volanesorsen sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Antisense oligonucleotide and lipid-modifying treatment
Main use
Severe, genetically confirmed FCS in adults at high risk of pancreatitis
Administration
Single-use injection under the skin after patient or carer training
Key safety issue
Platelet counts can fall substantially, so regular blood monitoring is essential
What is volanesorsen sodium used for?
Licensed use in the selected UK product:
As an addition to diet in adults with genetically confirmed familial chylomicronaemia syndrome who are at high risk of pancreatitis and whose response to diet and triglyceride-lowering therapy has been inadequate.
How does volanesorsen sodium work?
Volanesorsen binds to the messenger RNA used to make apolipoprotein C-III. The RNA is broken down, reducing apoC-III production and removing an important brake on clearance of chylomicrons and other triglyceride-rich particles, including through pathways that do not depend on lipoprotein lipase.
How to take volanesorsen sodium
Use only after training by a healthcare professional and follow the supplied injection instructions.
Inject under the skin; do not inject into a muscle or vein.
Allow the refrigerated syringe to reach room temperature naturally before use; do not heat it by another method.
Check that the solution is clear and colourless to slightly yellow. Do not use it if cloudy or containing particles.
Rotate between suitable areas of the abdomen, upper thigh or outer upper arm. Another person should give an upper-arm injection.
Avoid tattoos, moles, bruises, rashes and skin that is tender, inflamed, damaged or rubbed by clothing.
Use each syringe once, place it in a sharps container and continue the prescribed triglyceride-lowering diet.
volanesorsen sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site reactions such as pain, redness, swelling, itching, bruising or hardening
- Reduced platelet count
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting
- Dizziness or tiredness
Get urgent medical advice
- Low platelets with unusual bruising, pinpoint skin spots or persistent or spontaneous bleeding
- Severe headache or neck stiffness, particularly with bleeding symptoms
- Hypersensitivity, including facial or throat swelling, wheezing or breathing difficulty
- Possible kidney injury, including reduced urine, leg swelling or breathlessness
- Possible liver injury, including jaundice, abdominal swelling, confusion or marked illness
volanesorsen sodium in pregnancy
There are no clinical data from pregnant women. As a precaution, UK product information advises avoiding volanesorsen during pregnancy; anyone who is pregnant or planning pregnancy should discuss treatment with the specialist prescriber.
volanesorsen sodium while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether volanesorsen enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. The specialist and patient should decide whether to stop breastfeeding or avoid treatment after weighing the benefits for both parent and child.
volanesorsen sodium interactions
Formal clinical interaction studies have not been conducted. The prescribing team should review all medicines, including non-prescription products.
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines, including warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, prasugrel and dipyridamole
These affect clotting and may compound bleeding concerns if volanesorsen lowers platelet counts.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen
These can impair platelet function, so use should be reviewed in the context of platelet results and bleeding risk.
Medicines that may reduce platelet counts, including quinine and some antibiotics
Combined use may increase concern about thrombocytopenia and requires specialist review.
Common questions about volanesorsen sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is volanesorsen sodium used for?
It is used with diet for selected adults with genetically confirmed FCS, a high risk of pancreatitis and inadequate response to other triglyceride-lowering measures.
Is volanesorsen sodium used for ordinary high triglycerides?
No. Its UK indication is restricted to genetically confirmed FCS meeting specific severity and response criteria.
How does volanesorsen sodium lower triglycerides?
It reduces production of apoC-III, allowing triglyceride-rich particles to be cleared more effectively.
Can volanesorsen sodium be injected at home?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.