Tysabri (Natalizumab) is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).
Why have I been prescribed Tysabri?
Tysabri (Natalizumab) is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).
How does it work?
- MS causes inflammation in the brain that damages the nerve cells.
- In Tysabri the active ingredient is natalizumab, a protein similar to your own antibodies.
- It stops the cells that cause inflammation from going into your brain.
- This reduces nerve damage caused by MS.
When and how do I take it?
Tysabri will be prepared and given to you by a doctor. It is given by a drip into a vein in your arm and takes about an hour. You will receive it once every four weeks.
What’s the dose?
300mg every four weeks.
Could it interact with other tablets?
Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines you may have obtained without a prescription. You may not be able to use TYSABRI with some medicines that affect your immune system.
Herbal products should also only be taken after talking with your doctor.
What are the possible risks or side-effects?
Like all medicines, TYSABRI can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you have any worrying side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible.
Speak to your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following: Signs of allergy to TYSABRI, during or shortly after your infusion:
- Itchy rash (hives)
- Swelling of your face, lips or tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Increase or decrease in your blood pressure (your doctor or nurse will notice this if they are monitoring your blood pressure).
Signs of a possible liver problem:
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Unusual darkening of the urine.
TYSABRI can also have other side effects. Side effects are listed below by how commonly they have been reported in clinical trials:
Common side effects that may occur in less than 10 in 100 patients:
- Urinary tract infection
- Sore throat and runny or blocked up nose
- Shivering
- Itchy rash (hives)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Tiredness.
Uncommon side effects that may occur in less than 1 in 100 patients:
- Severe allergy (hypersensitivity).
Rare side effects that may occur in less than 1 in 1000 patients:
- Unusual infections (so-called “Opportunistic infections”)
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare brain infection.
What to do if your MS gets worse or you notice new symptoms. There have been reports of a rare brain infection called PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) that have occurred in patients who have been given Tysabri. PML usually leads to severe disability or death.
The symptoms of PML may be similar to an MS relapse.
- Therefore, if you believe your MS is getting worse or if you notice any new symptoms, it is important that you speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
- Discuss your treatment with your partner or caregivers. They might see new symptoms that you might not notice such as changes in mood or behaviour, memory lapses, speech and communication difficulties, which your doctor may need to investigate further to rule out PML.
- Show the Alert Card and this package leaflet to any doctor involved with your treatment, not only to your neurologist.
Can I drink alcohol while taking it?
- There are no known interactions between alcohol and Tysabri.
- Always ask you doctor or pharmacist however as other medications you are taking may have a bearing on this.
What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?
- You should not use Tysabri if you are pregnant unless you have discussed this with your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or if you are planning to become pregnant.
- Do not breast-feed whilst using Tysabri. You should discuss with your doctor whether you choose to breast-feed or to use Tysabri.
If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.
Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.
References:
https://www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/Safety-Notices/emea_h_c_603_a20_0029_tysabri_dhpc_ireland_final.pdf?sfvrsn=0
https://www.tysabri.com/
http://www.ms-society.ie/uploads/File/Living%20with%20MS/Our%20publications/Tysabri.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalizumab
http://www.drugs.com/tysabri.html
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