Multiple Sclerosis Definition, Symptoms & Side Effects: Patients Taking Gilenya May Get Brain Infection

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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines multiple sclerosis as a condition that involves the central nervous system distinguished by myelin sheath destruction around the neurons, which often results to plaque formation. It is a progressive and fluctuating disorder with the patients experiencing alternate feelings of good and bad for decades, leading to disability or death.

The cause of this condition has not yet been discovered by science but most suspect that multiple sclerosis occurs due to a genetic disorder and can be triggered by environmental factors. Symptoms may include neurologic conditions, metabolic problems and leukodystrophies. Furthermore, reports have identified that Gilenya, a drug made by Novartis for treating this disease, can cause serious brain infections to patients.

Reuters writes that the US Food and Drug Administration is currently updating the information of Gilenya after an incidence of definitive progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Another case of possible PML have been identified and directly linked with the intake of Novartis's multiple sclerosis drug. Incidentally, other brands like Biogen's Tecfidera and Tysabri, have also shown cases of brain infections when used continuously for a long period of time.

Multiple Sclerosis News Today adds that although the virus, known as the John Cunningham virus, that causes PML is relatively common and most of time harmless, patients suffering from disease that can compromise their immune systems are highly susceptible to serious side effects as they can't block the infection.

Experts warn patients to ask medical help in case they start experiencing worsening weakness, elevated difficulty in using the arms or legs, and changes in eyesight, strength, balance or cognitive ability. PML is known to progress over time and can lead to multiple brain damage.

However, the FDA informs patients to continue using Gilenya unless otherwise advised by a healthcare provider, of which the physician should immediately terminate the use of the drug once PML has been suspected, HCP Live reports.

Gilenya has been found safe for use in 2010 to aid in disability progression of multiple sclerosis and to lessen the relapses among patients. In 2013, the FDA has started investigating the drug after reports of PML occurrence in a patient however, they did not find any direct relationship between the drug and PML at that time because the patient is using several drugs as well.