Tysabri vs Mavenclad
New here 👋🏼. I have been on Brabio for the past 3 years, but had a relapse recently. The 1st one that I had to take steroids for (that was fun…NOT) and have a few more legions on my spine and brain. With worsening symptoms, my Neurologist wants me to move over to more “affective” meds. Still going through blood tests, and have to have a few immunizations before I switch over. Anyone else had the choice between Tysabri and Mavenclad? Which did you go for? Any serious side affects with either that you experienced other than the ones published aka death…
Just in case you are interested, it sounds like you would qualify for the Star-MS trial. Your neuro may not have mentioned it as there are some that won't refer into clinical trials and don't agree with the use of AHSCT. You would be allocated AHSCT or a drug (cladrabine (mavenclad), ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, alemtuzumab) and you would be really well monitored. They don't offer tysabri on the drug arm. It's worth thinking about, MS Society have some information and the trial website is https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/starms/home and Aims Charity also provide information and phone advice. GP can refer you to Sheffield if you want to investigate it but your neurologist is against it. In answer to your question I was on tysabri when I was diagnosed as neuro felt mavenclad may not work fast enough. I moved to AHSCT after a year. There is a Facebook group that I joined for tysabri and I would say that the vast majority really like this drug. Good luck with what you decide.
Hey @chadpret 👋 my shortlist was the same two drugs when I was diagnosed. Have a look at the MS Decisions tool on the MS Trust website, you can compare side effects and is a good starting pointing for info. I opted for Tysabri in the end, and have experienced very little in terms of side effects, just feel groggy and headachey for about 24 hours after the infusion but sometimes totally fine. I think Tysabri is classed as ‘highly effective’ whereas Mavenclad is slightly less effective but taking a pill is obviously a lot more straight forward than going to the infusion unit every 4 weeks 😂 all the best with your decision!