Tyruko (Natalizumab-Sztn) for Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

Tyruko is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a monotherapy for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease in adults. Tyruko is also known by its drug name, natalizumab-sztn.

Tyruko is a biosimilar to Tysabri (natalizumab), which means it has no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety, purity, and potency compared to natalizumab. It belongs to a class of drugs known as integrin receptor antagonists. It is thought to work by blocking immune cells from crossing into the brain and spinal cord, thereby reducing inflammation and the frequency of relapses in MS.

How do I take it?

Prescribing information states that Tyruko is administered via intravenous (IV) infusion. It is generally administered over one hour every four weeks. A person receiving this medication should be observed during the infusion and for at least one hour afterward for the first 12 infusions. After the 12th infusion, health care providers may adjust the post-infusion observation period based on the recipient’s response. Tyruko should be administered exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects

According to the prescribing label, common side effects of Tyruko include headache, fatigue, arthralgia (joint pain), urinary tract infection, lower respiratory tract infection, gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines), vaginal infections, depression, pain in the extremities, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and rash.

Rare but serious side effects may include progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), life-threatening herpes infections (such as herpes encephalitis and meningitis), significant liver injury, hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis), infections due to weakened immune response, and thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels leading to an increased risk of bleeding).

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Tyruko — Drugs.com

Natalizumab Injection — MedlinePlus