nusinersen

Action and Spectrum

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

>10%: 

Headache  

Lower respiratory infection 

Back pain  

Postlumbar puncture syndrome  

Upper respiratory infection  

Elevated urine protein  

Constipation  

Atelectasis  

Thrombocytopenia 

1-10%: 

Upper respiratory tract congestion  

Aspiration  

Ear infection

Black Box Warning

Contraindication / Caution

Nusinersen is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the active ingredient. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

No data is available regarding any fetal defects caused due to drug intake during pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding warnings:  

No data is available regarding the excretion of the drug in breast milk. 

Pregnancy category: 

• Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies do not show risk to the fetus in the first/later trimester.        
• Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women        
• Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.       
• Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.        
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.        
• Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category 

Pharmacology

Adminstartion

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: nusinersen 

Pronounced: nue-si-NER-sen 

Why do we use nusinersen? 

Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide. It is used to treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy.