Enspryng (satralizumab or satralizumab-nwge) is a monoclonal antibody known as an interleukin antagonist. It's FDA approved to treat certain adults with a nerve condition that affects the eye and spinal cord called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). This medication is injected under the skin once a month after the first three starter doses. Side effects of Enspryng (satralizumab) include rash, joint pain, tiredness, and nausea.
Enspryng (satralizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that works as an interleukin antagonist. It's not exactly known how the medication works, but it's thought to block interleukin-6 (IL-6), a protein that's involved in inflammation. This might help treat NMOSD, a condition that happens when the immune system attacks the nerves of the eye, brain, and spinal cord and causes inflammation.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Can inject at home after getting trained by your provider
Injected once every month (after the first 3 doses)
Must give as an injection, so not a good option for people who don't like needles
Can raise the risk of infections
Ask your provider or pharmacist if all of your vaccinations are up to date before you start Enspryng (satralizumab). This medication can change your immune system, so getting vaccinated during treatment might affect how well vaccines work or how safe they are for you. You should get any live vaccines at least a month before and any other types of vaccines at least 2 weeks before starting treatment.
The first three Enspryng (satralizumab) doses are given every 2 weeks. Then, the rest of your doses are given every month until your provider stops your treatment. Speak to your provider if you miss a dose; your provider will let you know how to restart the medication.
Before each time you use Enspryng (satralizumab), talk to your provider if you think you have an infection. Your provider can tell you whether you should take your dose or wait until your infection is treated or goes away. This medication can raise the risk for any current infections to get worse.
Tips on how to inject Enspryng (satralizumab) at home:
Once you're trained by your provider, carefully review the Instructions for Use on how to prepare and inject Enspryng (satralizumab) at home. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about using the medication at home.
Before you inject Enspryng (satralizumab), take the prefilled syringe out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Don't warm the medication up any other way because doing so might damage it.
Make sure the solution in the syringe isn't discolored, doesn't have any particles in it, and hasn't expired. Enspryng (satralizumab) should look clear and either colorless or slightly yellow in color. Injecting expired or damaged medication can lead to infections, allergic reactions, or cause the medication to not work.
Don't remove the needle cap until you're ready to inject the medication. Once you take off the needle cap, inject within 5 minutes or else the needle might clog.
Inject Enspryng (satralizumab) under the skin of your thigh or stomach area (at least 2 inches away from your belly button). Inject into a different area that's at least 1 inch away from the previous site each time you take the medication. This helps prevent skin irritation around the same area.
Throw away all used Enspryng (satralizumab) syringes and needle caps in a sharps container. Visit the FDA website for more information about throwing away your sharps to prevent needle-stick injuries.
Enspryng (satralizumab) 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.
Enspryng (satralizumab) can raise your risk of infections, which can sometimes be serious or life-threatening. This medication can potentially make hepatitis B infection or tuberculosis (TB) worse or come back.
Before you start Enspryng (satralizumab), make sure your care team knows about your medical history. Don't take this medication until any infections you might currently have are treated or have gone away. Your provider will examine you for hepatitis B because you might not be able to take Enspryng (satralizumab) if you're currently infected. Your provider will also check for TB to see whether you need additional antibiotics to prevent it from getting worse or coming back.
Let your provider know right away if you have signs and symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, constant cough, sore throat, skin redness or swelling, diarrhea, or burning feeling during urination.
Some people who took Enspryng (satralizumab) had abnormal liver lab results on their blood tests, which can suggest liver problems. To be safe, your provider will order blood tests during treatment to check your liver. If your liver is affected by this medication, your provider might ask you to pause treatment until your lab results show your liver is getting back to normal. Your provider might also consider switching you to a different medication. Tell your provider if you have symptoms of liver problems, such as stomach pain and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
Some people who took Enspryng (satralizumab) had lower levels of white blood cells. Having a low white blood cell count can put you at risk for infections. Your provider will order blood tests throughout your treatment to check your white blood cell count. Let your provider know right away if you have any signs of infection, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, cough that doesn't go away, sore throat, stomach pain, or pain while urinating.
Medications like Enspryng (satralizumab) can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions. Let your provider know if you have a rash, hives, chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the tongue or throat, or other symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction.
The typical starting dose is 120 mg injected under the skin every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses (at week 0, 2, and 4). After that, you'll continue at a maintenance dose of 120 mg injected under the skin every 4 weeks.
Current hepatitis B infection
Current or untreated latent (inactive) tuberculosis (TB)
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Berthele, A., et al. (2023). A single relapse induces worsening of disability and health-related quality of life in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Neurology.
Genentech, Inc. (2020). Instructions for use: Inspryng® (en-spryng) (satralizumab-mwge) injection.
Genentech, Inc. (2023). Inspryng- satralizumab injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Genentech USA, Inc. (n.d.). What is neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)?
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