Description
Uses of medication: Nusinersen is used for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the adult patient as well as in pediatric. This medication is a survival motor neuron-2 (SMN2) directed antisense oligonucleotide.
Dosage: SPINRAZA (nusinersen) injection comes as the strength of 12 mg/5 mL (2.4 mg/mL). The recommended dose of spinraza should be administered intrathecally. This drug is given in four loading doses; the first three loading doses are given within 14 days; however, the 4th loading dose is given after the 30 days of the 3rd loading dose. The maintenance spinraza dose needs to be administered once every 4-months thereafter.
Treatment Reactions: The most commonly reported nusinersen side effects may include constipation, upper respiratory infection and lower respiratory infection.
Warnings and precautions
- In patients taking spinraza treatment, renal toxicity, including potentially fatal glomerulonephritis may occur.
- Excessive use of spinraza sma may lead to renal toxicity which can be spotted by urine protein testing.
- The nusinersen (spinraza) 12 mg/5 ml is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it can affect the baby.
- Prior to each spinraza dose, patients should be monitored for the platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time and quantitative spot urine protein testing.
