Mayzent®, manufactured by Novartis AG, is an approved oral medication indicated for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Its approvals include the treatment of clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease in adults. It comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth.1,2
What are the ingredients in Mayzent?
The active ingredient in Mayzent is siponimod.2
How does Mayzent work?
Mayzent is a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator. It is thought that Mayzent works by reducing lymphocyte migration into the central nervous system (CNS). Siponimod binds to S1P receptors 1 and 5 and blocks the ability of lymphocytes to leave the lymph nodes, lowering the number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood. This produces the anti-inflammatory and re-myelination effects of Mayzent. Lymphocyte counts generally return to the normal range in 90 percent of patients within a few weeks after stopping treatment.1
What are possible side effects of Mayzent?
Many clinical trials evaluated the safety and efficacy of Mayzent. The most common side effects experienced by those taking Mayzent include:2
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Increase in liver function test values
These are not all the possible side effects of Mayzent. Talk to your doctor about what to expect when taking Mayzent. You also should call your doctor if you have any changes that concern you when taking Mayzent.
Other things to know about Mayzent
Mayzent treatment requires titration. Patients begin with a starting dose and then increase on a predetermined schedule until they reach a prescribed maintenance level dose of medication.
Mayzent may cause macular edema, put you at increased risk for infections, and/or cause a decrease in heart rate.
Before starting Mayzent, your doctor should assess the appropriateness of the treatment and consider any other conditions you may have. This includes genotype determination, a complete blood count, liver function tests, identification of any active infections, an eye exam, a skin exam, and cardiac evaluation.1
Be sure to discuss with your doctor if you:1,2
- Have experienced a heart attack, unstable angina, or Class III/IV heart failure in the 6 months prior to initiating treatment
- Have had a stroke or TIA in the 6 months prior to initiating treatment
- Have Mobitz type II second-degree or third-degree atrioventricular block, or sick sinus syndrome, unless you have a functioning pacemaker
- Have an active infection
- Are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, as Mayzent may cause fetal harm. Contraception should be used during and until 10 days after the last dose.
- Have a history of hypersensitivity to siponimod
- Take certain medications including anti-neoplastic, immunosuppressive, or immunomodulatory drugs, because use of Mayzent at the same time can have unintended effects.
People with the above conditions should be monitored closely while taking Mayzent. It is not recommended for use in patients with a CYP2C9*3/*3 genotype.1
The presence of varicella zoster antibodies should be tested before starting Mayzent. If not present, the varicella zoster (VZV) vaccine should be given prior to treatment. Live attenuated vaccines should be avoided while taking Mayzent and for 4 additional weeks after stopping treatment.1
Before beginning treatment for MS, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. This includes over-the-counter drugs.
For more information, read the full prescribing information of Mayzent.