FDA Approves Multiple Sclerosis Rx

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

That new treatment is Zinbryta (daclizumab), and it has been approved to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis who have not had an adequate response to two or more multiple sclerosis medications.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis is tied to nerve damage, which affects how the brain communicates with the rest of the body.

Biogen's Zinbryta received approval after appearing effective in two clinical trials. In one trial, Zinbryta was compared to Avonex (interferon beta-1a), a medication already approved to treat multiple sclerosis.

Zinbryta is available as a long-acting injection and is self-administered under the skin (subcutaneously) each month.

This medication carries a boxed warning regarding liver injury and the potential for certain immune conditions.

Common side effects seen in clinical trials included cold symptoms, upper respiratory tract infections and rashes.