Fingolimod Hydrochloride and Metvixia

• Generic Name: fingolimod
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Gilenya

Treatment of relapsing forms of MS (e.g., relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS]).

Fingolimod is one of several disease-modifying therapies used in the management of RRMS. Although not curative, these therapies have all been shown to modify several measures of disease activity, including relapse rates, new or enhancing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions, and disability progression.

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recommends that disease-modifying therapy be offered to patients with RRMS who have had recent relapses and/or MRI activity. Clinicians should consider adverse effects, tolerability, method of administration, safety, efficacy, and cost of the drugs in addition to patient preferences when selecting an appropriate therapy.

Additional studies needed to determine optimal role and safety profile of fingolimod, particularly during long-term use and in comparison with other disease-modifying therapies (e.g., glatiramer acetate, interferon beta, natalizumab).

May be useful in patients who prefer to avoid parenteral administration and/or those who have had an inadequate response to other disease-modifying therapies (e.g., dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, interferon beta, teriflunomide).

Has been evaluated, but currently not FDA-labeled for treatment of primary-progressive MS.

Designated an orphan drug by FDA for treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

• Generic Name: methyl aminolevulinate topical
• Dosage Forms: cream
• Other Brand Names: Metvixia

Metvixia cream (methyl aminolevulinate) makes your skin more sensitive to light. It works by causing a reaction with light that can destroy certain types of diseased skin cells.

Metvixia cream is used in combination with red light therapy to treat to treat skin growths on the face and scalp called actinic keratosis of the face and scalp.

Metvixia cream is only used for actinic keratosis skin growths that are thin and not dark colored. Actinic keratosis skin growths are not cancer and are caused partly by too much sun exposure.