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Amvuttra

vutrisiran

Used for Hereditary Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) is a prescription medication that's used to treat nerve damage in people with a rare condition called hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR). It's injected under the skin once every 3 months by a healthcare provider, typically at their office. Some common side effects caused by Amvuttra (vutrisiran) include joint pain and trouble breathing.

Reviewed by:

Ally Tsai, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on August 30, 2022

Basics Side effects Pros & cons Pharmacist tips FAQs Warnings Dosage Alternatives Latest news Images Prices Medicare

What is Amvuttra (vutrisiran)?

What is Amvuttra (vutrisiran) used for?

Polyneuropathy (nerve damage) from hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis

How Amvuttra (vutrisiran) works

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) is a type of medication called small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA). It's used to treat polyneuropathy (nerve damage) in people with hATTR amyloidosis.

Your liver makes a protein called transthyretin (TTR) that plays important roles in your body. If you have hATTR amyloidosis, you have a mutation (change) in the gene that makes this protein. This change causes your liver to make TTR proteins that clump together in clusters called amyloid deposits. The deposits can build up in different parts of your body and cause damage to your organs and nerves.

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) eases some symptoms of hATTR amyloidosis by interrupting the TTR gene so that it produces less TTR proteins, thus less amyloid deposits.

Are you looking for information on Onpattro (patisiran) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAmvuttra

Drug ClassSmall interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityPrescription only

What are the side effects of Amvuttra (vutrisiran)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Joint pain (11%)
Trouble breathing (7%)

Other Side Effects

Injection site reactions (e.g., bruising, skin redness, skin pain, itching, and skin warmth)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

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
Low vitamin A level—change in vision, dry eyes, dry skin, frequent infections

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Joint pain
Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
Pain in the hands or feet

Pros and cons of Amvuttra (vutrisiran)

Pros

Injected once every 3 months

Injected under the skin, instead of through the veins

Doesn't require pre-treatment medications, so might be more convenient compared to Onpattro (patisiran)

Not many interactions with other medications

Cons

Only available as a brand medication so it might be expensive

Likely to cause low vitamin A levels

Needs to be given by a healthcare provider

Unknown if safe or works well in children

Pharmacist tips for Amvuttra (vutrisiran)

It's best to get your Amvuttra (vutrisiran) injection once every 3 months. Consider marking your appointments with your provider on your calendar. If you miss a treatment, talk with your provider right away about rescheduling your appointment.

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) can lower the amount of vitamin A in your blood. As a result, your provider might ask you to take a vitamin A supplement every day. Let your provider know if you have any vision changes, such as night blindness, dry eyes, spots in your eyes, or cloudy corneas. These can be signs and symptoms of too little vitamin A in your blood.

Don't take more vitamin A than what's recommended by your provider. Too much vitamin A can cause symptoms such as severe headache, nausea, dizziness, and muscle aches.

Frequently asked questions about Amvuttra (vutrisiran)

What is hATTR amyloidosis?

Hereditary ATTR (hATTR) is a rare condition that's passed from parent to child. It's caused by a change in a gene and it results in certain proteins to build up and clump throughout your body. These protein buildups can affect your nerves and organs and lead to symptoms such as burning pain in arms and legs, diarrhea, weight loss, dizziness, and trouble urinating. If you have hATTR amyloidosis, your provider might consider Amvuttra (vutrisiran) to help ease some of your nerve-related symptoms.

How well does Amvuttra (vutrisiran) work for polyneuropathy?

A clinical study showed that after 18 months of treatment, 48% of people who took Amvuttra (vutrisiran) recovered some of their nerve functions compared with 4% of people who received placebo. In addition, more people who took Amvuttra (vutrisiran) reported faster walking speeds, better nutritional health, and greater ability to complete daily tasks, compared with people who received placebo. If you've any questions about Amvuttra (vutrisiran), follow up with your provider for more information.

Can I receive Amvuttra (vutrisiran) if I'm pregnant?

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) hasn’t been studied in human pregnancy, animal studies show that this medication can cause serious harm to unborn babies. In addition, Amvuttra (vutrisiran) can lower the levels of vitamin A in your blood, which can also affect the development of unborn babies. If you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, talk with your provider about possible risks and benefits of using Amvuttra (vutrisiran) during pregnancy.

Where can I receive Amvuttra (vutrisiran) injections?

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) can be injected under the skin of your belly, upper arms, and thighs. Your provider will avoid the area 2 inches within the belly button. Make sure to let your provider know if you have areas of your skin that are bruised, red, or swollen so they don't accidentally inject there.

How does Amvuttra (vutrisiran) compare with Onpattro (patisiran) for nerve damage?

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) and Onpattro (patisiran) are both medications used to treat polyneuropathy in people with hATTR amyloidosis. One main difference between the two medications is how each medication is given. Amvuttra (vutrisiran) is injected under the skin once every 3 months, while Onpattro (patisiran) is injected into the veins once every 3 weeks. Another main difference is the side effects. While both medications can cause low vitamin A levels, Onpattro (patisiran) is more likely to cause upper respiratory infections (i.e., common cold) and infusion-related reactions. Talk with your provider to determine which medication is best for you.

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What are the risks and warnings for Amvuttra (vutrisiran)?

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Low vitamin A levels

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) can cause the vitamin A level in your blood to drop. This can lead to problems such as poor night vision and raise your risk for infections. Your provider might ask you to take a vitamin A supplement while you're being treated with this medication. But don't take more vitamin A than directed by your provider because doing so can cause severe headache, nausea, dizziness, and muscle aches. Let your provider know if you're experiencing blurry vision or trouble seeing at night, which are common symptoms of low vitamin A levels.