Wainua (eplontersen) is a brand-name drug. It’s prescribed for polyneuropathy caused by a type of amyloidosis in adults. Wainua is given as a subcutaneous injection. It’s administered by you or a caregiver, once per month.
Wainua belongs to a drug class called RNA interference therapies (sometimes called gene silencers). Wainua is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Wainua, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Wainua, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Wainua provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Wainua, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Wainua’s form, strength, and dosage.
Wainua form
Wainua comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled autoinjector. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection.
Wainua strength
Wainua comes in one strength of 45 milligrams (mg) in 0.8 milliliters (mL) of solution.
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing a standard dosage of Wainua.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for amyloidosis
Doctors may prescribe Wainua to treat polyneuropathy caused by a rare inherited condition called hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis.
If your doctor prescribes Wainua for your condition, your dosage will likely be 45 mg once per month. This is the typical recommended dosage of Wainua.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
How to take Wainua
Wainua comes as a solution in a single-dose prefilled autoinjector pen. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection. You or your caregiver will use the autoinjector pen to inject the medication under your skin.
Your doctor will give you your first dose of Wainua. Then, they’ll show you how to give the injection. Make sure to inject Wainua according to your prescribed instructions.
Here are tips on how to take and store Wainua:
- You can self-inject Wainua into your abdomen or the top of your thigh. If you use your abdomen, do not inject it within 2 inches of your belly button. A caregiver can also inject Wainua into the outer area of your upper arm.
- Be sure to choose a different injection site each time you inject Wainua. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This will reduce your risk of injection-related side effects, such as bleeding or pain at the injection site.
- You’ll typically store Wainua pens in the original carton in the refrigerator. Wainua pens can also be kept at room temperature — no higher than 86°F (30°C) — in the original carton for up to 6 weeks.
If you have questions about how to use Wainua, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more from the instructional video and injection guide on the manufacturer’s website.
Long-term treatment
Wainua is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Wainua is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Before you start taking Wainua, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
It’s important that you don’t use more Wainua than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Wainua
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Wainua. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
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.