Kynamro (mipomersen) is a cholesterol-lowering medication. It reduces blood levels of "bad" cholesterol, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein-B (apo-B), or non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL).
Kynamro is used together with a low-fat diet and other treatments to lower total cholesterol in people with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited type of high cholesterol).
It is not known whether Kynamro will lower your risk of heart disease.
Important information
Kynamro is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program called Kynamro REMS. Your doctor must be registered in the program in order to prescribe this medicine for you.
You should not use Kynamro if you have active liver disease or abnormal liver function tests.
Kynamro can cause your liver enzymes to get too high. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Before using Kynamro
You should not use Kynamro if you are allergic to mipomersen, or if you have:
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using Kynamro.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control during treatment. Stop using Kynamro and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
It is not known whether mipomersen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How is Kynamro given?
Take Kynamro exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Kynamro is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Kynamro is usually given once per week. Use this medicine on the same day each week, at the same time of day.
Use a different place on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm each time you give the injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Kynamro is only part of a treatment program that may also include a special diet and other medications. Follow your doctor"s instructions very closely.
Kynamro should be stored in a refrigerator, if possible. However the injection must be at room temperature at the time of administration. Take a vial or prefilled syringe out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before giving an injection. Do not heat the medicine before using. Do not remove the needle cover from the prefilled syringe until you are ready to give the injection.
Kynamro may also be stored at room temperature for up to 14 days. Keep the medicine in its original container and protect from heat or light.
Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give an injection. If you use any other injectable medication, do not mix it with this medicine or inject it at the same time you inject Kynamro.
Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Each single-use vial (bottle) or prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.
Use a disposable needle only once, then throw away in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Kynamro can cause your liver enzymes to get too high. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your weekly treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 3 days away. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
Avoid injecting Kynamro into skin areas that are swollen, irritated, sunburned, or affected by conditions such as psoriasis or a skin rash. Also avoid injecting into any skin area with a scar or tattoo.
Avoid drinking more than 1 alcoholic drink per day. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking Kynamro.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Mipomersen will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol lowering diet plan.
Kynamro side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Kynamro: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Kynamro and call your doctor at once if you have:
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flu symptoms within 2 days after an injection--fever, chills, body aches, tired feeling, joint or muscle pain;
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pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, or tenderness where an injection was given; or
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nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Kynamro side effects may include:
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nausea;
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headache; or
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tired feeling.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Kynamro?
Other drugs may interact with Kynamro, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
