Tysabri Side Effects
Generic Name: natalizumab
Please note - some side effects for Tysabri may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.
Side Effects of Tysabri - for the Consumer
Tysabri
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Tysabri:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Tysabri:Diarrhea; headache; indigestion; joint pain; mild stomach discomfort; muscle cramps; pain in the arms or legs; tiredness.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; changes in balance, eyesight, memory, strength, or thinking; chest pain or discomfort; clumsiness; confusion; depression; dizziness; fainting; fast heartbeat; feeling cold; fever, chills, cough, or persistent sore throat; flushing; muscle pain; nausea; painful menstrual periods; painful urination or changes in the amount of urine; personality changes; severe or persistent headache or tiredness; severe or persistent stomach or back pain; shortness of breath or wheezing; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or legs; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; right-sided stomach pain; unusual loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes); tremor; vaginal discharge, itching, or odor.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
TopTysabri Side Effects - for the Professional
Tysabri
Clinical Trials Experience
The most serious adverse reactions were [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]:
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)
- Hypersensitivity
- Immunosuppression/Infections
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 10%) were headache and fatigue in both the multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease (CD) studies. Other common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 10%) in the MS population were arthralgia, urinary tract infection, lower respiratory tract infection, gastroenteritis, vaginitis, depression, pain in extremity, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea NOS, and rash. Other common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 10%) in the CD population were upper respiratory tract infections and nausea.
The most frequently reported adverse reactions resulting in clinical intervention (i.e., discontinuation of Tysabri), in the MS studies were urticaria (1%) and other hypersensitivity reactions (1%), and in the CD studies (Studies CD1 and CD2) were the exacerbation of Crohn's disease (4.2%) and acute hypersensitivity reactions (1.5%) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
A total of 1617 multiple sclerosis patients in controlled studies received Tysabri, with a median duration of exposure of 28 months. A total of 1563 patients received Tysabri in all CD studies for a median exposure of 5 months; of these patients, 33% (n=518) received at least one year of treatment and 19% (n=297) received at least two years of treatment.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying and controlled conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of Tysabri cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of other drugs and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reaction information does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that appear to be related to drug use and a basis for approximating rates.
Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Studies
The most frequently reported serious adverse reactions in Study MS1 [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] with Tysabri were infections (3.2% versus 2.6% in placebo, including urinary tract infection [0.8% versus 0.3%] and pneumonia [0.6% versus 0%]), acute hypersensitivity reactions (1.1% versus 0.3%, including anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reaction [0.8% versus 0%]), depression (1.0% versus 1.0%, including suicidal ideation or attempt [0.6% versus 0.3%]), and cholelithiasis (1.0% versus 0.3%). In Study MS2, serious adverse reactions of appendicitis were also more common in patients who received Tysabri (0.8% versus 0.2% in placebo) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4), Adverse Reactions - Infections].
Table 1 enumerates adverse reactions and selected laboratory abnormalities that occurred in Study MS1 at an incidence of at least 1 percentage point higher in Tysabri-treated patients than was observed in placebo-treated patients.
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*Percentage based on female patients only. |
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**Acute versus other hypersensitivity reactions are defined as occurring within 2 hours post-infusion versus more than 2 hours. |
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| Adverse Reactions (Preferred Term) |
Tysabri n=627 Percentage |
Placebo n=312 Percentage |
| General |
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| Headache | 38% | 33% |
| Fatigue | 27% | 21% |
| Arthralgia | 19% | 14% |
| Chest discomfort | 5% | 3% |
| Acute hypersensitivity reactions** | 4% | <1% |
| Other hypersensitivity reactions** | 5% | 2% |
| Seasonal allergy | 3% | 2% |
| Rigors | 3% | <1% |
| Weight increased | 2% | <1% |
| Weight decreased | 2% | <1% |
| Infection | ||
| Urinary tract infection | 21% | 17% |
| Lower respiratory tract infection | 17% | 16% |
| Gastroenteritis | 11% | 9% |
| Vaginitis* | 10% | 6% |
| Tooth infections | 9% | 7% |
| Herpes | 8% | 7% |
| Tonsillitis | 7% | 5% |
| Psychiatric | ||
| Depression | 19% | 16% |
| Musculoskeletal/Connective Tissue Disorders | ||
| Pain in extremity | 16% | 14% |
| Muscle cramp | 5% | 3% |
| Joint swelling | 2% | 1% |
| Gastrointestinal | ||
| Abdominal discomfort | 11% | 10% |
| Diarrhea NOS | 10% | 9% |
| Abnormal liver function test | 5% | 4% |
| Skin | ||
| Rash | 12% | 9% |
| Dermatitis | 7% | 4% |
| Pruritus | 4% | 2% |
| Night sweats | 1% | 0% |
| Menstrual Disorders* | ||
| Irregular menstruation | 5% | 4% |
| Dysmenorrhea | 3% | <1% |
| Amenorrhea | 2% | 1% |
| Ovarian cyst | 2% | <1% |
| Neurologic Disorders | ||
| Somnolence | 2% | <1% |
| Vertigo | 6% | 5% |
| Renal and Urinary Disorders | ||
| Urinary incontinence | 4% | 3% |
| Urinary urgency/frequency | 9% | 7% |
| Injury | ||
| Limb injury NOS | 3% | 2% |
| Skin laceration | 2% | <1% |
| Thermal burn | 1% | <1% |
In Study MS2, peripheral edema was more common in patients who received Tysabri (5% versus 1% in placebo).
Crohn's Disease Clinical Studies
The following serious adverse events in the induction Studies CD1 and CD2 [see Clinical Studies (14.2)] were reported more commonly with Tysabri than placebo and occurred at an incidence of at least 0.3%: intestinal obstruction or stenosis (2% vs. 1% in placebo), acute hypersensitivity reactions (0.5% vs. 0%), abdominal adhesions (0.3% vs. 0%), and cholelithiasis (0.3% vs. 0%). Similar serious adverse events were seen in the maintenance Study CD3. Table 2 enumerates adverse drug reactions that occurred in Studies CD1 and CD2 (median exposure of 2.8 months). Table 3 enumerates adverse drug reactions that occurred in Study CD3 (median exposure of 11.0 months).
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*Occurred at an incidence of at least 1% higher in Tysabri-treated patients than placebo-treated patients. |
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**Percentage based on female patients only. |
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| Adverse Reactions* |
Tysabri n=983 Percentage |
Placebo n=431 Percentage |
| General | ||
| Headache | 32% | 23% |
| Fatigue | 10% | 8% |
| Arthralgia | 8% | 6% |
| Influenza-like illness | 5% | 4% |
| Acute hypersensitivity reactions |
2% | <1% |
| Tremor | 1% | <1% |
| Infection | ||
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 22% | 16% |
| Vaginal infections** | 4% | 2% |
| Viral infection | 3% | 2% |
| Urinary tract infection | 3% | 1% |
| Respiratory | ||
| Pharyngolaryngeal pain | 6% | 4% |
| Cough | 3% | <1% |
| Gastrointestinal | ||
| Nausea | 17% | 15% |
| Dyspepsia | 5% | 3% |
| Constipation | 4% | 2% |
| Flatulence | 3% | 2% |
| Aphthous stomatitis | 2% | <1% |
| Skin | ||
| Rash | 6% | 4% |
| Dry skin | 1% | 0% |
| Menstrual Disorder | ||
| Dysmenorrhea** | 2% | <1% |
|
*Occurred at an incidence of at least 2% higher in Tysabri-treated patients than placebo-treated patients. |
||
|
**Percentage based on female patients only. |
||
| Adverse Reactions* |
Tysabri n=214 Percentage |
Placebo n=214 Percentage |
| General | ||
| Headache | 37% | 31% |
| Influenza-like illness | 11% | 6% |
| Toothache | 4% | <1% |
| Peripheral edema | 6% | 3% |
| Infection | ||
| Influenza | 12% | 5% |
| Sinusitis | 8% | 4% |
| Viral infection | 7% | 3% |
| Vaginal infections** | 8% | <1% |
| Respiratory | ||
| Cough | 7% | 5% |
| Gastrointestinal | ||
| Lower abdominal pain | 4% | 2% |
| Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue | ||
| Back pain | 12% | 8% |
| Menstrual Disorder | ||
| Dysmenorrhea** | 6% | 3% |
Infections
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) occurred in three patients who received Tysabri in clinical trials [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Two cases of PML were observed in the 1869 patients with multiple sclerosis who were treated for a median of 120 weeks. These two patients had received Tysabri in addition to interferon beta-1a [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. The third case occurred after eight doses in one of the 1043 patients with Crohn's disease who were evaluated for PML. In the postmarketing setting, additional cases of PML have been reported in Tysabri-treated multiple sclerosis patients who were not receiving concomitant immunomodulatory therapy.
In Studies MS1 and MS2 [see Clinical Studies (14.1)], the rate of any type of infection was approximately 1.5 per patient-year in both Tysabri-treated patients and placebo-treated patients. The infections were predominately upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, and urinary tract infections. In Study MS1, the incidence of serious infection was approximately 3% in Tysabri-treated patients and placebo-treated patients. Most patients did not interrupt treatment with Tysabri during infections. The only opportunistic infection in the multiple sclerosis clinical trials was a case of cryptosporidial gastroenteritis with a prolonged course.
In Studies CD1 and CD2 [see Clinical Studies (14.2)], the rate of any type of infection was 1.7 per patient-year in Tysabri-treated patients and 1.4 per patient-year in placebo-treated patients. In Study CD3, the incidence of any type of infection was 1.7 per patient-year in Tysabri-treated patients and was similar in placebo-treated patients. The most common infections were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and influenza. The majority of patients did not interrupt Tysabri therapy during infections and recovery occurred with appropriate treatment. Concurrent use of Tysabri in CD clinical trials with chronic steroids and/or methotrexate, 6-MP, and azathioprine did not result in an increase in overall infections compared to Tysabri alone; however, the concomitant use of such agents could lead to an increased risk of serious infections.
In Studies CD1 and CD2, the incidence of serious infection was approximately 2.1% in both Tysabri-treated patients and placebo-treated patients. In Study CD3, the incidence of serious infection was approximately 3.3% in Tysabri-treated patients and approximately 2.8% in placebo-treated patients.
In clinical studies for CD, opportunistic infections (pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, pulmonary mycobacterium avium intracellulare, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and burkholderia cepacia) have been observed in <1% of Tysabri-treated patients; some of these patients were receiving concurrent immunosuppressants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. Two serious non-bacterial meningitides occurred in Tysabri-treated patients compared to none in placebo-treated patients.
Infusion-related Reactions
An infusion-related reaction was defined in clinical trials as any adverse event occurring within two hours of the start of an infusion. In MS clinical trials, approximately 24% of Tysabri-treated multiple sclerosis patients experienced an infusion-related reaction, compared to 18% of placebo-treated patients. In the controlled CD clinical trials, infusion-related reactions occurred in approximately 11% of patients treated with Tysabri compared to 7% of placebo-treated patients. Reactions more common in the Tysabri-treated MS patients compared to the placebo-treated MS patients included headache, dizziness, fatigue, urticaria, pruritus, and rigors. Acute urticaria was observed in approximately 2% of patients. Other hypersensitivity reactions were observed in 1% of patients receiving Tysabri. Serious systemic hypersensitivity infusion reactions occurred in <1% of patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. All patients recovered with treatment and/or discontinuation of the infusion.
Infusion-related reactions more common in CD patients receiving Tysabri than those receiving placebo included headache, nausea, urticaria, pruritus, and flushing. Serious infusion reactions occurred in Studies CD1, CD2, and CD3 at an incidence of <1% in Tysabri-treated patients.
MS and CD patients who became persistently positive for antibodies to Tysabri were more likely to have an infusion-related reaction than those who were antibody-negative.
Immunogenicity
Patients in Study MS1 [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] were tested for antibodies to natalizumab every 12 weeks. The assays used were unable to detect low to moderate levels of antibodies to natalizumab. Approximately 9% of patients receiving Tysabri developed detectable antibodies at least once during treatment. Approximately 6% of patients had positive antibodies on more than one occasion. Approximately 82% of patients who became persistently antibody-positive developed detectable antibodies by 12 weeks. Anti-natalizumab antibodies were neutralizing in vitro.
The presence of anti-natalizumab antibodies was correlated with a reduction in serum natalizumab levels. In Study MS1, the Week 12 pre-infusion mean natalizumab serum concentration in antibody-negative patients was 15 mcg/mL compared to 1.3 mcg/mL in antibody-positive patients. Persistent antibody-positivity resulted in a substantial decrease in the effectiveness of Tysabri. The risk of increased disability and the annualized relapse rate were similar in persistently antibody-positive Tysabri-treated patients and patients who received placebo. A similar phenomenon was also observed in Study MS2.
Infusion-related reactions most often associated with persistent antibody-positivity included urticaria, rigors, nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing, dizziness, pruritus, tremor, feeling cold, and pyrexia. Additional adverse reactions more common in persistently antibody-positive patients included myalgia, hypertension, dyspnea, anxiety, and tachycardia.
Patients in CD studies [see Clinical Studies (14.2)] were first tested for antibodies at Week 12, and in a substantial proportion of patients, this was the only test performed given the 12-week duration of placebo-controlled studies. Approximately 10% of patients were found to have anti-natalizumab antibodies on at least one occasion. Five percent (5%) of patients had positive antibodies on more than one occasion. Persistent antibodies resulted in reduced efficacy and an increase in infusion-related reactions with symptoms that include urticaria, pruritus, nausea, flushing, and dyspnea.
The long-term immunogenicity of Tysabri and the effects of low to moderate levels of antibody to natalizumab are unknown [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Immunogenicity data are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody-positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to Tysabri with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Tysabri. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
In post-marketing experience, one MS patient who received Tysabri developed herpes encephalitis and died; a second MS patient developed herpes meningitis and recovered with appropriate treatment.
PML has been reported in postmarketing experience in patients treated with Tysabri monotherapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
TopSide Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals
Nervous system
One patient, a 46-year-old female, developed PML after she received 37 doses of natalizumab over 33 months. The other patient received 28 doses of natalizumab before developing PML and remains severely disabled.
In postmarketing experience, one MS patient who received natalizumab developed herpes encephalitis and died; a second MS patient developed herpes meningitis and recovered with appropriate treatment.
Nervous system side effects have included headache (up to 38%), dizziness (10% or greater), vertigo (6%), tremors (up to 3%), somnolence (2%), and syncope (2%). At least three cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) have been reported. Herpes infections of the central nervous system have been reported during postmarketing experience and have included herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis, HSV meningitis, and herpes zoster virus meningitis. PML has also been reported during postmarketing experience.
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects have included opportunistic infections. These have included pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, pulmonary mycobacterium avium intracellulare, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and Burkholderia cepacia. Upper respiratory tract infection (22%), lower respiratory tract infection (up to 17%), influenza (12%), influenza-like illness (up to 11%), nasopharyngitis (10% or greater), sinusitis (7%), cough (up to 7%), and pharyngolaryngeal pain (6%) have been reported. At least one patient who had been administered natalizumab (3 mg per kg) experienced bronchospasm that rapidly responded to antihistamines and corticosteroids.
Psychiatric
Psychiatric side effects have included depression (19%), including suicidal ideation or attempt.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea (17%), gastroenteritis (11%), abdominal discomfort (11%), diarrhea (10%), tooth infections (9%), dyspepsia (5%), constipation (4%), toothache (4%), lower abdominal pain (4%), flatulence (3%), aphthous stomatitis (2%), intestinal obstruction or stenosis (2%), cholelithiasis (1%), and abdominal adhesions (0.3%). At least one case of cryptosporidial gastroenteritis has been reported with prolonged use.
Immunologic
Immunologic side effects have included immunosuppression/infections, including pneumonias and urinary tract infections (including serious cases), gastroenteritis, vaginal infections, tooth infections, tonsillitis, and herpes infections. Herpes (8%), tonsillitis (7%), and viral infection (up to 7%) have been reported. Antibodies to natalizumab were detected in approximately 9% of patients at least once during treatment with persistent antibody-positivity in 6% of patients.
Development of antibodies to natalizumab occurred by week 12 in most of the patients (82%) who became persistently antibody-positive. The presence of anti-natalizumab antibodies was correlated with a reduction in serum natalizumab levels. Persistent antibody-positivity to natalizumab was associated with a substantial decrease in the effectiveness of the drug.
Other
Other side effects have included fatigue (up to 27%), peripheral edema (up to 6%), chest discomfort (up to 5%), rigors (3%), limb injury (3%), skin laceration (2%), and thermal burn (1%). At least one case of shakiness has also been reported.
Local
Local side effects have included infusion related reactions including headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, urticaria, pruritus, flushing, and rigors in up to 24% of patients. Infusion related anaphylactic reactions have been reported in less than 1% of patients.
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects have included urinary tract infection (up to 21%), vaginitis (up to 10%), urinary urgency/frequency (9%), vaginal infections (up to 8%), dysmenorrhea (up to 6%), irregular menstruation (5%), urinary incontinence (4%), amenorrhea (2%), and ovarian cyst (2%).
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgia (up to 19%), pain in extremity (16%), back pain (12%), muscle cramp (5%), and joint swelling (2%).
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects have included rash (up to 12%), dermatitis (up to 7%), pruritus (4%), perianal abscess (2% or greater), urticaria (1%), dry skin (1%), and night sweats (1%). At least of case of serum sickness-like illness has also been reported.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity side effects have included allergic reaction (7%), acute hypersensitivity (up to 4%), seasonal allergy (3%), and anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reactions. An infusion-related reaction has been reported to occur within 2 hours of the start of an infusion. At least 2 cases of allergic dermatitis have also been reported.
Patients experiencing hypersensitivity reactions recovered with treatment and/or discontinuation of the infusion. Patients who developed antibodies to natalizumab were more likely to have an infusion-related reaction.
Hepatic
Hepatic side effects have included abnormal liver function tests (5%).
Metabolic
Metabolic side effects have included weight decreased and increased in 2% of patients.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular side effects have included pericarditis.
Ocular
Ocular side effects have included at least one case of ocular toxoplasmosis reactivation.
TopMore Tysabri resources
- Tysabri Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Tysabri Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Tysabri Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Tysabri Consumer Overview
- Tysabri MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Natalizumab Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
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