Tysabri

Pronunciation: NA-ta-LIZ-oo-mab
Generic Name: Natalizumab
Brand Name: Tysabri

Tysabri increases the risk of a certain type of viral brain infection (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy [PML]). PML may cause severe disability or death. Your risk of PML may be greater if you currently take or have recently taken other medicines that may weaken your immune system, such as immunosuppressants (eg, 6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate) or immunomodulators (eg, interferon beta). Your risk of developing PML may also increase with the number of infusions of Tysabri you receive. Tell your doctor at once if you notice any new or worsening symptoms. These may include changes in thinking, eyesight, balance, memory, or strength; clumsiness; confusion; or personality changes.

You can only get Tysabri through a special program called the TOUCH Prescribing Program. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions about this program.

Tysabri is used for:

Treating certain forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) by slowing the worsening of physical disability and reducing the number of symptom flare-ups. It is usually given to patients who cannot use other MS treatments or for whom other MS treatments have not worked well enough. Tysabri is also used to treat moderate to severe Crohn disease in certain patients.

Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block certain inflammatory cells from getting into the brain, which may help slow the progression of MS. Tysabri does not cure MS.

Do NOT use Tysabri if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tysabri


• you have ever had PML


• you have Crohn disease and are also using an immunosuppressant (eg, 6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate) or a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitor (eg, adalimumab)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tysabri:

Some medical conditions may interact with Tysabri. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have liver problems, immune system problems, a fever, herpes, shingles, or an infection


• if you have a condition that may weaken your immune system (eg, HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma) or you have had an organ transplant


• if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments, or you are taking corticosteroids (eg, prednisone)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tysabri. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antineoplastics (eg, cisplatin), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), immunomodulators (eg, interferon beta), immunosuppressants (eg, 6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate), or TNF-alpha inhibitors (eg, adalimumab) because the risk of developing PML may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tysabri may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tysabri:

Use Tysabri as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Tysabri comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Tysabri refilled.


• Tysabri is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• If you miss a dose of Tysabri, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tysabri.

Important safety information:

• Tysabri may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tysabri with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Tysabri is not a cure for MS or Crohn disease. Remain under the care of your doctor.


• Tysabri may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Serious allergic reactions have occurred with the use of Tysabri. If a serious reaction occurs, it is usually within 2 hours after you receive Tysabri. However, a serious reaction may occur at any time. Contact your doctor at once if you develop hives, itching, trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness, chills, rash, nausea, or flushing.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you use Tysabri before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, liver function, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, may be performed while you use Tysabri. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• You will need to see your doctor 3 months and 6 months after your first dose of Tysabri. You will also need to see your doctor at least every 6 months after that. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Tysabri should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Tysabri is not approved for use in children.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tysabri while you are pregnant. It is not known if Tysabri is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tysabri, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Tysabri:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; headache; indigestion; joint pain; mild stomach discomfort; muscle cramps; pain in the arms or legs; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; changes in balance, eyesight, memory, strength, or thinking; chest pain or discomfort; clumsiness; confusion; depression; dizziness; fainting; fast heartbeat; feeling cold; fever, chills, cough, or persistent sore throat; flushing; muscle pain; nausea; painful menstrual periods; painful urination or changes in the amount of urine; personality changes; severe or persistent headache or tiredness; severe or persistent stomach or back pain; shortness of breath or wheezing; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or legs; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; right-sided stomach pain; unusual loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes); tremor; vaginal discharge, itching, or odor.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Tysabri side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Tysabri:

Tysabri is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. Keep Tysabri out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Tysabri, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Tysabri is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tysabri. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Tysabri resources

• Tysabri Side Effects (in more detail)
• Tysabri Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Tysabri Drug Interactions
• Tysabri Support Group
• 24 Reviews for Tysabri - Add your own review/rating

• Tysabri Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Tysabri Consumer Overview


• Tysabri Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Tysabri Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Natalizumab Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Tysabri with other medications

• Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
• Multiple Sclerosis