Viltepso (viltolarsen) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in adults and some children. Viltepso comes as an intravenous (IV) infusion that’s given by a healthcare professional.

Viltepso is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults and children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). It’s given when there’s a certain mutation of the DMD gene known as exon 53.

Viltepso belongs to a drug class called antisense oligonucleotides. Viltepso is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Viltepso, including its strength and how to receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Viltepso, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Viltepso provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Viltepso dosage that’s right for you.

Read below for the recommended dosage of Viltepso and other details about the drug.

Viltepso form

Viltepso comes as a solution that’s given as an IV infusion. It’s always given by a healthcare professional.

Viltepso strength

Viltepso comes in a single-dose vial containing 250 milligrams of drug per 5 milliliters of solution (50 mg/mL).

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for DMD

Doctors may prescribe Viltepso to treat DMD in adults.

If your doctor prescribes Viltepso for you, your dose will be based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The recommended dosage of Viltepso is 80 mg/kg given once weekly as an IV infusion. For example, if you weigh 154 lb (about 70 kg), your dosage of Viltepso will be 5,600 mg once weekly.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Viltepso has been studied in male children ages 4 years and older with DMD. The recommended dosage is the same as the adult dosage: 80 mg/kg given once weekly as an IV infusion.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Long-term treatment

Viltepso is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Viltepso is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Before you start receiving Viltepso, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the IV infusion of Viltepso. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. In some cases, a nurse may come to your home and give you Viltepso. The infusion takes about 1 hour.

If you have questions about what to expect with your Viltepso infusion, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also helpful information about this on the manufacturer’s website.

If you miss your appointment for a Viltepso infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.

If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Viltepso.

Is the dosage of Viltepso similar to the dosage of Vyondys 53?

Yes, the forms and how often you receive each drug are similar. Viltepso and Vyondys 53 are both treatments for DMD that are given once weekly as IV infusions.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Viltepso to start working?

Viltepso starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, it may take up to 25 weeks of treatment to see an effect. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Viltepso treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Viltepso for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Viltepso that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Viltepso. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Viltepso: For information about other aspects of Viltepso, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about the side effects of Viltepso, see this article. You can also look at the Viltepso prescribing information.
  • Details about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): For details about this condition, see this list of articles related to DMD.

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.