactions: Seek emergency help if an anaphylactic reaction occurs.

Risk of Joint Cartilage Necrosis and Degeneration with Unapproved Intra-articular Use: Animal studies evaluating the effects of ZYNRELEF following intra-articular administration in the knee joint demonstrated cartilage necrosis and degeneration.

Chondrolysis: Limit exposure to articular cartilage due to the potential risk of chondrolysis.

Methemoglobinemia: Cases have been reported with local anesthetic use.

Serious Skin Reactions: NSAIDs, including meloxicam, can cause serious skin adverse reactions. If symptoms present, evaluate clinically.

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): If symptoms are present, evaluate clinically.

Fetal Toxicity: Due to the risk of oligohydramnios/fetal renal dysfunction and premature closure of the ductus arteriosus with NSAIDS, limit use of ZYNRELEF between about 20 to 30 weeks gestation, and avoid use after about 30 weeks.

Hematologic Toxicity: Monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit in patients with any signs or symptoms of anemia.

Drug Interactions

Drugs That Interfere with Hemostasis: Monitor patients for bleeding who are using ZYNRELEF with drugs that interfere with hemostasis (eg, warfarin, aspirin, SSRIs/SNRIs).

ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs), or Beta-Blockers: Use with ZYNRELEF may diminish the antihypertensive effect of these drugs. Monitor blood pressure.

ACE Inhibitors and ARBs: Use with ZYNRELEF in elderly, volume-depleted, or those with renal impairment may result in deterioration of renal function. In such high-risk patients, monitor for signs of worsening renal function.

Diuretics: NSAIDs can reduce natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazide diuretics. Monitor patients to assure diuretic efficacy including antihypertensive effects.

Use in Specific Populations

Infertility: NSAIDs are associated with reversible infertility. Consider avoidance of ZYNRELEF in women who have difficulties conceiving.

Severe Hepatic Impairment: Only use if benefits are expected to outweigh risks; monitor for signs of worsening liver function.

Severe Renal Impairment: Not recommended.

Adverse Reactions

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) in controlled clinical trials with ZYNRELEF are soft tissue procedures: vomiting and orthopedic procedures: constipation and headache.

Report side effects to Heron at 1-844-437-6611 or to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.

For more information about ZYNRELEF, please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, or visit www.ZYNRELEF.com.