What's inside the SMA Treatment Guide?
Topic 1:
Understanding
SMA
Understanding
SMA
People with SMA cannot make
enough SMN protein. As a
result, motor neurons in the
CNS are lost, and muscles can
no longer receive proper signals
from the brain to function.
Learn more about what happens
in the body when you have
SMA.
Topic 2:
Approved therapies
in Canada
Approved therapies
in Canada
While there is no cure for SMA
today, there are currently
3 disease-modifying therapies
approved in Canada for those
living with SMA. Use this
section of the guide to become
familiar with the 3 therapies
currently available.
Topic 3:
How do the
treatments work?
How do the
treatments work?
Each therapy increases
SMN protein production, but
there are key differences in how
they do this, which may affect
how well each treatment works
in an individual or how well an
individual can tolerate it.
Topic 4:
How are the
treatments given?
How are the
treatments given?
The route of administration
(how the therapy is delivered)
differs between treatments, and
may be an important factor in
achieving the goals of therapy.
Learn more about how each
treatment is given to help guide
you to choose a treatment that
is best suited for you/your child.
Topic 5:
Patient
Experience
Patient
Experience
While all three therapies can be
used for SMA, the depth and
breadth of experience of each
drug, as well as the types of
patients in which each drug was
studied, varies. Learn more
about patient experience here.
Topic 6:
Treatment
Sequencing
Treatment
Sequencing
There is little evidence about the
efficacy and safety of trying a
second SMA treatment option
after suboptimal response with
the first. This section highlights
currently available information
about treatment sequencing.
Topic 7:
Accessing
Therapy
Accessing
Therapy
This section will provide
information about what (if any)
insurance coverage/
government reimbursement is
available for each treatment
option.
Topic 8:
Possible
Side Effects
Possible
Side Effects
This section will highlight the
most common side effects of
each drug – an important
consideration when deciding on
therapy.
Topic 9:
Warnings and
Precautions
Warnings and
Precautions
All drugs must be used with care
and caution. This section will
review the potential risks of
treatment, so that you can make
an informed decision with your
healthcare professional.
Topic 1:
Understanding
SMA
Understanding
SMA
People with SMA cannot make
enough SMN protein. As a
result, motor neurons in the
CNS are lost, and muscles can
no longer receive proper signals
from the brain to function.
Learn more about what happens
in the body when you have
SMA.
Topic 2:
Approved therapies
in Canada
Approved therapies
in Canada
While there is no cure for SMA
today, there are currently
3 disease-modifying therapies
approved in Canada for those
living with SMA. Use this
section of the guide to become
familiar with the 3 therapies
currently available.
Topic 3:
How do the
treatments work?
How do the
treatments work?
Each therapy increases
SMN protein production, but
there are key differences in how
they do this, which may affect
how well each treatment works
in an individual or how well an
individual can tolerate it.
Topic 4:
How are the
treatments given?
How are the
treatments given?
The route of administration
(how the therapy is delivered)
differs between treatments, and
may be an important factor in
achieving the goals of therapy.
Learn more about how each
treatment is given to help guide
you to choose a treatment that
is best suited for you/your child.
Topic 5:
Patient
Experience
Patient
Experience
While all three therapies can be
used for SMA, the depth and
breadth of experience of each
drug, as well as the types of
patients in which each drug was
studied, varies. Learn more
about patient experience here.
Topic 6:
Treatment
Sequencing
Treatment
Sequencing
There is little evidence about the
efficacy and safety of trying a
second SMA treatment option
after suboptimal response with
the first. This section highlights
currently available information
about treatment sequencing.
Topic 7:
Accessing
Therapy
Accessing
Therapy
This section will provide
information about what (if any)
insurance coverage/
government reimbursement is
available for each treatment
option.
Topic 8:
Possible
Side Effects
Possible
Side Effects
This section will highlight the
most common side effects of
each drug – an important
consideration when deciding on
therapy.
Topic 9:
Warnings and
Precautions
Warnings and
Precautions
All drugs must be used with care
and caution. This section will
review the potential risks of
treatment, so that you can make
an informed decision with your
healthcare professional.
The earlier treatment can begin, and the longer you can stay on therapy, the better the outcome will be.1
Download the full SMA Treatment Guide, to gain a better understanding of your treatment options so that you can have an informed discussion with your healthcare professional.
Read all about each treatment below:
PRSPINRAZATM
(nusinersen injection) PrZOLGENSMA®
(onasemnogene abeparvovec) PrEVRYSDI®
(risdiplam)
REFERENCE
1. Prior TW, Leach ME, Finanger E. Spinal Muscular Atrophy. 2000 Feb 24 [Updated 2019 Nov 14]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2020. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1352/