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Talking with your doctor

Ensure you and your doctor have all the information you need when discussing treatment options

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Discussing NMOSD and your treatment options

Nobody understands your experience with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) like you do. Having an open conversation about your symptoms and how NMOSD has affected your life can give your healthcare provider the details they need to fully understand your experience—and what's most important to you.

To make sure they get the whole picture, your healthcare provider will likely ask you questions about the topics below. It may help to write down the key points to bring to your next appointment.

Relapse

  • How many relapses have you experienced in total?
  • Have you had a relapse within the past 6 months?
  • Has a relapse caused new symptoms or made any symptoms worse?

Symptoms

  • What symptoms do you experience?
  • How have your symptoms changed over time?

Your daily life

  • How has NMOSD impacted your day-to-day life?
  • What's most important to you when choosing an NMOSD treatment?

“No one else can feel what we are feeling. We have to partner with our doctors to find the best treatment for each of us.”

-Peggy, diagnosed with NMOSD in 2014

Questions to ask your doctor

Your next appointment is also a chance for you to get the answers you're looking for. Asking questions can help you and your healthcare provider be as informed as possible when discussing your treatment options. Here are some questions you may want to discuss with your healthcare provider:

About ENSPRYNG

  • Can I take ENSPRYNG with my current medications?
  • How is ENSPRYNG treatment given?
  • Can I be trained to self-inject with ENSPRYNG?
  • How often do I take ENSPRYNG?
  • What are the risks and benefits of taking ENSPRYNG?
  • How is ENSPRYNG thought to work?
  • What is interleukin 6 (IL-6) and why is it important?

About NMOSD

  • What common symptoms are associated with NMOSD?
  • How might NMOSD impact my daily activities?
  • What is living with NMOSD like, long term?
  • Can the chance of a relapse be reduced?
  • What can my family/friends do to help me with my NMOSD?
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Important Safety Information & Indication

What is ENSPRYNG?

ENSPRYNG is a prescription medicine used to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adults who are aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive. It is not known if ENSPRYNG is safe and effective in children.

Who should not receive ENSPRYNG?

Do not take ENSPRYNG if you:

  • are allergic to ENSPRYNG or any of the ingredients in ENSPRYNG.
  • have an active hepatitis B infection.
  • have active or untreated inactive (latent) tuberculosis.
What is the most important information I should know about ENSPRYNG?

ENSPRYNG may cause serious side effects including:

  • Infections. ENSPRYNG can increase your risk of serious infections, some of which can be life-threatening. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are being treated for an infection, or call them right away if you think you have signs of an infection, with or without a fever, such as:
    • chills, feeling tired, muscle aches, cough that will not go away or a sore throat
    • skin redness, swelling, tenderness, pain or sores on your body
    • diarrhea, belly pain, or feeling sick
    • burning when you urinate or urinating more often than usual

Your healthcare provider will check if you have an infection and treat it if needed before you start or continue to take ENSPRYNG.

  • Your healthcare provider should test you for hepatitis and tuberculosis (TB) before you start taking ENSPRYNG.
  • All required vaccinations should be completed before starting ENSPRYNG. People using ENSPRYNG should not be given ‘live’ or ‘live-attenuated’ vaccines. ‘Live’ or ‘live-attenuated’ vaccines should be given at least 4 weeks before you start ENSPRYNG. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you get a ‘non-live’ (inactivated) vaccine, such as some of the seasonal flu vaccines. If you plan to get a ‘non-live’ (inactivated) vaccine, it should be given, whenever possible, at least 2 weeks before you start ENSPRYNG.
  • Increased liver enzymes.
    Your healthcare provider should order blood tests to check your liver enzymes before and while you are taking ENSPRYNG. Your healthcare provider will tell you how often you will need to have these blood tests. Make sure you get all of your follow-up blood tests as ordered by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to wait to start ENSPRYNG if your liver enzymes are increased.
  • Low neutrophil count.
    ENSPRYNG can cause a decrease in your neutrophil counts in your blood. Neutrophils are white blood cells that help the body fight off bacterial infections. Your healthcare provider should order blood tests to check your neutrophil count while you are taking ENSPRYNG.
  • Serious allergic reactions.
    Serious allergic reactions that may be life-threatening have happened with other medicines like ENSPRYNG. Tell your healthcare provider before taking your next dose if you had hives, rash, or flushing after your injection. Seek medical attention right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as:
    • shortness of breath or trouble breathing
    • dizziness or feeling faint
    • swelling of your lips, face, or tongue
    • moderate or severe stomach (abdominal) pain or vomiting
    • chest pain    

Before you take ENSPRYNG, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have or think you have an infection. See "What is the most important information I should know about ENSPRYNG?"
  • have liver problems.
  • have ever had hepatitis B or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus.
  • have had or have been in contact with someone with tuberculosis.
  • have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccination.
  • are pregnant, think that you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ENSPRYNG will harm your unborn baby.
    • Pregnancy Registry: There is a registry for pregnant women who take ENSPRYNG. The purpose of this registry is to check the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking ENSPRYNG, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can join this pregnancy registry, or you may contact the registry at 1-833-277-9338 to enroll.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ENSPRYNG passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take ENSPRYNG.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the most common side effects of ENSPRYNG?
The most common side effects of ENSPRYNG include:

  • sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis)
  • rash
  • fatigue
  • extremity pain
  • headache
  • upper respiratory tract infection
  • nausea
  • inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
  • joint pain (arthralgia)

These are not all the possible side effects of ENSPRYNG.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

For more information, call 1-844-NSPRYNG.

For additional safety information, please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

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