Can Tysabri Be Taken Along With Antiviral Medication?

Posted on Fri, 4 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 4 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I am an MS Patient using tysabri, lately I think I developed genital herpes which is getting treated, after treatment can I continue using tysabri?

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be continued.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Tysabri is a medication which does alter the immune response so its use can bring about a higher risk for viral infections such as herpes as well unfortunately. Also genital herpes is an infection which does have the tendency to recur, especially in the first year after the first episode.

However I would still not interrupt treatment considering the good efficacy of Tysabri, I would continue it. One possibility to be considered would be to opt for prolonged prophylactic treatment (say valancyclovir 1g daily for 6 months), which has been shown by some studies to reduce the recurrence rate of genital herpes.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (10 minutes later)

so if I'm treated I can continue with tysabri next week or should I wait 6 months for full course treatment?

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue tysabri

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I meant you can continue with tysabri next week as scheduled and in the meantime continue the antiviral (for longer than is usually done in people without tysabri), not so much as a treatment but as a preventive measure for recurrences of the infection.

I hope things will work out for the best.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar