Every Day With SMA

Navigating life with SMA

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Every Day With SMA

Navigating life with SMA

Lucy’s sister shows the way

A sibling's support

Watch as these SMA caregivers recount how Lucy started walking with assistance through the support of her big sister and in the process made a family memory.
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STEVE: A recent milestone for Lucy was when she started walking with assistance. Her sister recently actually grabbed her by both hands and started walking backwards in a way that I thought would be a little too fast, but Lucy was actually able to keep pace with her into the other room.

STEVE: It was significant because it was that interaction with her sister that we were looking for and hoping for ever since she was born.

ASHLEY: With the natural progression of SMA, we didn’t know if these moments would ever actually happen. I didn’t know if I would ever see the day, you know, that Noralynn was taking her hands and walking across the floor or watching them play together with blocks. Or, you know, even just climbing up on the couch together and sliding back down. And here we are today that I watch it, you know, on a daily basis with the two of them.

STEVE: Seeing how Noralynn loves her little sister and how Lucy looks up to her big sister, it’s very meaningful and special and it’s what we were hoping to see.

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Brady, who was diagnosed with SMA Type 2, standing in his walker

Brady goes mobile

Watch the first time Brady, who was diagnosed with SMA Type 2, pulled himself to stand independently in his walker.

Quinn, who was diagnosed with SMA Type 2, standing assisted at a table

Quinn proudly stands

Achieving a new milestone in SMA is always cause for celebration. Hear Joe and Annie recount the moment their daughter, Quinn, received her leg braces and was able to stand for the first time.

Preparing for the future

Check out resources and advice from other caregivers to help you navigate your child’s future with SMA.

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Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about ZOLGENSMA?

  • ZOLGENSMA can increase liver enzyme levels and cause acute serious liver injury or acute liver failure which could result in death.
  • Patients will receive an oral corticosteroid before and after infusion with ZOLGENSMA and will undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver function.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about ZOLGENSMA?

  • ZOLGENSMA can increase liver enzyme levels and cause acute serious liver injury or acute liver failure which could result in death.
  • Patients will receive an oral corticosteroid before and after infusion with ZOLGENSMA and will undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver function.
  • Contact the patient’s doctor immediately if the patient’s skin and/or whites of the eyes appear yellowish, if the patient misses a dose of corticosteroid or vomits it up, or if the patient experiences a decrease in alertness.

What should I watch for before and after infusion with ZOLGENSMA?

  • Infections before or after ZOLGENSMA infusion can lead to more serious complications. Caregivers and close contacts with the patient should follow infection prevention procedures. Contact the patient’s doctor immediately if the patient experiences any signs of a possible infection such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, or fever.
  • Decreased platelet counts could occur following infusion with ZOLGENSMA. Seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences unexpected bleeding or bruising.
  • Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported to generally occur within the first two weeks after ZOLGENSMA infusion. Seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences any signs or symptoms of TMA, such as unexpected bruising or bleeding, seizures, or decreased urine output.

What do I need to know about vaccinations and ZOLGENSMA?

  • Talk with the patient’s doctor to decide if adjustments to the vaccination schedule are needed to accommodate treatment with a corticosteroid.
  • Protection against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recommended and vaccination status should be up-to-date prior to ZOLGENSMA administration. Please consult the patient’s doctor.

Do I need to take precautions with the patient’s bodily waste?

Temporarily, small amounts of ZOLGENSMA may be found in the patient’s stool. Use good hand hygiene when coming into direct contact with patient body waste for one month after infusion with ZOLGENSMA. Disposable diapers should be sealed in disposable trash bags and thrown out with regular trash.

What are the possible or likely side effects of ZOLGENSMA?

The most common side effects that occurred in patients treated with ZOLGENSMA were elevated liver enzymes and vomiting.

Indication

What is ZOLGENSMA?
ZOLGENSMA is a prescription gene therapy used to treat children less than 2 years old with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). ZOLGENSMA is given as a one-time infusion into a vein. ZOLGENSMA was not evaluated in patients with advanced SMA.

The safety information provided here is not comprehensive. Talk to the patient’s doctor about any side effects that bother the patient or that don’t go away.

You are encouraged to report suspected side effects by contacting the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch, or Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. at 833-828-3947.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information.