Aa
Tysabri
I had been on Tysabri for 22 month's and just recently stopped. I was wondering if any new info. is out there on the drug Rituxan for MS? I have SPMS with RRMS. I was in a study 3 yrs. ago at UCSF and did really well on Rituxan. However, Rituxan is not an approved drug for MS and at that time my insurance would not cover it so I had to discontinue taking it. Or should I just take a break for awhile and not take any ms med"s?
Thank-You, Joie
Thank-You, Joie
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I can not make recommendations regarding treatment with rituximab or any other medication. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding rituximab in MS. I will say though that as you know, the goal of therapies for MS is to prevent relapses and accumulation of lesions in the brain and spine. While being off medications for a few weeks or even months is probably not detrimental, in the long term, it is optimal for patients who can tolerate the side effects of MS medications to be on them.
Rituximab is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody: it targets specific proteins found on one type of immune system cell called a B cell. It was originally used as chemotherapy for certain types of cancer, but was then found to be effective in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
At this stage, it can be said that the well-designed research studies that have been done on rituximab, though preliminary (phase II of research), are promising. The results of a study released in February 2008 (conducted in part at UCSF; this may have been the study you were part of) showed that the MRI of patients treated with rituximab showed less enhancing lesions (meaning active MS lesions) than patients not treated with rituximab. As a secondary goal of the study, it was demonstrated that patients treated with rituximab also had less clinical relapse. However, long-term safety was not assessed in this study.
In another study, rituximab did not slow the progression of primary progressive MS (PPMS).
The side effects of rituximab in other patient populations that have been treated with this medication (such as patients with rheumatoid arthritis) include allergic reactions, infections (that take advantage of the suppressed immune system caused by rituximab), flu-like symptoms, low blood pressure, and others.
While rituximab seems promising as a treatment for MS, further research is required. Trials are ongoing, and if the results are positive, it will hopefully be come approved by insurance. In the meantime, you would benefit from follow-up with your neurologist to discuss further treatment options, and the risks and benefits of not being on medications.
Thank you for using the forum, I hope you find this information useful, good luck.
Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I can not make recommendations regarding treatment with rituximab or any other medication. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding rituximab in MS. I will say though that as you know, the goal of therapies for MS is to prevent relapses and accumulation of lesions in the brain and spine. While being off medications for a few weeks or even months is probably not detrimental, in the long term, it is optimal for patients who can tolerate the side effects of MS medications to be on them.
Rituximab is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody: it targets specific proteins found on one type of immune system cell called a B cell. It was originally used as chemotherapy for certain types of cancer, but was then found to be effective in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
At this stage, it can be said that the well-designed research studies that have been done on rituximab, though preliminary (phase II of research), are promising. The results of a study released in February 2008 (conducted in part at UCSF; this may have been the study you were part of) showed that the MRI of patients treated with rituximab showed less enhancing lesions (meaning active MS lesions) than patients not treated with rituximab. As a secondary goal of the study, it was demonstrated that patients treated with rituximab also had less clinical relapse. However, long-term safety was not assessed in this study.
In another study, rituximab did not slow the progression of primary progressive MS (PPMS).
The side effects of rituximab in other patient populations that have been treated with this medication (such as patients with rheumatoid arthritis) include allergic reactions, infections (that take advantage of the suppressed immune system caused by rituximab), flu-like symptoms, low blood pressure, and others.
While rituximab seems promising as a treatment for MS, further research is required. Trials are ongoing, and if the results are positive, it will hopefully be come approved by insurance. In the meantime, you would benefit from follow-up with your neurologist to discuss further treatment options, and the risks and benefits of not being on medications.
Thank you for using the forum, I hope you find this information useful, good luck.
Hi, well first of all my neuro. is not sure that I have RRMS, we think it is SPMS only, and we don't really think it was doing alot for me. It made me really depressed and I had alot of infection's...strep throat 2 time's, UTI's, canker sores...And I never had those problems before. I have been off Tysabri for almost 2 month's now, the dr. said it take's awhile to get out of your system but I think I already feel stronger. But, we will see? I had an MRI 2 weeks ago and will have another one in 5 month's...to see if I have any new lesions.
I know it is scary...what to do? I have a few friends on Tysabri and they have done great...so who know's. If you have RRMS then I would go for it!! Maybe my disability's (like walking) was to far gone...I also was on Copaxone for many yrs. but was progressing on it...If you are not progressing then I don't know? Hard to know.
I know it is scary...what to do? I have a few friends on Tysabri and they have done great...so who know's. If you have RRMS then I would go for it!! Maybe my disability's (like walking) was to far gone...I also was on Copaxone for many yrs. but was progressing on it...If you are not progressing then I don't know? Hard to know.
I was thinking of trying Tysabri. I am on Copaxone right now and after 3 years I just can't do it anymore, a shot everyday is getting very painful now and just awful. Why did you stop Tysabri.
Amy
Amy
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