Mayzent (siponimod) FDA-approved: Option for Secondary Progressive MS
Mayzent (siponimod) is a tablet medication to treat people with both relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and secondary-progressive patients with active disease such with new relapses or new MRI activity.
In the EXPAND trial, 1651 multiple sclerosis patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis were randomized to once-daily oral Mayzent 2 mg daily or placebo for up to 3 years (2/3 of patients received Mayzent). Patients on Mayzent had a 21% less risk of disability progression than those patients on placebo. Mayzent reduced relapses by 55% compared to placebo. Patients on Mayzent were more likely to be free of contrast-enhancing lesions (89% vs 67% on placebo) and free of new or enlarging T2 lesions (57% vs. 37% on placebo).
Medication risks include elevation of liver blood test, swelling back of eye (called macular edema), increase in blood pressure and potential serious infections.
BY: Barry Singer, MD DATE: March 26, 2019 TOPIC: MS Research News