Tysabri (Natalizumab)

What is Tysabri?

Tysabri is a prescription medicine approved for patients with relapsing forms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Tysabri works to slow the worsening of disability that is common in patients with MS as well as to decrease the number of flare-ups (relapses). Tysabri is an antibody (a protein made by your immune system) that works differently than other MS drugs. This drug is thought to inhibit white blood cells from getting into the brain and attacking the nerves which results in fewer brain lesions that cause MS symptoms.

The Benefits of Tysabri:

Tysabri may offer many MS patients the strength to reach their high hopes. It has been proven to slow the worsening of disability and lower the frequency of flare-ups. Tysabri has also been shown to reduce the number of new-active MRI lesions.

Like all medicines, Tysabri should only be used by certain patients. Every MS patient’s experience is different and there is no single MS treatment that is right for everyone. But, if you have a relapsing form of MS, Tysabri may be the right MS treatment for you. Talk to your doctor to find out if Tysabri is right for you.

What You Need to Know Before Taking Tysabri:

Like all medicines, treatment with Tysabri has benefits and risks. You need to know as much as possible about both before you start Tysabri. Tysabri increases your chances of getting a rare brain infection, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) that usually causes death or severe disability. Because of the chance of getting PML, Tysabri is generally recommended for patients who have not been helped enough by, or cannot tolerate other treatments for MS. It is not recommended for patients with a weakened immune system, such as HIV infection or AIDS, leukemia or lymphoma, or organ transplant patients.

Tysabri Side Effects:

Treatment with Tysabri may come with side effects such as headache, infections (urinary tract, lung, and vaginitis), pain in arms and legs or joints, feeling tired, depression, diarrhea, rash or stomach pain. Signs of allergic reactions may include hives, rash, itching, flushing of skin, trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness, chills, nausea and low blood pressure. Discuss your questions about side effects or possible allergic reactions with your physician and your infusion nurse.

Dosing and Length of Infusion:

Tysabri 300 mg/100 cc is administered by an intravenous (IV) infusion once every 4 weeks. The infusion itself will take approximately 1 hour and you will be observed for an additional hour to make sure you are not having any reactions that may need medical help.