Natalizumab Intravenous

na-ta-LYE-zoo-mab

Intravenous route(Solution)

Natalizumab increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an opportunistic viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability. Natalizumab is available only through a special restricted distribution program called the TOUCH(R) Prescribing Program in which only prescribers, infusion centers, and pharmacies associated with infusion centers registered with the program are able to prescribe, distribute, or infuse the product. Patients must be enrolled in and meet all the conditions of the TOUCH(R) Prescribing Program to receive the drug. Monitor patients for any new sign or symptom that may be suggestive of PML and discontinue therapy at the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Tysabri

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Immune Suppressant

Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody

Uses For natalizumab

Natalizumab injection is used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and patients who have not been helped by other medicines. natalizumab will not cure MS, but may delay physical disability and extend the time between relapses.

Natalizumab is also used to treat Crohn's disease (CD) in patients who have not been helped by other medicines. natalizumab will not cure CD, but may prevent it from occurring again.

natalizumab is only available with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using natalizumab

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For natalizumab, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to natalizumab or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of natalizumab injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of natalizumab injection have not been performed in the geriatric population. However, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of natalizumab. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Liver disease—Use with caution. natalizumab may make this condition worse.

• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare virus infection of the brain that causes severe muscle disability)—People who have PML or who have ever had PML should not receive natalizumab.

• Weakened immune system (e.g., HIV infection, AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, or organ transplant recipient)—natalizumab is not recommended, because people with these conditions may be more likely to get infections including PML.

Proper Use of natalizumab

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you natalizumab. natalizumab is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

You must enroll in a prescribing program called TOUCH™ in order to begin receiving natalizumab. Your doctor will explain the program and have you sign an enrollment form. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions about the TOUCH™ prescribing program. It is very important that you understand and follow all of the instructions for the program.

Your doctor may need to check your brain before you start using natalizumab. To do this, you may need to have a test known as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.

Natalizumab comes with a medication guide. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.

Precautions While Using natalizumab

Your doctor will want to check your progress at 3 months and 6 months after the first injection, then every 6 months after that. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you are currently taking interferon beta (Avonex®, Betaseron®, or Rebif®), azathioprine (Imuran®), 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, or Sandimmune®), or methotrexate Rheumatrex® or Trexall®). Natalizumab should not be given together with these medicines.

natalizumab may increase your risk of developing infections, including a rare and serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Stop using natalizumab and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: back pain, blurred vision, confusion, convulsions, difficulty with walking or other movements, dizziness, drowsiness, fever, headache, problems with vision or speaking, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Natalizumab may cause a rare condition called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). This may occur after a person who gets PML stops using the medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have an inflammatory reaction to an infection that includes mild burning, stinging, or tingling of the skin, or a feeling of heat, redness, or swelling of the skin.

Liver problems may occur while you are using natalizumab. Stop using natalizumab and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal pain or tenderness, clay-colored stools, dark urine, decreased appetite, fever, headache, itching, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, skin rash, swelling of the feet or lower legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.

natalizumab may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash; hives; itching; swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; trouble breathing; or chest pain after you receive the injection.

natalizumab Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Body produces substance that can bind to drug making it less effective or cause side effects


• cough


• difficulty with swallowing


• dizziness


• fast heartbeat


• hives


• itching


• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue


• shortness of breath


• skin rash


• tightness in the chest


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• wheezing

Rare

• Abdominal or stomach fullness


• blurred vision


• changes in behavior


• chest pain


• confusion


• difficult or labored breathing


• faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position


• feeling of warmth


• feeling unusually cold


• fever


• gaseous abdominal or stomach pain


• nausea


• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest


• shivering


• sneezing


• sore throat


• sweating


• thoughts of killing oneself


• troubled breathing


• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Back pain


• convulsions


• drowsiness


• headache

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Bladder pain


• blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin


• bloody or cloudy urine


• cracked, dry, scaly skin


• diarrhea


• difficult, burning, or painful urination


• difficulty with moving


• discouragement


• feeling sad or empty


• frequent, strong, or increased urge to urinate


• irregular menstruation


• irritability


• itching of the vagina or genital area


• lack of appetite


• loss of appetite


• loss of interest or pleasure


• lower back or side pain


• muscle pain or stiffness


• pain during sexual intercourse


• pain in the joints


• pain, cramps, or heavy bleeding


• passing urine more often


• stomach pain


• stomach soreness or discomfort


• swelling


• swollen glands


• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor


• trouble concentrating


• trouble sleeping

Less common

• Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods


• chest discomfort


• fainting


• local bleeding


• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet


• stopping of menstrual bleeding


• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: natalizumab Intravenous side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More natalizumab Intravenous resources

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

Compare natalizumab Intravenous with other medications

• Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
• Multiple Sclerosis