Health Canada updates safety information on Tysabri

Updated Thu. Feb. 19 2009 7:31 AM ET

The Canadian Press

TORONTO -- Health Canada has posted updated safety information from the maker of Tysabri, a drug for people with multiple sclerosis.

Biogen Idec Canada says there have been reports of a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, in patients who have been given Tysabri.

Since the drug came on the market, there have been five cases of PML around the world, including one case that resulted in death. The drug has been approved for use in Canada since 2006.

Tysabri is authorized for the treatment of the relapsing-remitting form of MS, in which patients have periods when they experience symptoms, alternating with periods when they're don't.

PML usually happens in people with weakened immune systems. Signs and symptoms include: progressive weakness on one side of the body; clumsiness of limbs; disturbance of vision; changes in thinking, memory and orientation; confusion; and personality changes.

Some of the symptoms are similar to those of MS, so patients are advised to contact their doctor immediately if their MS gets worse or if these symptoms develop.

The drug's maker says the prescribing information for Tysabri has been updated to include more information on PML.

More than 37,000 patients around the world are taking the drug.

[Wobbly]

Hi there...this is very interesting... I wonder what the States has to say about this?

hope your doing well.. or as well as can be...

take care
wobbly
undx