How is Evrysdi administered?

Evrysdi (risdiplam) is a prescription medication used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in children and adult patients. It is a survival of motor neuron 2 (SMN2) splicing modifier.

What dosage forms does Evrysdi come in?

• Evrysdi comes in two dosage forms: an oral solution and oral tablets.

Evrysdi oral solution

• Your pharmacist will mix Evrysdi powder with purified water and dispense it to you in the form of an oral solution.
• Your pharmacist will write on the bottle containing your Evrysdi oral solution the date on which you should stop using it and discard any leftover medication.
• Your pharmacist will dispense your Evrysdi oral solution with a specially designed reusable oral syringe that protects the medication from exposure to light.
• Keep the oral solution upright in the refrigerator in the original amber bottle it was dispensed in. Do not freeze it.
• Throw away any unused portion of Evrysdi 64 days after it is mixed by the pharmacist.

Evrysdi oral tablets

• Evrysdi oral tablets can be swallowed whole or dispersed in filtered or unchlorinated water and the mixture drunk.
• Store the oral tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect the tablets from moisture.

How do I administer the Evrysdi oral solution?

Drawing up the solution

1. Remove the cap from your Evrysdi oral solution bottle and set aside.
2. Pick up your oral syringe and push the plunger towards the syringe tip to remove all the air.
3. Place the Evrysdi oral solution on a flat surface and place the syringe tip into the bottle adaptor inserted into the top of the Evrysdi oral solution bottle.
4. With the syringe tip firmly inserted in place, carefully tip the bottle upside down.
5. Slowly pull back on the plunger to draw up a dose. The black plunger stopper should line up with the required mL markings on the syringe. Once the correct dose is selected hold the plunger in place.
6. While continuing to hold the plunger in place, tip the bottle back upright, place it on the flat surface and gently pull the syringe straight up to remove it from the bottle adaptor.
7. Hold the syringe so that the tip points upwards. Check that you have drawn up the correct dose and no large air bubbles are present. Repeat steps 4-7 if necessary.
8. Evrysdi oral solution must be given within 5 minute of drawing it up into the syringe. If the dose is not given within 5 min then dispose of the contents of the syringe in the trash and prepare a new dose. Do not put the medication back into the bottle.

Administering it to your child

Evrysdi can be given orally, or administered via gastrostomy tube (G-tube) or nasogastric tube (NG-tube). Give Everysdi after a meal at about the same time each day.

How to give Evrysdi by mouth

• Place the syringe into the mouth with the tip along a cheek.
• Slowly push the plunger down to give the full dose.
• Check the oral syringe to make sure there is no medication left.
• Drink approximately 15 ml (a tablespoon) of water straight after Evrysdi is given to ensure the medication has been completely swallowed.

How to give Evrysdi via a gastrostomy tube

• Following the instructions given by your healthcare provider and place the tip of the oral syringe into the gastrostomy tube.
• Slowly push the plunger down to give the full dose.
• Check the oral syringe to make sure there is no medication left.
• Use 10-20 ml of water to flush the tube straight after the dose has been given.

How to give Evrysdi via a nasogastric tube

• Following the instructions given by your healthcare provider and place the tip of the oral syringe into the nasogastric tube.
• Slowly push the plunger down to give the full dose.
• Check the oral syringe to make sure there is no medication left.
• Use 10-20 ml of water to flush the tube straight after the dose has been given.

Cleaning the Evrysdi oral syringe after administering a dose

After you have given a dose of Evrysdi oral solution pull the plunger away from the syringe until it comes out, then rinse both the plunger and syringe well under clean water.

• Place the clean syringe and plunger on a safe, clean surface to dry.
• Wash and dry your hands before placing the dry plunger back into the dry syringe barrel.
• Store the clean and dry oral syringe with your medication.

Read next

See also:

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Drug information

• Evrysdi Information for Consumers
• Evrysdi prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
• Side Effects of Evrysdi (detailed)

Related support groups

• Evrysdi (5 questions, 3 members)
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy (10 questions, 3 members)

Medical Disclaimer