Description
Tysabri
Buy Tysabri for patients that have multiple sclerosis. This medicine has the generic name of natalizumab, and is usually used to treat various types of multiple sclerosis, and can also be used to treat severe or moderate Chron’s disease in adults.
Who benefits the most from Tysabri
The ones who are best targeted for treatment are those who have relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, which include active secondary progressive disease and relapsing-remitting disease.
Ailments Treated with Tysabri
As mentioned before, the drug is used to treat relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, also known as RRMS. In particular, it can be used for highly active disease despite the adequate and full course of treatment even when using at least one disease modifying therapy. It is also indicated for use in adult’s Chron’s disease, also given when a lot of other treatments did not produce results.
How does Tysabri work?
The active ingredient in Tysabri is natalizumab, which is a kind of monoclonal antibody. This antibody is specifically designed to target only one kind of protein, and in this case, the protein is α4β1 (alpha 4 beta 1) integrin, and they are found on blood cells that are involved in inflammation. By having Tysabri attach itself onto the integrin, the drug will then prevent the white blood cells from getting inside the spinal cord and brain tissue, leading to reduced inflammation, which if left untreated, could possibly lead to nerve damage. It also helps with the other symptoms of the disease it is treating.
Treatment Details
Tysabri is usually introduced via an IV infusion into a vein. Usually given once every 4 weeks, the solution will be administered by a professional healthcare provider. The infusion is given slowly with sessions taking at least 1 hour to finish. After this is done, another hour will be spend observing the patient to ensure no allergic reaction is experienced. However, it should be noted that reactions can still occur up to 2 hours after the infusion. Before the first dose, and MRI may be recommended to make sure no infection of the brain has happened.
How long does Tysabri last?
If there is no benefit observed after 12 weeks, the treatment will be discontinued especially for patients with Chron’s disease. If the results are hopeful, Tysabri can be taken for as long as needed, and for people with MS, some noted an improvement at 12 weeks, but it can sometimes take up to 2 years for the full effects to show.
Safety Information
Patients with hypersensitivities to any of Tysabri’s components should avoid it. Those who have active infections or opportunistic infections should not use this either. Patients using other DMTs should avoid Tysabri, as well as if they have any active malignancies, except for those with cutaneous basal cell carcinoma.
Things to know before taking the medicine
Tysabri has is known to possibly cause brain infection called a progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML. This is more likely when the medication is taken for over 2 years, if an immunosuppressant drug has been used in the past, or with prior infection with John Cunningham Virus.
This medication is mostly only available under pharmacies that are under the TOUCH Prescribing Program. Patients need to be registered to the program and understand both the benefits and risks of taking these meds. That patient needs to inform the doctor of these things prior to taking the medication:
- Fever or active infection
- Leukemia or lymphoma
- Herpes or shingles
- HIV, AIDS, or another immunocompromising condition
- Liver disease
- Hives, itching, or trouble breathing after a dose of this medication
- An organ transplant
Other Side Effects
These are signs of infections and if the patient has them, they should immediately call the doctor
- Confusion, memory problems
- Sudden fever or severe headache
- Vision changes
- Speech or walking problems
- Trouble with using arms and leges
- Weakness on one side of the body
Common side effects include:
- Tired feeling, headache
- Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain
- Joint pain, pain in arms and legs
- Cold symptoms
For a full list, please check the package leaflet.
Recovery Time
Patients are more susceptible to infections as the medication can weaken the immune system, so frequent blood tests and checkups every 3 to 6 months are usually done to make sure the patient is doing well. Spinal taps or brain scans may also be needed if there are signs of a brain infection.
Cost of Tysabri
One vial of 300mg/15ml will average for around $9427.
Bottom line
In clinical studies, Tysabri was able to reduce the number of remissions and relapses, as well as the worsening of disability, which was measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. The study showed Tysabri patients had 68% less MS attacks after one year.
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