Emflaza Dosage Details: Strength variants, administration methods, and additional insights
News Article: Understanding Emflaza Dosage for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Emflaza, a brand-name drug, is used for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in adults and children aged 5 years and older. The typical daily dosage is 0.9 mg/kg, taken orally once per day.
Dosage and Administration
Emflaza is administered orally, either as a tablet or oral suspension. The dosage is based on body weight (mg per kg), and treatment starts at 0.9 mg/kg/day. Dosage adjustments should be guided by clinical response and tolerability.
The medication is indicated for patients aged 5 years and older with DMD. This dosage and administration schedule are based on clinical trials that demonstrated efficacy and safety at 0.9 mg/kg/day in slowing disease progression in DMD. There is no indication that adults require different dosing than children older than 5 years; dosing is weight-based.
Dosage Calculation and Forms
The oral liquid suspension form of Emflaza comes in one strength: 22.75 mg per milliliter (mg/mL). The oral tablets come in four strengths: 6 mg, 18 mg, 30 mg, and 30 mg.
There is no dosage calculator for Emflaza, as the dosage is determined by the doctor based on the patient's body weight.
Taking Emflaza
Emflaza should be taken once per day, with or without food. If you have trouble swallowing Emflaza tablets, you can crush them and mix with applesauce just before swallowing.
The suspension expires 30 days after opening it. Throw away any leftover Emflaza after 30 days. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Try to take your doses around the same time each day.
Important Considerations
Do not take Emflaza with grapefruit juice. If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Emflaza in an easy-open container.
Emflaza, like other steroid drugs, may cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it abruptly. Symptoms of withdrawal include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, fever, joint or muscle pain, weight loss, and more. If you need to stop taking Emflaza, your doctor will likely taper your dosage.
Anxiety can be a possible side effect of Emflaza and other steroid medications. If you experience any unusual symptoms or have concerns about your Emflaza dosage, talk with your doctor.
Availability
Emflaza is not available in a generic version. If your doctor prescribes Emflaza oral liquid suspension, shake the bottle well, use the oral dispenser that comes with Emflaza to measure your dose, and mix your dose with 3 to 4 ounces of juice (except for grapefruit juice) or milk and immediately drink it.
This is the standard regimen for Emflaza in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For a summary of the dosage, please refer to the table below.
| Patient Age | Dose | Route | Notes | |--------------------|---------------------|--------------|------------------------------------| | ≥ 5 years (children & adults) | 0.9 mg/kg/day oral | Oral (tablet or suspension) | Once daily; 1.2 mg/kg/day not recommended |
[1] FDA Approval Letter for Emflaza [5] Prescribing Information for Emflaza
- Other steroid drugs, like Emflaza, may cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them abruptly, such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, fever, joint or muscle pain, weight loss, and more.
- Anxiety can be a possible side effect of Emflaza and other steroid medications. If you experience any unusual symptoms or have concerns about your Emflaza dosage, talk with your doctor.
- As Emflaza is not available in a generic version, if your doctor prescribes Emflaza oral liquid suspension, shake the bottle well, use the oral dispenser that comes with Emflaza to measure your dose, and mix your dose with 3 to 4 ounces of juice (except for grapefruit juice) or milk and immediately drink it.
- Emflaza is administered orally and is indicated for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy in patients aged 5 years and older. The typical daily dosage is 0.9 mg/kg, based on body weight, taken once per day and dosage adjustments should be guided by clinical response and tolerability as per the health-and-wellness and medical-conditions field of science.
