Parenteral Manual

Nusinersen (NON-FORMULARY)

Disclaimer: Official controlled document is the CHEO online copy. It is the responsibility of user to ensure that any paper copy version is the same as the online version before use.

Alternate Name(s): 
SPINRAZA
Classification: 
Anti-sense oligonucleotide
Original Date: 
October 2017
Indications: 
  • Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Reconstitution and Stability: 
  • Available as 12 mg/5 mL (2.4 mg/mL) vial - clear colorless solution
  • Store refrigerated at 2 C to 8 C.  Do not freeze. Protect from light.  Keep in original packaging up to time of administration
  • If in original packaging, protected from light and at room temperature (less than 30 C) -stable 14 days
  • If removed from packaging and at room temperature (less than 25 C) - stable 30 hours
  • Vial should be taken out of refrigerator and allowed to warm to room temperature without using external heat sources, prior to administration.  The solution must be clear and colorless.  Do not use if visible particles observed or discolored.
  • Once in syringe - stable 6 hours.
  • Discard unused solution left in the vial
Compatibility: 

-  DO NOT MIX with other drugs or solutions

Administration: 

(For approved routes of administration by nursing personnel, refer to Policy for the Administration of Intravenous Medications.)

SC NO
IM NO
IV direct NO
IV intermittent infusion NO
IV continuous infusion NO
Intrathecal

YES - must remove 5 mL cerebrospinal fluid prior to administration
Usual dilution:  UNDILUTED and UNFILTERED
Time :  intrathecal bolus over 1 to 3 minutes using a spinal anesthesia needle

 

 

 

Dosage: 

(For neonatal dosages, refer to Neonatal IV Drug Manual.)

Pediatric:

  • 12 mg (5 mL) / administration
  • Initiation (4 loading doses):  12 mg as an intrathecal bolus on Days 0, 14, 28 and 58
    - If a loading dose is missed or delayed - administer as soon as possible with at least 14 days between doses 1 to 3 and 30 days between the third and fourth bolus dose
  • Maintenance:  12 mg as an intrathecal bolus every 4 months
    -  If a maintenance dose is missed or delayed it should be given as soon as possible and continue as previously scheduled

Adult:

  • Limited data in patients greater than 18 years.  Studies only in newborn to 19 years of age.

Dosage Adjustments:

Renal impairment

-   has NOT been studied in renal impairment so no dosage recommendation for adjustment exists.

-  highly concentrated in the kidneys proximal tubules and excreted by the kidney so should not be used in renal impairment.

Hepatic impairment:

-  has NOT been studied in hepatic impairment

-  NOT metabolized via cytochrome P450 so dosage adjustment is unlikely to be required 

 

Potential hazards of parenteral administration: 

Potential hazards of Intrathecal administration:

  • Post lumbar puncture syndrome (CNS leak, headache)
  • Infection

Adverse reactions:

  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Back pain
  • Pyrexia
  • Upper respiratory tract infections
  • Upper respiratory tract congestion
  • Atelectasis and hypoxia
  • Dermatitis
Notes: 
  • Metabolized via nucleases NOT cytochrome P450 pathway

Monitoring:

  • Platelet count: At baseline and prior to each dose
  • Prothrombin time and activated prothrombin time: At baseline and prior to each dose
  • Urine protein analysis: baseline and monthly

The information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only, as a guide to assist physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers in deciding on the appropriate care required for a particular patient. At all times, physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers must exercise their independent clinical judgment, based on their knowledge, training and experience, taking into account the specific facts and circumstances of each patient, when deciding on the appropriate course of investigation and/or treatment to recommend in a particular clinical situation.

CHEO has made every effort to ensure that the information contained on this website is as current and accurate as possible. However, changes can occur due to ongoing research and the constant influx of new information. Where possible, hospitals and healthcare practitioners should verify the information before acting on it.

Reliance on any information in this website is at the user's own risk. CHEO is not responsible or liable for any harm, loss or other consequences from the use or misuse of the information on this website.