Spinraza (nusinersen) is a brand-name injection prescribed for spinal muscular atrophy in adults and children. As with other drugs, Spinraza can cause side effects, such as fever, headache, and vomiting.

Spinraza treatment can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Spinraza injection in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Spinraza use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that people using Spinraza have reported include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Spinraza and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Spinraza may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Spinraza prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Spinraza, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

Note: Hydrocephalus didn’t occur in Spinraza’s clinical trials, but there have been reports of it since the drug became available.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Spinraza injection can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s clinical trials.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Spinraza injection, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Spinraza may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are the side effects of Spinraza different in infants?

Yes, it’s possible that infants may have different side effects than older children or adolescents.

In clinical trials, the following side effects were more common in infants with symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy that started before 6 months of age:

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the side effects of Spinraza in infants.

Is Spinraza safe for older adults?

Possibly. Clinical trials of Spinraza didn’t include enough people ages 65 years and older to know if there’s a difference in safety for older adults.

Kidney problems may be a concern for older adults. Kidney function naturally declines with age, so older adults may have a raised risk of developing kidney problems. The body gets rid of Spinraza through the kidneys, and Spinraza can cause kidney problems. This means that people over 65 years who take Spinraza may have an even higher risk of kidney problems from the drug. You can read more about kidney problems with Spinraza in the “Side effect specifics” section.

If you have concerns about taking Spinraza, given your age, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Spinraza may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Spinraza.

Kidney problems

Kidney problems were very common in clinical trials of Spinraza. One such condition is glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney that can be fatal.

Symptoms may include:

What you can do

Due to this risk, your doctor will check your urine for protein before starting Spinraza. (Protein in the urine can be a sign of kidney problems.) They may also check your urine before each dose during treatment.

If you experience symptoms of kidney problems during Spinraza treatment, get medical care right away. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may recommend a different treatment for your condition instead.

Post-lumbar puncture syndrome

People taking Spinraza in clinical trials reported post-lumbar puncture syndrome. (A lumbar puncture is an injection into the lower spine.) Post-lumbar puncture syndrome can happen after an injection into the spine, which is how you receive Spinraza. This is a common side effect of injections into the spine.

Symptoms may include:

These symptoms may worsen when you stand or sit and get better when you lie down.

What you can do

If you develop the symptoms above, call your doctor. They may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers, drinking plenty of fluids, and consuming caffeine. Bed rest may also help relieve your symptoms.

For information about your personal risk of post-lumbar puncture syndrome, talk with your doctor.

Before taking Spinraza, discuss your health history with your doctor. Spinraza may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.