What is Tysabri?
Tysabri (natalizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that has been approved for the treatment of relapsing types of multiple sclerosis. Tysabri is also used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease. Tysabri is typically prescribed when previous Crohn’s disease drugs have failed to effectively treat the condition.
Tysabri uses
Natalizumab is a prescription medication that is used to treat people who have relapsing types of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or individuals who have moderate to severe Crohn’s disease.
This medicine may be administered for additional indications. Consult your physician or pharmacist for additional information.
Mechanism of action
Binds to the alpha 4-subunit of alpha 4b 1 and alpha 4b 7 integrins expressed on the surface of all leukocytes except neutrophils and inhibits leukocyte attachment to their counter-receptor via the alpha 4 subunit (s)
Dosage of Tysabri
injectable liquid
300mg/15mL
Multiple Sclerosis
For individuals with relapsing types of multiple sclerosis, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting illness, and active secondary progressive disease, this medication is indicated as monotherapy.
The Crohn’s Disease
Indicated for people with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease who have had an insufficient or intolerable response to conventional therapy and TNF-alpha inhibitors.
300 mg IV every four weeks
Administration
Every four weeks, 300 mg is administered intravenously over roughly one hour. Do not administer intravenously as a push or bolus. Within eight hours of preparation, the TYSABRI solution must be administered. Observe patients throughout the infusion and for one hour following the conclusion of the infusion.
Natalizumab side effects
Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, rash; wheezing, difficulty breathing; or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
During the injection, some allergic responses may occur. Notify your caregiver immediately if you experience dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, itching, cold, or sweating, or if you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling in your face.
Natalizumab may result in serious viral infections of the brain or spinal cord, which can be fatal or cause permanent disability.
Interaction with other medications
Interactions between drugs might alter the way they operate or raise your chance of experiencing major adverse effects. This publication is not exhaustive in its coverage of possible medication interactions. Maintain a list of all products you use (including prescription/over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements) and discuss it with your doctor and pharmacist. Without your doctor’s approval, do not begin, stop, or modify the dosage of any medication.
Several products may interact with this medication, including the following: prior or current use of other medications that impair the immune system/increase the risk of infection (such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, fingolimod, TNF blockers such as adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab), and long-term use of corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone, prednisone).
Precautions/ safety information
Prior to receiving natalizumab,
Inform your physician and pharmacist if you have an allergy to natalizumab, any other drugs, or any of the chemicals in natalizumab injection. Request a list of the components from your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all drugs, prescription and non-prescription, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using. Include all drugs specified in the IMPORTANT WARNING section. Your doctor may need to adjust your prescription doses or closely monitor you for side effects.
Inform your doctor if you have received natalizumab injections in the past and if you currently have or have ever had any of the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section. Inform your doctor prior to each natalizumab infusion if you develop a fever or any type of illness, including long-lasting infections such as shingles (a rash that may occur from time to time in people who have had chickenpox in the past).
Storage
Refrigerate between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius).
Contraindications
TYSABRI is contraindicated in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) or who have had PML.
TYSABRI is contraindicated in people who have previously experienced an allergic reaction to it. Reactions observed range from urticaria to anaphylaxis.
Pregnancy or lactation
There is insufficient data on the developmental danger of usage in pregnant women.
Data about animals
Natalizumab administration during pregnancy resulted in fetal immunologic and hematologic effects in monkeys at doses comparable to those used in humans and decreased offspring survival in guinea pigs at doses greater than those used in humans.
Doses were not harmful to pregnant animals but had the expected pharmacological effects.
Lactation
Human milk has been found to contain natalizumab.
There are no accessible data on the effects of this exposure on a breastfed newborn or on the drug’s influence on milk product.
