Enspryng
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.
What is Enspryng (satralizumab)?
What is Enspryng (satralizumab) used for?
How Enspryng (satralizumab) works
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.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Enspryng |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Interleukin antagonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Enspryng (satralizumab)
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
- Rash (17%)
- Joint pain (17%)
- Pain in hands and feet (15%)
- Tiredness (15%)
- Nausea (15%)
- Common cold (12%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Itching
- Depression
- Skin infection
- Low white blood cells
- Fall
Enspryng (satralizumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: hives, chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing, fast heartbeat, stomach pain, vomiting, swelling of the tongue or throat
- Infection: fever, chills, muscle aches, constant cough, sore throat, skin redness or swelling, diarrhea, burning feeling during urination
- Liver problems: nausea, vomiting, feeling tired, swollen belly, pain in the stomach, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
The following Enspryng (satralizumab) 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
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Skin rash
- Sore throat
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Pros and cons of Enspryng (satralizumab)
Pros
- Can inject at home after getting trained by your provider
- Injected once every month (after the first 3 doses)
Cons
- Must give as an injection, so not a good option for people who don't like needles
- Can raise the risk of infections
Pharmacist tips for Enspryng (satralizumab)
- 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.
Risks and warnings for Enspryng (satralizumab)
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.
Risk of infection
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.
Liver problems
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.
Low white blood cells
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.
Allergic reactions
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.
Enspryng (satralizumab) dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120mg/ml | 1 syringe | $17,626.97 | $17,626.97 |
Typical dosage for Enspryng (satralizumab)
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.
How much does Enspryng (satralizumab) cost?
$17,626.97
Enspryng (satralizumab) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Enspryng (satralizumab) will not be safe for you to take.
- Current hepatitis B infection
- Current or untreated latent (inactive) tuberculosis (TB)
