If your child has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), doctors may have talked about a vaccine called Viltolarsen (brand name: Viltepso). It's normal for a thousand questions to come to mind at a time like this. What kind of medicine is this? What does it actually do? What should we be concerned about? Today, we'll talk about all of this in simple, easy-to-understand language.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, children with Duchenne (DMD) have a genetic problem with the production of a protein called 'Dystrophin', which is essential for keeping muscles strong. This drug, called Viltolarsen, helps the body to replace some of the missing protein. In other words, this drug helps maintain some muscle function.
However, it is important to understand that this is not a cure for the disease. Also, this medicine is not given to all children with DMD. It is only suitable for children with a specific gene mutation . Doctors will decide whether this treatment is suitable for your child after tests.
Things to tell the doctor before giving medicine to your child
Before your child starts this treatment, you should definitely discuss these issues with your doctor. Don't hide anything, because the child's safety is the most important thing.
- Tell your child if he or she has any kidney disease .
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to Viltolarsen or any other medicine, food, or dye, please state this clearly.
- It is also very important to inform the doctor if the person receiving this treatment is young, trying to get pregnant, pregnant, or breastfeeding .
Based on this information, the doctor will be more careful when treating the child.
How to give medicine to a child?
This is not a pill that you take or a home remedy. This is an injection into a vein, or more precisely , an infusion into a vein . Just like giving saline, the monks give this medicine to the body.
This treatment is done entirely in a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of trained medical staff, so you have nothing to worry about.
What to do if you miss a medication appointment?
For the success of this treatment, it is very important to take your child to the doctor's appointments and give them the dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip any doses. If you are unable to go on an emergency date, call your doctor immediately and let them know and ask for advice on what to do next.
What if I take too much medicine?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think you may have overdosed, go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Viltolarsen can cause some side effects. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Type of side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic reactions | If you experience symptoms such as skin rash, severe itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, inform your doctor immediately. |
| Signs of kidney injury | If you notice a change in the frequency or amount of urination, difficulty urinating, or a change in the color of your urine, inform your doctor immediately. |
| Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor side effects |
These usually subside within a few days, but if they persist or if the child is uncomfortable, tell the doctor. |
This list only includes a few of the most common side effects. If you notice anything unusual in your child, don't delay in talking to your doctor about it.
Are there any interactions with other medications?
Based on current testing, there have been no reports of other medications that interact with the Viltolarsen vaccine.
However, it is best to give your doctor a complete list of all other medications your child is taking (medicines for other conditions, vitamins, traditional medicines, dietary supplements). This will help prevent unnecessary problems from occurring.
Take-Home Message
- Viltolarsen is a medication that helps control the condition of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but it is not a complete cure .
- This medicine is only given to patients with a specific genetic mutation .
- This is an injection given into a vein, and it is only given by trained medical staff in a hospital or clinic .
- If your child has kidney disease or other allergies , be sure to tell the doctor before starting treatment.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or a change in the amount of urine , seek medical advice immediately .
- It is very important to take your doses on time, and never be afraid to ask your doctor any questions you may have.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න