See why thousands of patients choose our centers as their preferred destination for ongoing care, including Kisunla Infusion treatments.
Kisunla is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:
- Alzheimer’s disease with a classification of mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia
What is Kisunla?
Kisunla (donanemab-azbt) is a medication that slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s.
How Does Kisunla Work?
When an individual has Alzheimer’s disease, they have amyloid plaque on their brain. Kisunla targets and removes that plaque. While Kisunla cannot reverse or stop existing memory and thinking issues that are due to early symptomatic Alzheimer’s, it can help slow the progression of the disease.
Kisunla Infusion Dosage & Administration
Before beginning with Kisunla, your doctor will order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your brain if you have not had one recently. Kisunla is administered in a series of seven infusions, given once monthly for 30 minutes – with a required 30-minute observation period. Additional MRIs are also required by your referring physician throughout the series.
While having an infusion of Kisunla, patients can expect the procedure to be identical to, or closely resemble, the steps below.
- A nurse carefully inserts a small, very thin catheter into one of the patient’s arm veins.
- Following insertion of the IV line, the nurse connects the tube coming down from the bag or bottle of medication to the patient’s IV.
- After connecting the tube to the patient’s IV, the Kisunla infusion begins.
- A Kisunla infusion usually takes 30 minutes, with a required 30-minute observation period following each infusion.
During the infusion, patients are encouraged to relax, unwind, and enjoy themselves by catching up on a favorite show or surfing the web. If patients need assistance, simply press the call button, and one of the IVX team members will be right in.
Kisunla Side Effects
Kisunla can cause Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities or “ARIA”, specifically ARIA-E (brain swelling) or ARIA-H (brain bleeding). Although serious side effects, a new treatment regimen was recently approved by the FDA that has significantly reduced the occurrence rates for ARIA.
Possible side effects following a Kisunla infusion include:
- Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA-E or ARIA-H)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Difficulty walking
- Confusion
- Vision changes
- Seizures
This is not a complete list of the possible side effects. Individuals who are concerned about experiencing side effects need to contact their physician for medical advice.
Preparing for Your Kisunla Infusion
Follow these steps to prepare for your Kisunla Infusion:
Consult Your Healthcare Provider
- Medical History Review: Ensure your healthcare provider has a complete and up-to-date medical history, including any allergies, current medications, and past reactions to Infusion.
- Pre-Infusion Testing: Complete any required blood tests or other pre-Infusion tests as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Pre-Infusion Medications
- Prescription Pre-Medications: Your Kisunla Infusion may require pre-medications to reduce the risk of a reaction or adverse event. Your referring provider will include any pre-medications when sending in your prescription order.
- Instructions: Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding these medications, including the timing and dosage. Take these medications about 30-60 minutes before the Infusion as directed.
Hydration and Nutrition
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your Infusion to ensure you are well-hydrated.
- Eat Light: Have a light meal before your Infusion to help maintain your energy levels during the procedure.
Prepare for Comfort
- Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing with easy access to your arms for the Infusion site.
- Entertainment: Bring something to keep you occupied, such as a book, tablet, or music, as your treatment or observation period may take several hours.
Plan for Transportation
- Arrange a Ride: Depending on the medication and your reaction to the Infusion, you might not feel well enough to drive yourself home. Consider arranging for someone to drive you or use a ride service.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your Kisunla Infusion is as safe and comfortable as possible. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare team.
How to Get a Referral for Kisunla
Every Kisunla Infusion referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment.
Patient information should include:
- Name
- Current address
- Home and mobile phone number
- Insurance information
Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for therapy:
- Patient’s name and DOB
- Order date
- Diagnosis
- Physician’s name and NPI#
- Office address, phone, and fax numbers
- Provider’s signature
Clinical documentation from the physician should include information to support a diagnosis for one or more of the following:
- Alzheimer’s disease with a classification of mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia
If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Kisunla treats, IVX Health would be honored to provide your care. To find an IVX Health center near you, please click here.
Patients choose IVX Health for ongoing Kisunla treatments because:
- ALL private suites
- Comfortable recliners, with chairs for guests
- Evening & weekend appointments
- Friendly clinical staff deliver personal service
- Big screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, free snacks
Interested in moving your care to IVX Health?
Interested?
IVX Health would love to learn more about your care needs. If you’re interested in switching your infusion services – or if you just want to learn more – let us know.
