Nusinersen (Intrathecal)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 9, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Spinraza

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Musculoskeletal Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Antisense Oligonucleotide

Uses for nusinersen

Nusinersen injection is used to treat children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

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

Before using nusinersen

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 nusinersen, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to nusinersen 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.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Spinraza™ in children.

Geriatric

Use of Spinraza™ is not indicated in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

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.

Interactions with 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.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

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.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of nusinersen. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems or
• Kidney problems or
• Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets), severe—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper use of nusinersen

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you or your child nusinersen in a hospital. Nusinersen is given through a needle placed into your spinal cord.

Nusinersen needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you or your child miss a dose of nusinersen, call your doctor for instructions.