A Rather Big Week in MS Drug News Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Multiple Sclerosis
A Rather Big Week in MS Drug News
By Trevis GleasonFor Life With Multiple SclerosisReviewed: September 24, 2012Everyday Health BlogsFact-CheckedLast week held two rather large announcements for those of us living with multiple sclerosis and considering the cost/benefit ratio of disease modifying drugs. One new oral drug was approved by the FDA and another in the final stages of testing announced results. First, the drug Teriflunomide, marketed as Aubagio was approved by the FDA on Wednesday. In discussions with MS specializing neurologists this weekend, I was told that they expect the drug to be available to patients as soon as the end of next month. One doc called Aubagio a “mild chemotherapy” type drug and a “cousin” to the drug Leflunomide which is used for rheumatoid arthritis (another condition in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue, like MS). Studies show that this drug is at least as effective as several other MS drugs and has a good safety record. Side-effects listed common by the FDA include; diarrhea, abnormal liver tests, nausea, and hair loss. Also listed as possible adverse reactions are; liver problems, including death, and a risk of birth defects. “ If, according to the FDA warnings, you decide to think about Aubagio, “Physicians should do blood tests to check liver function before a patient starts taking Aubagio and periodically during treatment.” Also included in the FDA’s warning is an alert noting that, based on animal studies, the drug may cause fetal harm. For this reason, Aubagio is labeled as Pregnancy Category X, which means women of childbearing age must have a negative pregnancy test before starting the drug and use effective birth control during treatment.” One rumor going around has it that the manufacturers of Aubagio plan to price this drug below many others on the market. It is yet to be seen if this happens and/or if it will have any result on other drugs’ prices or the rate at which insurance companies encourage its use over other MS Meds. Also in the news was the latest about Dimethyl Fumarate. Many of you may have heard rumblings about this drug being tested as BG-12. In a topical application for psoriasis this drug has proven safe and effective. Psoriasis is also thought to be a disorder in which the immune system attacks what it’s not supposed to. If all goes well, an oral application of this drug is expected to be approved for MS treatments early next year. With all of this news, I wonder if you’ve heard it already? Has your “support network” been sending you e-mails about the news? Will you discuss these new drugs with your medical team at your next visit? In short; how does this news affect you? Wishing you and your family the best of health. Cheers Trevis Don’t forget that you can also follow me via our Life With MS Facebook page, on Twitter, and our new group on MS Connection.org. Check out our bi-monthly blog for the UK and look for our Very Special new monthly blog for the National MS Society. Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.See More NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Multiple Sclerosis Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Multiple Sclerosis
How to Craft a Life s Mission Statement
By Trevis GleasonOctober 21, 2022 Dysarthria When MS Makes It Hard to Speak
By Mona SenOctober 20, 2022 Is That Really How I Walk
By Trevis GleasonOctober 18, 2022 How Do You Know When to Throw in the Towel
By Trevis GleasonOctober 14, 2022 Living With MS What to Know About Neuropathic Pain and How to Manage It
Neuropathic pain is not your average pain. Here’s what to know about this unique type of MS pain and how to find relief.By Kerry WeissOctober 12, 2022 UTIs and MS The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
If you have multiple sclerosis, you may be prone to frequent urinary tract infections. Besides being painful, UTIs can make MS worse, so it’s important...By Kerry WeissOctober 12, 2022 Why Is Orange the Color of MS
By Trevis GleasonOctober 11, 2022 13 Celebrities Who Have Multiple Sclerosis
Look among the millions of people with multiple sclerosis and you'll find famous faces, too. Learn how some of these celebrities are dealing with MS and...By Regina Boyle WheelerOctober 11, 2022 We All Have Something to Teach Our MS Doctors
By Trevis GleasonOctober 7, 2022 EBV An MS Box I Can Finally Tick
By Trevis GleasonOctober 4, 2022 More In Life With Multiple Sclerosis How to Craft a Life s Mission Statement
Is That Really How I Walk
How Do You Know When to Throw in the Towel