Tysabri Infusion Therapy

Tysabri is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:

• adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) to slow the worsening of symptoms and to decrease the number of relapses
• moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) who had an inadequate response to, or was unable to tolerate, conventional CD therapies and inhibitors of TNF

What Is Tysabri?  

Tysabri (natalizumab) is a prescription medication administered for patients in all IVX Health centers via IV infusion. 

How Tysabri Works  

Tysabri is thought to work by preventing harmful immune cells from crossing into the central nervous system, which may reduce damage and inflammation that relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) causes in the brain. 

What Is Tysabri Used For?  

Doctors order natalizumab to treat: 

• adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) to slow the worsening of symptoms and to decrease the number of relapses 
• moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) who had an inadequate response to, or was unable to tolerate, conventional CD therapies and inhibitors of TNF

Tysabri Infusion Dosage and Administration  

Patients receive natalizumab intravenously. Treatment time for a Tysabri infusion at a medical clinic like IVX Health usually lasts roughly 60 minutes. 

Dosage and Frequency  

 Typical Tysabri dosage is 300mL per infusion. 

Tysabri is typically administered once every 28 days. 

Administering Tysabri via IV Infusion 

1. The nurse prepares the patient’s arm by using rubbing alcohol to sterilize the location that is being used to insert the IV needle. 
2. Following needle insertion, the IV line is held in place with tape. 
3. The nurse attaches the patient’s IV line to the line coming down from the bag of medication. 

Every half-an-hour, the patient’s nurse takes his or her vitals.  

Tysabri Infusion Side Effects  

As with all medications, side effects are possible. 

Common side effects include: 

• Headache 
• Feeling tired 
• Urinary tract infection 
• Joint pain 
• Lung infection 
• Depression 
• Pain in the arms and legs 
• Diarrhea 
• Vaginitis 
• Rash 
• Nose and throat infections 
• Nausea 
• Stomach area pain 

Serious side effects include: 

• Herpes infections 
• Liver damage 
• Allergic reactions 
• Weakened immune system 
• Low platelet counts 
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) 

How To Prepare for a Tysabri Infusion  

It is essential that patients inform their physician if they: 

• Have a medical condition that can weaken the immune system 
• Are currently taking any medicines and/or supplements 

Before treatment, patients should get a good night’s sleep. In addition, they need to drink an adequate amount of fluid and eat a meal before their Tysabri IV infusion treatment at IVX Health. 

How to Get a Referral for Tysabri IV Infusions  

Every Tysabri referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment. 

• Patient information should include: 
• Name 
• Current address 
• Home and mobile phone number 
• Insurance information 

Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for Tysabri IV therapy: 

• Patient’s name and DOB 
• Order date 
• Diagnosis 
• Physician’s name and NPI# Office address, phone, and fax numbers 
• Provider’s signature 

Supporting clinical documentation from the physician should include: 

• Clinicals to support one or more of the following: 
• Patient has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) 
• Patient has moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) who had an inadequate response to, or was unable to tolerate, conventional CD therapies and inhibitors of TNF 
• JCV results 

If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Tysabri infusions treat, you may want to learn more about IV infusion treatments with natalizumab. To find an IVX Health infusion center near you, please click here. 

Patients chose IVX Health to receive their ongoing Tysabri treatments because:

• ALL private suites
• Comfortable recliners, with chairs for guests
• Evening & weekend appointments
• Friendly clinical staff deliver personal service
• Big screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, free snacks