Eteplirsen

Generic name: eteplirsen [ e-TEP-lir-sen ]
Brand name: Exondys 51
Dosage form: intravenous solution (50 mg/mL)
Drug class: Miscellaneous uncategorized agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Nov 6, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is eteplirsen?

Eteplirsen works by helping the body produce a protein called dystrophin. Dystrophin is a protein that helps stabilize the structure of muscle tissue and is necessary for proper muscle development and function. Without dystrophin, muscle fibers can become weak and easily damaged. This can affect voluntary movement such as walking.

Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy have a mutation of a gene that would normally cause the body to produce dystrophin.

Eteplirsen is used in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Eteplirsen is not a cure for DMD, but eteplirsen may lessen muscle weakness and muscle wasting caused by this disease.

Eteplirsen was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, some children responded to this medicine. However, further studies are needed to determine if eteplirsen is generally effective in treating DMD.

Eteplirsen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Eteplirsen side effects

Get emergency medical help if your child has signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects of eteplirsen may include:

• pain, bruising, itching, skin rash, or other irritation where the medicine was injected;

• vomiting;

• joint pain;

• problems with balance; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Before your child receives eteplirsen, tell the doctor about all your child's medical conditions or allergies, and all the medicines the child uses.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your child's doctor if any prior eteplirsen injections caused a severe allergic reaction in your child.

Before your child receives eteplirsen, tell the doctor about all your child's medical conditions or allergies, and all the medicines the child uses.

Although eteplirsen has been used mainly in children, it is not known whether eteplirsen could be harmful if used during pregnancy or while nursing.

How is eteplirsen given?

Eteplirsen is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

To make the injection more comfortable, a numbing medicine may be applied to the skin area where the IV needle will be placed.

Eteplirsen is given once per week. This medicine must be injected slowly, and the infusion can take up to 1 hour to complete.

Tell your caregivers if you feel itchy, warm, light-headed, or have chest tightness or trouble breathing when eteplirsen is injected.

Tell your doctor if your child has any changes in weight. Eteplirsen doses are based on weight, and any changes may affect the dose.

Eteplirsen dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Muscular Dystrophy:

30 mg/kg IV once a week as an IV infusion over 35 to 60 minutes

Comments:
-Use a 0.2 micron in-line filter during infusion.
-This drug is approved under accelerated approval based on an increase in dystrophin in skeletal muscle observed in some patients; a clinical benefit has not been established.
-Continued approval may be contingent upon clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Use: For the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients who have a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene that is amenable to exon 51 skipping

Usual Pediatric Dose for Muscular Dystrophy:

30 mg/kg IV once a week as an IV infusion over 35 to 60 minutes

Comments:
-Use a 0.2 micron in-line filter during infusion.
-This drug is approved under accelerated approval based on an increase in dystrophin in skeletal muscle observed in some patients; a clinical benefit has not been established.
-Continued approval may be contingent upon clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Use: For the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients who have a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene that is amenable to exon 51 skipping

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your child's doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your child's eteplirsen injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving eteplirsen?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect eteplirsen?

Other drugs may affect eteplirsen, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your child's healthcare providers about all medicines the child uses now, and any medicine the child starts or stops using.

Popular FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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