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FAQs about TYSABRI

Get answers to your questions about TYSABRI by selecting one of the topics below.

What-is-TYSABRI-icon What is
TYSABRI?

What kind of medication is TYSABRI?

TYSABRI is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) that has been available to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) for over 15 years. DMTs may help:

  • Slow the progression of new or growing lesions
  • Reduce the number of relapses
  • Delay disability progression

It’s important to note that DMTs do not treat symptoms. Instead, they aim to work at the root of relapsing MS disease activity. Learn more.

How is TYSABRI thought to work?

We don’t fully understand how TYSABRI works. But it’s thought to play a role in preventing rogue immune cells from entering your central nervous system (CNS) and mistakenly attacking your nerve cells.

By keeping B and T cells in your bloodstream and blocking them from entering your CNS, TYSABRI may help reduce damage to your nerve cells. Watch a video to learn more about how TYSABRI is thought to work.

What’s the difference between TYSABRI and a biosimilar?

TYSABRI is a biologic medicine which means it’s made from living things like cells and proteins. When compared with its proposed biosimilar medicine, a biologic medicine can also be known as the "reference" medicine.

A biosimilar medicine has a similar structure and function to an FDA-approved biologic medicine. The FDA will compare the biosimilar against the reference medicine to ensure there are no significant differences.

There are many factors to keep in mind when you and your healthcare provider are considering treatment options for your relapsing MS. Some topics you may want to bring up to your healthcare team include:

  • How well your current treatment is working for you
  • Your most recent MRIs and bloodwork
  • Financial or patient support

What is the difference between a biosimilar and a generic medicine?

A biosimilar medicine is not the same as a generic medicine. A biosimilar is a biologic medicine that is highly similar to an already-approved biologic medicine. This differs from generics, which have the same active ingredient as their reference medicine.

Both biosimilar and generic medicines do get compared to an original or reference product. Both medicines go through a thorough review process by the FDA to ensure there are no significant differences.

Taking-TYSABRI-infusion-icon Taking TYSABRI
infusions

How is TYSABRI given?

TYSABRI is administered every 28 days as an infusion by a trained healthcare professional. The actual infusion takes an hour.

For your first 12 infusions, you'll be asked to stay for an additional hour for routine observation. After your 12th infusion, your healthcare provider may decide to shorten or skip the observation period.

What is the TOUCH® Prescribing Program?

The TOUCH Prescribing Program is a risk monitoring program for anyone receiving TYSABRI. TOUCH ensures that you communicate closely with your healthcare team to monitor progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) risk over time, so you can decide whether TYSABRI remains right for you. Your doctor, nurse, pharmacy, and infusion center are all part of the TOUCH program.

Where can I find a TYSABRI infusion center near me?

You can receive TYSABRI only through the TOUCH Prescribing Program. An infusion location can be in a doctor’s office, hospital, or at its own facility.

Use our infusion site locator to find a treatment center near you.

How long can you stay on TYSABRI?

You may be treated with TYSABRI for as long as you and your healthcare team decide it is right for you. In the US, more than 40% of people being treated with TYSABRI have been using it for more than 5 years.*

*Of the 26,776 patients taking TYSABRI, 12,537 (46.8%) have been treated with TYSABRI for >5 years as of March 2023.

TYSABRI-side-effects-icon TYSABRI side
effects

Does TYSABRI cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)?

No, TYSABRI does not cause PML. However, taking TYSABRI can increase your risk of getting it. Many people have concerns about getting PML from taking TYSABRI, but it’s important to know that you can only get PML if you’ve been infected with the John Cunningham (JC) Virus. Your risk of getting PML is less than 1% regardless of JC Virus antibody status. Learn more about the JC Virus and PML.

Everyone’s risk of developing PML is different, so you should have a conversation with your healthcare team before starting TYSABRI.

Does TYSABRI have serious side effects?

TYSABRI can cause serious side effects, which include:

  • Herpes infections
  • Liver damage
  • Allergic reactions
  • Weakened immune system
  • Low platelet counts

What are the most common side effects of TYSABRI?

The most common side effects are:

  • Headache
  • Feeling tired
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Joint pain
  • Lung infection
  • Depression
  • Pain in your arms or legs
  • Diarrhea
  • Vaginitis
  • Rash
  • Nose and throat infections
  • Nausea
  • Stomach area pain

If you experience any side effect that bothers you or does not go away, tell your doctor.

Support-while-on-TYSABRI-icon Support while
on TYSABRI

What is Biogen Support Services and how can they help?

Biogen Support Services is here to help you throughout your time on TYSABRI. From the moment you start treatment, Biogen Support Services provides:

  • One-on-one phone support from our Biogen Support Coordinators available 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday
  • A variety of financial and insurance support services, including our Biogen Copay Program or Infusion Copay Assistance Program (if you’re eligible)
  • Information about TYSABRI treatment and support services
  • Support available in Spanish

To get started, call 1-800-456-2255 Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 8 PM ET. Remember, your healthcare team is always your best source of information.

We also recommend

Hear about TYSABRI from
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Care partner resources

What is TYSABRI?

TYSABRI is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. TYSABRI increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). When starting and continuing treatment with TYSABRI, it is important to discuss with your doctor whether the expected benefit of TYSABRI is enough to outweigh this risk. 

It is not known if TYSABRI is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TYSABRI?

TYSABRI increases your risk of getting a rare brain infection—called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)—that usually leads to death or severe disability.

  • There is no known treatment, prevention, or cure for PML
  • You should not take certain medicines that weaken your immune system at the same time you are taking TYSABRI. Even if you use TYSABRI alone to treat your MS, you can still get PML
  • Your risk of getting PML is higher if you:
    • have been infected by the John Cunningham Virus (JCV). JCV is a common virus that can cause PML in people who have weakened immune systems, such as people taking TYSABRI. Before or while you receive TYSABRI, your doctor may do a blood test to check if you have been infected by JCV
    • have received TYSABRI for a long time, especially for longer than 2 years
    • have received certain medicines that can weaken your immune system before you start receiving TYSABRI
  • Your risk of getting PML is greatest if you have all 3 risk factors listed above. There may be other risk factors that have not yet been identified
  • Patients who are anti-JCV antibody negative are still at risk for the development of PML due to the potential for a new JCV infection or a false negative test result. Therefore, patients with a negative test result should be retested periodically
  • While you receive TYSABRI, and for 6 months after you stop receiving TYSABRI, it is important that you call your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems (such as problems with your thinking, eyesight, balance, or strength; weakness on 1 side of your body; and using your arms and legs) that have lasted several days. Tell all of your doctors that you are getting treatment with TYSABRI
  • Because of your risk of getting PML while you receive TYSABRI, TYSABRI is available only through a restricted distribution program called the TOUCH® Prescribing Program

Who should not receive TYSABRI?

Do not receive TYSABRI if you have PML or are allergic to natalizumab or any of the ingredients in TYSABRI.

What should I tell my doctor before receiving each dose of TYSABRI?

Before receiving TYSABRI, it is important to tell your doctor:

  • If you have a medical condition that can weaken your immune system, such as HIV infection or AIDS, leukemia or lymphoma, organ transplant, or others, or if you have any new or worsening medical problems that have lasted several days
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TYSABRI may cause low platelets, and in some cases also low red blood cells (anemia), in your newborn baby if you take TYSABRI while you are pregnant. It is not known if TYSABRI can cause birth defects
  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. TYSABRI can pass into your breast milk. It is not known if TYSABRI that passes into your breast milk can harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while you receive TYSABRI
  • About all of the medicines and supplements you take, especially medicines that can weaken your immune system. If you are not sure, ask your doctor

What are the possible side effects of TYSABRI?

TYSABRI can cause serious side effects. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, call your doctor right away:

  • Herpes infections. Increased risk of infection of the brain or the covering of your brain and spinal cord (encephalitis or meningitis) caused by herpes viruses that may lead to death. Symptoms include sudden fever, severe headache, or confusion. Infection of the eye caused by herpes viruses leading to blindness in some patients has occurred. Call your doctor if you have changes in vision, redness, or eye pain
  • Liver damage. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), unusual darkening of the urine, nausea, feeling tired or weak, or vomiting
  • Allergic reactions (e.g., hives, itching, trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness, wheezing, chills, rash, nausea, flushing of skin, low blood pressure), including serious allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis). Serious allergic reactions usually happen within 2 hours of the start of the infusion, but they can happen any time after receiving TYSABRI
  • Weakened immune system. TYSABRI may increase your risk of getting an unusual or serious infection
  • Low platelet counts. TYSABRI may cause the number of platelets in your blood to be reduced. Symptoms include easy bruising, small scattered spots on your skin that are red, pink or purple, heavier menstrual periods than are normal, bleeding from your gums or nose that is new or takes longer than usual to stop, or bleeding from a cut that is hard to stop

The most common side effects of TYSABRI are:

  • Headache, feeling tired, urinary tract infection, joint pain, lung infection, depression, pain in your arms or legs, diarrhea, vaginitis, rash, nose and throat infections, nausea, stomach area pain. If you experience any side effect that bothers you or does not go away, tell your doctor

These are not all of the possible side effects of TYSABRI. For more information, ask your doctor. To report side effects to FDA, please call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

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About TYSABRI
Why TYSABRI? Safety considerations Long-term study Taking TYSABRI Watch a TYSABRI webinar How TYSABRI works
Starting TYSABRI
Talking to your doctor The TOUCH Program Find an infusion site Infusion reminders
What is relapsing MS?
Learn about RMS
Personal stories
Videos
Support & events
Biogen Support Services Support Coordinators Financial & insurance assistance TYSABRI events FAQs about TYSABRI Care partner resources

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