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.