Cladribine (Mylinax) – Oral Medication for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Hello Anon... Thank you for sharing about your personal experience in the trial for FTY720. I've been following the progress on several of the new oral medications for MS so it's really good to hear from someone who is actually involved with the trial and to know that they are having a positive experience.

Please check back with us from time to time and let us know how you are doing and if you still have the same thoughts on the drug. I know one of the big concerns (as with any new medication) has been not only whether or not it works but whether or not it's safe. It's nice to hear feedback that supports the marketing reports. :-)

Thank you anonymous for sharing your progress, please visit us again to keep us and our readers updated!

I am one of the "Test Pilots" for Novartis and the FTY720 I am in phase II and doing well I have only small relapses in that time and no new plaque in my MRI's I am closely monitored with my labs and I LOVE hot shooting up everyday just pop a pill I sincerely hope that it is approved by the FDA!

Hi Anon... You make a good point. All medications (including the current drugs available) have some type of side effects - some serious and some mild. To me the real question is does the benefit outweigh the potential risks or side effects? I think that time will be the answer to that question.

There are several new pill formats on the horizon other than oral Cladribine. Hopefully, one of them will be the "home run" - that is, effective, safe and with few or limited side effects which are mild to nil. If not, then at least the basis of the research will still be there and perhaps the next round will produce good results for all of us.

Although this sounds good and I too want to be injection free, I feel the possible side effects could be a deal breaker. From what I understand the possiblity of infection or cancer is higher and that is scary.

Folks.... Please don't misunderstand me. I am NOT advocating that everyone run down and switch from your current MS protocol to Cladribine or the Novartis AG oral medication. As with any treatment option, this is a decision that is between YOU and your doctor. However, this is the first time that any of us will have a real OPTION in the type of treatment we receive. Having an option is significant. If safe and effective, it will also be a significant breakthrough.

Frankly, I think it's long overdue that we have options in our treatment. I'm glad to see research moving in a direction to try to provide less invasive forms of treatments. It means that they are working!!
I am excited to see the direction the research is taking, not only in this but some of the vaccines, etc. It's also the first time in 10 years that my doctor has indicated that this is one we need to watch because in his opinion, it will be as effective as what I'm on now. As indicated above, if it also turns out to not only be as effective, but also as safe as the current therapy, then it is a viable treatment option.

I think that the statistics were that only 36% of the MS patients in the US receive treatment. Many people simply cannot stomach taking the shots. Maybe an alternative treatment will help those people.
I personally know someone who stopped their shots two weeks ago because they simply could not handle taking one more shot and living with the horrific side effects that their "treatment" gave them. I have a girlfriend who stopped taking shots 3 years ago after 10 years on the shots. My aunt has been in a wheelchair from MS for over 40 years now. She's quit taking treatment and is no longer waiting for the cure. It won't come in her lifetime.

For those of us living with MS, we all know the potential consequences of discontinuing treatment. Yet, I can't blame/condemn those who have stopped. The treatment is not easy either physically or mentally, especially when it drags on for years. Perhaps either the Cladribine or the Novatris oral medication will provide an answer for many.

Again, as with any treatment, it is a decision between YOU and your doctor. Only you can decide what is right for you.

Hi Mary,

I understand your excitement. I was diagnosed just under a year ago, and I am doing fantastically well on my Betaferon injections every second day. I was thrilled to hear of this oral drug on the way, but after thinking about it for a while, I have decided that I may not jump in and take this option once it becomes available. Yes, I hate the injections, yes they hurt, but yes they make me better. I don't want to mess with that now for the sake of a new drug. I think I will just wait around for the cure :)

FYI - Oral Meds may not be as easy or simplistic as you deem them to be.. It's not Just popping a pill. The patient will need to be regulated with Patient - physician updates and much protocol needs to be met. The oral meds have more adverse side effects that doing the injection. Cladribine is not a safe drug to begin with. If it was, don't ya think it would be used more than what is being used now (it's presently used now- intraveneously). *

And for all doing an injectable, who are responding well with it, should not be attempting a switch. Like the ol' saying : "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".*

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