ZOLGENSMA ratings & reviews

Onasemnogene Abeparvovec
Company: Novartis
Brand: ZOLGENSMA
Drug class: Central and Peripheral Nervous System
+2 more
Central and Peripheral Nervous System, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Agents, Gene Replacement Therapy for SMA

Sermo AI Overview

  • Zolgensma is primarily indicated for children and shows potential in slowing disease progression and improving symptoms, though experiences with efficacy vary among patients. Concerns about affordability and approval processes are common.
  • While overall tolerability of Zolgensma is favorable, patients report variable adherence, indicating that consistent use can be a challenge for some.
Based on insights from Sermo’s triple verified physicians

Description

ZOLGENSMA is a suspension form of gene therapy using an adeno-associated viral vector for intravenous infusion. It contains a transgene for the human survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. The vials come with a concentration of 2.0 × 10 vg/mL in volumes of 5.5 mL or 8.3 mL, suitable for intravenous administration. Key inactive ingredients include Tris, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and poloxamer 188.

Source: This information is sourced from FDA and powered by AI

Dosage & Administration

How should I use this medication?

This medication is infused into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is not for regular use.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Side Effects

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: -Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat -Hemolytic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes -Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell -Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded -Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet -Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue -Unusual bruising or bleeding Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): -Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings & Precautions

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions: -Dehydration -Infection -Liver disease -An unusual or allergic reaction to onasemnogene abeparvovec, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives -Pregnant or trying to get pregnant -Breastfeeding

What may interact with this medication?

Interactions are not expected.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication. Talk to your care team about your vaccination history. To lower your risk of infection, you may need certain vaccines before you start this medication. This medication can cause serious infusion reactions. To reduce the risk, your care team may give you other medications to take before receiving this one. Follow the directions from your care team. This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication. After gene therapy, it is important to avoid contact with the treated person's body fluids for 1 month. Body fluids include saliva, urine, stool, blood, and semen. By avoiding contact, the gene therapy will not affect others by accident. Wash hands with soap and water after coming into contact with body fluids and before eating. Use disposable gloves. Place items that have body fluids on them, such as diapers, in a sealed bag. Get rid of the bag in the regular trash. This medication may increase the risk of tumors. Tumors are lumps or growths of cells that can form in any area of your body. Many tumors are benign, which means they are not cancer. Talk to your care team right away if you develop a tumor after getting this treatment.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medication can cause serious liver injury. The risk is increased in people who already have liver problems. Your care team will check your liver with blood tests before and after treatment. Talk to your care team right away if you feel weak or tired, have loss of appetite, nausea, belly pain, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, or yellowing skin or eyes.

Source: This information is sourced from Elsevier Inc.

Disclaimer

The reviews, ratings, comments, and opinions expressed on this platform are solely those of the individual medical professionals who posted them and do not reflect the views or positions of Sermo, Inc. Sermo does not endorse, verify, or validate the content of individual reviews. The information provided is user-generated and reflects personal clinical experiences, which may not be complete, accurate, or applicable to your specific health needs. It is not intended as medical advice.

Prescription medications affect individuals differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed applies to your personal circumstances. Only a licensed healthcare provider can advise you on what is safe and effective for you.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children, never share your medicine with others, and use each medication only as prescribed. Your reliance on any information provided on this platform is at your own risk.

Terms of use

  1. Sermo Drug Ratings, and all information provided on this website, may not be used in combination with any artificial intelligence tool (including to train an algorithm, test, process, analyze, generate output and/or develop any form of artificial intelligence tool). 

  2. Visitors to the online patient-facing website at Sermo.com (“Sermo Drug Ratings”) are Authorized Users of the website, which contains data owned by a third-party provider, Elsevier, Inc.  Accordingly, by visiting Sermo Drug Ratings, Authorized User acknowledges that the website includes Elsevier owned data that Sermo licenses pursuant to a separate usage and Data agreement (the “Agreements”).  Authorized User further acknowledges that Sermo is a third-party beneficiary of the Agreements and Authorized User’s use of the website hereby binds them to the terms of the Agreements; provided, however, that Elsevier shall have no obligations or liability to an Authorized User whatsoever pursuant to the terms of the Agreements.

Welcome to Sermo's Drug Ratings

Previously only for members, Sermo Drug Ratings are now openly available to all healthcare providers, patients, and industry professionals to support better healthcare decisions.

Clinical expertise
Insights based on real prescribing experience from triple-verified practicing physicians only
Detailed insights
Ratings on key attributes including efficacy, safety, tolerability, accessibility, and adherence
Unbiased reviews
Independent, physician-only reviews, free from pharmaceutical industry influence