This medication is used to treat a certain muscle
disorder (spinal muscular atrophy - SMA).
Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions
for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start taking risdiplam
and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor
or pharmacist.
Risdiplam should come as a liquid form prepared by the
pharmacy. If it is a powder form, do not use it and contact your pharmacy
right away.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your
age and body weight. For infants who breastfeed, this medication may be
given before or after breastfeeding. Do not mix this medication with
formula, milk, or any other food or liquid. Drink some water after taking
this medication to make sure that the medication is completely
swallowed.
For patients who cannot swallow and have a feeding tube,
this medication can be given through the tube. The tube should be flushed
with water after the medication is given.
Carefully measure the dose using the provided measuring
syringe. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct
dose. Once the dose is drawn into the syringe, it must be taken right away.
If it is not used within 5 minutes, the drug in the syringe should be
thrown away and a new dose prepared with the syringe.
Avoid getting the medication on your skin or in your
eyes. If you get the medication on your skin, wash with soap and water. If
you get the medication in your eyes, rinse with plenty of
water.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
If you vomit after taking a dose or did not take the
full dose, do not take another dose at that time. Take your next dose at
the regular time.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
Diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, or joint pain may
occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away,
fever, cough)
Risdiplam can commonly cause a rash that is usually not
serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash
that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Get medical help right away if
you develop any rash.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking risdiplam, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using risdiplam. Risdiplam
may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before
you start this medication. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while
using this medication and for 1 month after the last dose. If you become
pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of
this medication.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
This medication can slow down the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. An example of
an affected drug is dofetilide, among others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is more than 6 hours after the missed dose, skip the missed dose. Take
your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store the medication upright in the refrigerator. Do not
freeze. Keep the medication in the original bottle to protect from light.
This medication may be taken out of the refrigerator and put back in the
refrigerator if needed. The total time out of the refrigerator should not
be more than 5 days. The medication expires 64 days after it was prepared
by the pharmacy. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.