Aubagio usage

[SandraFH]

I am needing to switch my MS medication. I have been taking Avonex but it isn't doing the job. I am thinking about switching to Aubagio. Just wondering what others on it think of it. Thank you for any help.

[tnolan2006]

It's kind of medium efficacy. If you're still getting brain damage on interferon, you might want to consider a higher efficacy drug:

Tysabri - plus - fast acting, tolerable. minus - PML risk, monthly infusions, rebound disease risk after stopping.

Ocrevus or Rituxan - plus - fairly tolerable, 6-12 months between infusions. minus - infusion reactions, doesn't get into brain to kill B-cells, Rituxan is off-label for MS.

Lemtrada - plus - resets immune system (induction), 1 year course of treatment. minus - infusion reactions, monthly blood monitoring, high (40-50%) risk of secondary autoimmunity.

HSCT - plus - resets immune system (induction), single course of treatment, gets into brain. - minus - chance of death is maybe 1%, high infertility rates, need to reimmunize, costs tens of thousands, need to travel and stay for weeks at clinic.

Mavenclad (cladribine) - plus - resets immune system (induction), 1 year course of treatment (10 to 20 days of dosing, total), drug stays in your body for only 24h after each dose - good for starting family, very tolerable, gets into brain, no infusion reactions, minimal blood monitoring, no risk of secondary autoimmunity, injectable version is very inexpensive (it was about $5000 for full course for me). minus - oral version not yet available in US, injectable version is off-label for MS.

All of these high efficacy drugs have varying degrees of infection risks due to suppressing your immune system. They are not cures. With the induction drugs, most of the risk is upfront, while the maintenance drugs' risks become greater with time.

I really like cladribine, but there are plusses and minuses for all of these. This MS doc has put out a bunch of videos on MS including drug treatment: youtube.com/watch?v=3EdsFDI...(Not working as expected?)

[scooterjon58]

I never did Aubagio. I went from Avonex to Ampyra to Copaxone. None of them worked! I'm now PPMS. Sometimes I'm not sure what doctors know! Goood luck! Read my story at scooterjon58.com

[Iona60]

I would compare all of the DMTs and find the one that is most effective with the least side effects, that you can tolerate.

[Kenu]

I have been on Aubagio for fifteen months and no side effects and last two MRI’s were stable 👍. Everyone is different but this is working for me 🙏. 😉🐾 Ken

[Diva1976]

It kept me stable on paper in terms of MRI. A little shedding of hair. My body physically was steady declining. Everyone body responds different.

[kymrob91457]

You know the song Tequila makes her cloths fall off? Well Aubagio made my hair fall out!! Not just a little, but a lot. That happened to me, it may not happen to you or anyone else. Good luck to you!

[Gnugirl]

I have been on Aubagio for a little over 2 yrs. When I started it I was having extreme trouble walking and standing for more than 15 mins. I had been forced(due to symptoms) to quit working. Aubagio has greatly helped give walking and standing back to me! I no longer use a cane and my severe symptoms decreased. I was very happy to be able to take a pill as opposed to an injection. The only side effect I have had to deal with was minor hair loss and thinning. I take Biotin daily and use a Biotin shampoo and it has greatly improved. I am pleased with this treatment and pray it continues to help.