Zeposia®
ozanimod
Quick Facts
Zeposia® prevents lymphocytes from escaping lymph nodes and attacking nerves in the central nervous system.
Capsule taken orally
Once per day; dosage increased gradually to reduce risk of short-term bradycardia (slow heart rate)
Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary-progressive MS
Potential Benefit:
Zeposia® tested against active comparator (interferon beta-1a injectable):
- 48% fewer relapses
- 48% fewer T2 lesions
- 63% fewer T1 Gd-enhancing lesions
- 9 out of 10 people experienced no disability progression
- These results were equivalent to other leading injectables
Common Potential Side Effects
Upper respiratory infection, elevated liver enzymes, orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when shifting position), urinary tract infection, back pain, and high blood pressure.
Prescription Assistance:
For assistance finding additional resources that might help cover the costs of your prescription, contact MSAA.
Hear from the Expert
Léorah Freeman, MD, PhD
“It’s important for me to understand [patient] preferences, lifestyle, and how the disease modifying therapy that we choose together may fit into their lives.”
DRUGMAKER
Bristol Myers Squibb
HOW Zeposia® WORKS
Zeposia® (ozanimod) is a S1P receptor modulator, which works by blocking the S1P receptor on activated lymphocytes.This keeps these immune cells from moving out of the lymph nodes and into the central nervous system. By trapping the activated cells, it helps prevent damage to the brain and spinal cord.
FDA-Approved
FDA approved in 2020 to treat relapsing forms of MS, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary-progressive disease, in adults.
Potential Side Effects
Upper respiratory infection, elevated liver enzymes, orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when shifting position), urinary tract infection (UTI), back pain, and high blood pressure. Less common adverse events include an increased risk of infections, heart rhythm issues, liver injury, decline in pulmonary (respiratory) function, and macular edema (swelling behind the eye), and potentially increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability over a period of weeks or months.
OTHER KEY INFORMATION
Testing completed prior to starting Zeposia® includes:
- Your healthcare provider may order a blood test of your white blood cells and liver function before you start taking Zeposia
- Your healthcare provider may also order a blood test for the chickenpox virus before starting Zeposia
- An EKG will be performed to make sure you do not have a slow, abnormal or irregular heartbeat
- In some cases, an eye exam may be required
Regular testing completed after starting Zeposia® includes:
- Your doctor may order lab tests of your white blood cells and liver function during your treatment to check your body’s response to Zeposia
When starting Zeposia, please note there is a titration period (starting at a smaller dose and increasing over successive weeks).
Patient advocates talk about
their treatment experience
-
Kristie Salerno Kent
“I have had situations where treatments aren’t approved at first. My doctors, nurses, they actually go to bat for me and made it happen.” -
Azure Antoinette
"I will be undergoing my first disease-modifying therapy to help treat multiple sclerosis in my body and while I’m very nervous, I am equally as excited and looking forward to the positive effects of how I will feel physically, and mentally, and emotionally." -
Damian Washington
“Nobody’s going to be looking out for your best interests better than you.” -
Cathy Chester
“I think it’s really important to talk about how to age with this illness.” -
Lauren Hutton-Work
“Just because you have this disease does not mean that your work life should be awkward or uncomfortable.” -
Chernise Joseph
“My first neurologist was a frontline neurologist, he wasn’t an MS specialist.” -
Julian Gamboa
“If you’re newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis remember it’s always okay to get a second opinion.” -
Lauren and Sam Alcorn
“Our future is uncertain and we have to enjoy each other and love each other in the present.” -
Shawn Feliciano
“I want to know what medications might work best for someone who’s Hispanic.” -
Darlene Feigen
“The sooner you get on a therapy the better it is in the long run.” -
Birgit Bauer
“At the end of the appointment you should have an answer to the most important questions.” -
Ellen Tutton
“I looked up all the different disease-modifying therapies and compared them to my lifestyle.” -
Victoria Marie Reese
“I’m trying to show my daughter that taking care of yourself is cool.”
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