Pronunciation: spin-rah-za
Generic name: nusinersen
Dosage form: intrathecal injection (12 mg/5 mL)
Drug class: Miscellaneous uncategorized agents

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 20, 2025.

What is Spinraza?

Spinraza is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in children and adults. It is administered via intrathecal injection (an injection into the spine) by a healthcare provider every 4 months after an initial dosing period.

SMA is an inherited muscle-weakening condition caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which normally produces a protein needed for healthy motor neurons. A backup gene (SMN2) also makes this protein, but it's usually defective because a critical part called "exon 7" gets skipped. Spinraza’s mechanism ensures the missing piece of information from exon 7 is included when SMN2 produces protein, resulting in a properly functioning protein that helps keep motor neurons healthy. It belongs to the drug class called antisense oligonucleotides. 

Spinraza (nusinersen) gained FDA approval on December 23, 2016. There is no generic.

• Spinraza was the first drug to be approved by the FDA for SMA.

Side effects

The most common side effects of Spinraza are:

• Lower respiratory tract infections (such as a cold or the flu)
• Constipation
• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Back pain
• Post-lumbar puncture syndrome.

Serious side effects and warnings

Spinraza may cause the following serious side effects:

• Increased risk of bleeding. Complications linked to an increased risk of bleeding have been observed after administration of similar medicines. Your healthcare provider will perform blood tests before you start treatment with Spinraza and before each dose to monitor for signs of these risks. Seek medical attention if unexpected bleeding occurs.
• Increased risk of kidney damage, including potentially fatal acute inflammation of the kidney. An increased risk of kidney damage has been observed after administration of similar medicines. Your healthcare provider will perform urine testing before you start treatment with Spinraza and before each dose to monitor for signs of this risk.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Spinraza. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Before receiving

Before you receive Spinraza, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have a bleeding disorder
• have a kidney disorder
• are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

Pregnancy

Spinraza may harm an unborn baby. You should not become pregnant while receiving Spinraza. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while receiving Spinraza.

Breastfeeding

There is no data about the presence of Spinraza in human milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while receiving treatment with Spinraza.

How is Spinraza administered?

Spinraza is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a treatment center.

• Spinraza is injected into the fluid of the spine (intrathecal injection) over 1 to 3 minutes.

Before you start treatment with Spinraza and before each dose, your doctor will order blood and urine testing to monitor for the potential risks of bleeding complications or kidney damage.

Dosing information

Recommended Spinraza dosage for SMA:

• 12 mg (5 mL) per administration.

You will receive 4 initial loading doses of Spinraza.

• The first 3 doses will be given at 14-day intervals, and the 4th dose will be given 30 days after the 3rd dose.
• After your 4 loading doses, you will receive a maintenance dose of Spinraza every 4 months (3 times per year).

Before administering

• Allow Spinraza to warm up to room temperature before administering.
• Administer within 4 hours of removal from the vial.
• Prior to administration, remove 5 mL of cerebrospinal fluid.
• Administer as an intrathecal bolus injection over 1 to 3 minutes.
• See the full prescribing information for further dosing information.

What other drugs will affect Spinraza?

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Storage

Store Spinraza in a refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton to protect from light. Do not freeze.

• Protect from light and keep in the original carton until time of use.
• If no refrigeration is available, Spinraza may be stored in its original carton, protected from light at or below 30°C (86°F) for up to 14 days.
• Prior to administration, unopened vials of Spinraza can be removed from and returned to the refrigerator, if necessary. If removed from the original carton, the total combined time out of refrigeration should not exceed 30 hours at a temperature that does not exceed 25°C (77°F).

Keep out of reach of children.

What are the ingredients in Spinraza?

Active ingredient: nusinersen 12 mg

Inactive ingredients: monobasic dihydrate sodium phosphate, dibasic anhydrous sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, water.

Supplied as a 12 mg/5 mL (2.4 mg/mL) solution in a single-dose glass vial, free from preservatives.

Who makes Spinraza?

Spinraza is manufactured by Biogen, located in Cambridge, MA.

Popular FAQ

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer