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Natalizumab

Post your experience

Important: If you notice an itchy rash, swelling of your face or mouth, or develop difficulty breathing soon after receiving natalizumab, contact a doctor immediately or go to your local Accident and Emergency department straight away.

About natalizumab

Type of medicine	Monoclonal antibody
Used for	Multiple sclerosis
Also called	Tysabri
Available as	Concentrate for intravenous infusion

In multiple sclerosis, inflammation in the brain damages nerve cells. Natalizumab reduces this nerve damage by stopping the cells that cause this inflammation from going into the brain.

Before taking natalizumab

Before taking natalizumab make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you suffer from Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). This is a rare infection of the brain.
If you have an infection, or if you are at risk of an infection due to a problem with your immune system.
If you have cancer.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
If you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.

How to take natalizumab

Natalizumab will be prepared for you and given to you by a specialised doctor.
It is given once a month by infusion (as a drip) usually into a vein in the arm, over 1 hour.

Getting the most from your treatment

Your doctor will give you a Patient Alert Card to carry with you whilst you are having natalizumab. It contains information for you to read.
It is important that you have natalizumab regularly each month. Missing doses can lead to complications.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking and show them the Patient Alert Card that you have been given.
Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take with natalizumab.

Can natalizumab cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Feeling sick or being sick	Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Dizziness	Getting up slowly may help. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs that could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Headache	Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor.

Other unwanted effects associated with the infusion are: flushing, tiredness, stiffness, high temperature, joint pain and itching.

If you believe the symptoms of your multiple sclerosis are getting worse or you notice any new symptoms, speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

Important: If you develop unexplained fever, severe diarrhoea, long spells of dizziness with headache and neck stiffness, weight loss or loss of energy; or if you notice an itchy rash, swelling of your face or mouth or develop difficulty breathing soon after receiving natalizumab, contact your doctor without delay.

How to store natalizumab

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a refrigerator protected from light. Do not freeze.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you have had an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

British National Formulary; 54th Edition (September 2007) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).
Manufacturer's PIL, Tysabri ® Biogen Idec Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Approved 11/2006, accessed 13 November 2007.

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID:
8599

DocRef:
dils3927

Last Updated:
26 Nov 2007

Date of Next Review:
25 Nov 2009

Version:
3

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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