At-home dosing every 4 or 8 weeks, with recommended dosing being every 4 weeks
Dosing
The longest time between doses approved for hereditary angioedema (HAE) attack prevention*
DAWNZERA offers the convenience of a self-administered autoinjector that can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 weeks in the original carton; however, refrigeration is recommended.
10 seconds to inject and no citric acid, which is associated with injection-site pain†
Although refrigeration is recommended, you have up to 6 weeks of fridge-free storage‡
Please note: Do not expose your DAWNZERA autoinjector to heat, do not freeze it, and protect it from direct light.
*Available for dosing every 4 weeks or every 8 weeks.
†In clinical studies, injection-site reactions, including injection-site pain, were the most frequently reported adverse reactions.
‡Refrigeration is recommended. If needed, autoinjectors can be stored at room temperature (up to 86 °F [30 °C]) for up to 6 weeks. If not used within 6 weeks, throw away DAWNZERA.
How to Use DAWNZERA
Step-by-step support for taking DAWNZERA
DAWNZERA is delivered through a convenient, single-use autoinjector, and a few quick steps can help you feel confident you're doing it right. Watch the How to Use DAWNZERA video to learn how you'll receive and administer your treatment. If you or your caregiver have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.
PATIENT: I have hereditary angioedema, or HAE, and recently flipped the switch to DAWNZERA for my HAE preventative treatment. So, what’s next for me? Making sure I know how to do my treatments from the comfort of here, or here, or here, or wherever I may be. Oh hey…who are you?
LISSETTE: I’m Lissette, your personal Patient Education Manager. You signed up for Ionis Every Step™, so, I’m here to help you every step of the way.
PATIENT: Nice! One-on-one attention. Should we get started?
LISSETTE: Mmhm
PATIENT: Okay, first things first — I’m not always at home.
LISSETTE: That’s fine, you don’t always need to be at home. DAWNZERA can fit into your routine as long as you follow the instructions.
PATIENT: Can everyone inject DAWNZERA the same way?
LISSETTE: Yes!
PATIENT: Woah! Okay!
LISSETTE: With DAWNZERA, your doctor will decide your dosing. It could be once every 4 weeks or 8 weeks. But the way you take DAWNZERA is the same no matter which dosing option your doctor decides for you.
PATIENT: Perfect, I’m feeling good to get started. Let’s learn how to inject DAWNZERA.
LISSETTE: Okay, first let’s take a look at the autoinjector.
PATIENT: Already got it! And I’ve taken it out of the fridge, and it’s been at room temperature for 30 minutes as recommended.
LISSETTE: Under this clear cap is the orange needle shield. The needle shield covers the needle when not in use.
PATIENT: Hm, okay. So, what’s this?
LISSETTE: That’s the rubber needle shield. This will also be removed with the cap. Here’s the viewing window and the plunger.
PATIENT: Oh, so the medicine is inside. How do I actually use it?
LISSETTE: Your doctor should have shown you how to inject DAWNZERA—or you may have practiced with the demonstration autoinjector from your welcome kit. But let's review the steps together.
PATIENT: Wait! Let me prepare first! I know you need a sharps container for safe disposal.
LISSETTE: Don’t forget an alcohol wipe, a cotton ball or gauze, and a small bandage too.
PATIENT: Right, thank you! Okay, I’m ready.
LISSETTE: We’ll always begin by taking the autoinjector out of the carton.
PATIENT: Easy peasy. Got that covered.
LISSETTE: Make sure the expiration date hasn’t passed, then check the medicine through the viewing window. It should be clear and colorless to yellow. Don’t use if the medicine looks cloudy or discolored. There should be no particles, but it is normal to see air bubbles in the solution.
PATIENT: All clear!
LISSETTE: Don’t use the autoinjector if it is expired, appears damaged, or if the clear cap is missing, or not attached.
PATIENT: All good. Can I inject now?
LISSETTE: Not quite yet—first we have to choose where to inject. You’ll want to pick a spot on your stomach or the front of your thigh.
PATIENT: I think I’d feel more comfortable with the thigh.
LISSETTE: No problem, but if you choose your stomach in the future, be sure to pick a spot at least two inches away from your belly button.
PATIENT: Okay…is there anywhere else I can inject it?
LISSETTE: Well, the back of the arm can also be an injection site, but only for care partners, since this area can be hard to reach alone. It’s also important not to inject into scars or damaged skin, including any skin that is bruised, tender, red, or hard.
PATIENT: Okay, looks like I’m ready then! Let me just wash my hands…wipe clean my injection site…
LISSETTE: Don’t forget to wait a few seconds to allow the area to air dry before you begin to inject.
PATIENT: Good to go!
LISSETTE: First, it’s important to remember not to remove the cap until you’re ready to inject. Once the cap has been removed you cannot recap the autoinjector.
PATIENT: Got it.
LISSETTE: Now, we’ll start by holding the autoinjector by the middle, with the clear cap facing away from you. Remove the cap by pulling it straight off. Don’t twist it, and don’t push the orange needle shield against your hands or fingers. The needle is under there.
PATIENT: Say no more. I won’t go near there. I think I remember what’s next, my doctor said, "PLACE, PUSH, HOLD?"
LISSETTE: That’s right! Using one hand, PLACE the orange needle shield at a 90-degree angle against your skin. Make sure you can see the viewing window.
LISSETTE: Position the autoinjector straight against the skin and PUSH firmly.
PATIENT: There’s no button?
LISSETTE: Nope, just push down the entire autoinjector and hold for 10 seconds. You will hear a click as the injection starts. It’s normal to hear a second click, but that doesn’t mean the dosing is finished. Do not move or lift the autoinjector, this could result in you not receiving your full dose.Now, HOLD and continue pressing the autoinjector in place for 10 seconds to make sure the full dose has been given. No twists, no turns, just keep it steady.
PATIENT: Does the music come with the autoinjector?
LISSETTE: No, but you can sing the “Happy Birthday” song as a reminder to hold in place for 10 seconds. Now we can check the viewing window.
PATIENT: Yup, looks like that plunger rod has filled the entire window.
LISSETTE: Great. If it hasn’t, that means you may not have received the full dose. Contact your doctor if this happens. Remove the autoinjector by lifting it straight up—put the used autoinjector in the sharps container, not the trash, right after use. Never reuse the autoinjector or clear cap. After the injection, a small amount of blood or medicine may be present on your skin. If needed, add pressure with a cotton ball or gauze and apply a small bandage.
PATIENT: That’s why we always come prepared.
LISSETTE: That’s it! You’re done.
PATIENT: So, when I get my next autoinjector, can I store it anywhere?
LISSETTE: Well, you’ve flipped the switch to the DAWNZERA autoinjector. It’s recommended you keep it in the fridge.
PATIENT: Does it always need to stay in the fridge?
LISSETTE: Nope! DAWNZERA can be stored in its original carton at room temperature for up to six weeks.
PATIENT: Great, more room for my snacks!
LISSETTE: Just don’t expose DAWNZERA to heat or freeze it. Don’t forget to let the carton sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before injecting.
PATIENT: Noted...well let's not stand around!
LISSETTE: Alright, moving on.
PATIENT: This was so great Lissette. I wish I had you around for all my questions about my treatment journey.
LISSETTE: You do! That’s what your Patient Education Manager is here to do.
PATIENT: Okay, don’t be surprised if I call tomorrow then. I could use some help understanding my insurance too.
LISSETTE: Of course, that’s what I’m here for. Everyone who signs up for Ionis Every Step gets their own personal Patient Education Manager and support resources to help stay on track.
PATIENT: Wow, you’re always there, like a helpful neighbor or something. You wouldn’t happen to have some sugar I could borrow too?
LISSETTE: [Laughs]
If your autoinjector is in the fridge, remove it. Keep the autoinjector in the original carton and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before injecting.
The medicine should be clear and colorless to yellow. There should be no particles. It is normal to see air bubbles in the solution.
Choose an injection site on the stomach or the front of the thigh. If a caregiver is helping you, the back of the upper arm can also be chosen.
Wash your hands with soap and water. Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe in a circular motion. Let the skin air dry.
Do not touch the cleaned skin before injecting.
Remove and throw away the clear cap. Place the orange needle shield at a 90-degree angle against your skin. Push firmly and hold the autoinjector straight against the skin. You will hear a click as the injection starts.
You may hear a second click. This is normal. The procedure is not finished.
Hold the autoinjector against the skin for 10 seconds to make sure the full dose has been given. Remove the autoinjector by lifting it straight up.
Put the used autoinjector in a sharps container after use.
Refer to the Instructions for Use or the How to Use DAWNZERA video above before each injection to ensure proper use.
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