If you have multiple sclerosis (MS) or Crohn’s disease, your doctor may suggest treatment with Tysabri. It’s a prescription medication used in certain adults with MS or Crohn’s disease.
Tysabri is used to treat these conditions in certain situations. To learn more, see the “What is Tysabri used for?” section below.
Tysabri contains the active ingredient natalizumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work). Tysabri is a biologic medication. A biologic is made from parts of living organisms.
Tysabri is not available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.) Instead, Tysabri is only available as a brand-name drug.
Tysabri comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). You’ll receive Tysabri doses at your doctor’s office or another healthcare facility.
In this article, we describe Tysabri’s side effects, cost, uses, and more.
Like most drugs, Tysabri may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Tysabri may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Tysabri. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Tysabri can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Tysabri’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that can occur with Tysabri include:
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.
Serious side effects from Tysabri can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Tysabri, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Tysabri that have been reported include:
* For more information, see the “Boxed warning” section at the beginning of this article. † To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.
If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
Some people may have an allergic reaction to Tysabri. However, allergic reactions were rare in Tysabri’s clinical studies.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Tysabri. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Prices for prescription drugs such as Tysabri can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers. To find typical Tysabri infusion costs in your area, visit WellRx.com.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A suite of resources called Biogen Support Services may also be available.
Additionally, you can check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Tysabri.
Tysabri isn’t a kind of chemotherapy, but it is an immunosuppressant.
Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat cancer. They work by stopping cells in your body from multiplying, especially cells that grow quickly (such as cancer cells).
Immunosuppressants such as Tysabri work differently than chemotherapy drugs. Tysabri’s mechanism of action (the way it works) is that it weakens your immune system. This can help manage symptoms of your condition, but it also raises your risk of infection.
If you have questions about how Tysabri works to treat your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Stopping Tysabri isn’t expected to cause withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)
But stopping Tysabri may cause symptoms of your condition to return or worsen. For this reason, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re interested in stopping your Tysabri treatment. Your doctor can discuss other treatment options for your condition.
No, Tysabri doesn’t cause hair loss. This side effect wasn’t reported in Tysabri’s studies.
Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis can both trigger hair loss, and these are the conditions Tysabri treats. Also, other medications used to treat these conditions, such as teriflunomide (Aubagio), can cause hair loss.
If you’re concerned about hair loss, talk with your doctor.
Tysabri is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn’s disease in adults.
Tysabri’s mechanism of action (the way it works) is that it weakens your immune system. As both MS and Crohn’s disease are believed to be caused by an overactive immune system, this helps manage symptoms of these conditions.
See below for details on each use.
Tysabri is used to treat relapsing forms of MS. Examples include relapsing-remitting MS and active* secondary progressive MS. Tysabri is also used to treat clinically isolated syndrome, which is often an early sign of MS that occurs before an MS diagnosis.
MS is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune condition. With MS, your immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, which is a protective layer found around your nerve fibers. This makes it hard for your nervous system to function normally.
With MS, you may have periods of remission (no symptoms) and relapse (worsened symptoms).
It’s important to note that Tysabri should not be used with other immunosuppressants to treat MS. Examples of these drugs include azathioprine (Azasan), methotrexate (Trexall, others), and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).
Using Tysabri with immunosuppressants could increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) as a side effect. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section at the beginning of this article.
* “Active” means the condition is causing symptoms.
Tysabri is used to treat moderate to severe Crohn’s disease that hasn’t responded to other treatments, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers.
It’s important to note that Tysabri should not be used with other immunosuppressants to treat Crohn’s disease. It also should not be used with TNF blockers.
Examples of immunosuppressants include azathioprine (Azasan), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral), and methotrexate (Trexall, others)
Examples of TNF blockers include infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and golimumab (Simponi and Simponi Aria).
Using Tysabri with these medications could increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) as a side effect. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section at the beginning of this article.
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can affect any part of your digestive tract, but it most commonly affects the colon or small intestine.
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can include:
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can sometimes improve or worsen over time. If symptoms suddenly become worse, it’s known as a “flare-up” or “flare.”
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Tysabri that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but the dosage you receive will be determined by your doctor.
Tysabri comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time).
Tysabri comes in one strength: 300 milligrams (mg) per vial.
To treat multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease, Tysabri infusions are usually given once every 4 weeks. You’ll receive Tysabri doses at your doctor’s office or another healthcare facility.
Below are some common questions about Tysabri’s dosage.
Both Tysabri and Ocrevus are prescribed to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Ocrevus may also be used to treat progressive (worsening) forms of MS in adults, whereas Tysabri may be prescribed to treat moderate to severe Crohn’s disease in adults.
Both Tysabri and Ocrevus are given by intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). Tysabri and Ocrevus cause similar side effects, but they can cause some different ones as well.
To learn more about how these drugs are alike and different, see this detailed comparison. Your doctor can also tell you whether Tysabri or Ocrevus may be an option for you.
It’s important to talk with your doctor about your overall health before you begin treatment with Tysabri. There are important considerations that affect whether the drug is safe for you. These include your medical history and any medications you may take.
Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.
Before starting treatment with Tysabri, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Tysabri.
For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Other warnings” section below.
Tysabri can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:
This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Tysabri. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of Tysabri.
Tysabri has a boxed warning for the risk of PML. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.
PML is a rare but serious brain infection that’s been reported with Tysabri use. It often leads to disability, and it can even be fatal. There’s no known cure for PML.
To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section at the beginning of this article.
Tysabri may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Tysabri is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Tysabri. Factors to consider include those in the list below.
It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Tysabri treatment.
But alcohol and Tysabri can cause similar side effects, including headache, fatigue (low energy), and indigestion (upset stomach). Drinking alcohol during your Tysabri treatment may raise your risk of these side effects. It could also make these side effects more severe if you do experience them.
Further, drinking alcohol may worsen the symptoms of your condition. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to drink during your Tysabri treatment.
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Tysabri while pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Tysabri.
It’s also not known if it’s safe to receive Tysabri infusions while breastfeeding. Studies have shown that the drug passes into breast milk. But it’s not known what effects this could have on a breastfed child or how it could affect breastmilk production.
If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Tysabri.
Your doctor will tell you about Tysabri’s administration (how it will be given to you). They’ll also explain how much you’ll be given and how often.
Tysabri comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). You’ll receive Tysabri doses at your doctor’s office or another healthcare facility.
Below are some common questions about Tysabri’s administration.
You may have questions about Tysabri and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.
Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:
Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.
Tysabri is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) or Crohn’s disease in certain adults. If you’re considering treatment with Tysabri, talk with your doctor. Ask questions to help you feel comfortable with your treatment options. Some example questions to get you started include:
In addition, you can sign up for Healthline’s multiple sclerosis or inflammatory bowel disease newsletter to learn more about these conditions.
You can also find support and advice from the Bezzy multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease communities.
I learned that Tysabri can cause depression. If I already have depression, is it safe for me to use Tysabri?
Possibly. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of Tysabri treatment with you. They’ll determine whether it’s safe for you to use the drug.
Depression was one of the more common side effects reported in Tysabri’s studies. It wasn’t reported whether people who already had depression experienced worsening symptoms after treatment with Tysabri.
In rare cases, people who experienced depression in studies of Tysabri had suicidal thoughts or actions.
If you have depression, talk with your doctor before starting Tysabri treatment. They can discuss the benefits and risks of Tysabri treatment with you. If you do use Tysabri, your doctor will likely monitor your mental health closely during treatment. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions during your Tysabri treatment, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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