LEMTRADA is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Since treatment with LEMTRADA can increase your risk of getting certain conditions and diseases, LEMTRADA is generally prescribed for people who have tried 2 or more MS medicines that have not worked well enough. LEMTRADA is not recommended for use in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). It is not known if LEMTRADA is safe and effective for use in children under 17 years of age.

LEMTRADA is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Since treatment with LEMTRADA can increase your risk of getting certain conditions and diseases, LEMTRADA is generally prescribed for people who have tried 2 or more MS medicines that have not worked well enough. LEMTRADA is not recommended for use in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). It is not known if LEMTRADA is safe and effective for use in children under 17 years of age.

Actual Patient

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out what you should know about LEMTRADA treatment for relapsing MS

Click the questions to reveal the answers.

ADMINISTRATION AND MONITORING

It takes approximately 4 hours to receive 1 dose of LEMTRADA, during which you will be monitored closely for infusion reactions. Upon completion of your infusion, you will begin a period of post-infusion observation for a minimum of 2 additional hours.

Keeping this in mind, you should expect to be at the infusion center for 8 hours or more per day. This timing is an estimation, and your experience may vary.

Read more about LEMTRADA infusions.

It is recommended that you bring a sweatshirt or a blanket and wear comfortable clothes.
You should pack something to entertain yourself during your treatment.

  • Be sure to call the infusion center to be certain what food, drinks, and entertainment are permitted and ask questions like whether water will be available for refillable bottles.

Find out what is recommended to bring on LEMTRADA infusion days.

Your lab monitoring options

LAB

Testing at any LabCorp® or Quest Diagnostics patient service centers.

HEALTHCARE PROVIDER’S OFFICE

Samples can be taken at your healthcare provider’s office. With this option, you may incur a co-pay for your doctor’s visit. However, the cost of analyzing the samples will be covered by the LEMTRADA Central Lab Program.

Sanofi reserves the right at any time and without notice to modify or change eligibility criteria or discontinue this program.

Trademarks not owned by Genzyme Corporation or Sanofi are the property of their respective owners.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS

LEMTRADA can cause serious infusion reactions that may cause death. Because of this you will need to receive your infusions at a healthcare facility with equipment and staff trained to manage infusion reactions.

Serious infusion reactions may happen while you receive, or up to 24 hours or longer after you receive, LEMTRADA. Before, during, or after your infusion begins, you will be given certain medications to help reduce the chance of having a serious infusion reaction or to treat them if they happen.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious infusion reaction during the infusion, and after you have left the healthcare facility:

  • swelling in your mouth or throat
  • trouble breathing
  • weakness
  • fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
  • chest pain
  • rash

Read about LEMTRADA safety and side effects.

  • Your healthcare provider will give you a medicine called corticosteroids before your first 3 infusions of a treatment course to lower your chances of getting a serious infusion reaction.
  • You may also be given other medicines before or after the infusion to try to reduce your chances of having these reactions or to treat them if they happen. If something feels out of the ordinary, contact your healthcare provider right away.
  • You will also be given an antiviral medicine with treatment and will continue taking it under your healthcare provider's guidance.
  • Infusion reactions can occur despite pretreatment.
Learn more about premedications for LEMTRADA infusions.

People who receive LEMTRADA have an increased chance of getting an infection caused by the bacteria listeria, which can lead to significant complications or death. If you receive treatment with LEMTRADA, avoid foods that may be a source of listeria (for example, deli meat, unpasteurized milk and cheese products, soft cheeses, or undercooked meat, seafood, or poultry) or make sure that the food you eat that may contain listeria is heated well.

Read these food safety tips to help lower the risk of listeria infection.

Before receiving LEMTRADA, tell your healthcare team if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as LEMTRADA can harm your unborn baby.

  • Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy during a treatment round.
  • Continue to use birth control for at least 4 months after a treatment round.

PATIENT AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT

An MS One to One® Case Manager is available to provide support if you’re feeling nervous or have questions before, during, and after treatment.

Find out about personal support for LEMTRADA patients.

*As a member of MS One to One, you’ll have access to an on-duty Case Manager. Regular
MS One to One call center hours are Monday—Friday, 8:00 am—8:00 pm ET.

There are many different types of relapsing MS care partners—from spouses to parents to friends. One thing they all have in common is that they make a real difference in the lives of those they care for, providing comfort and support.

In the list below, you’ll see some ways that a care partner can show their support. For someone with relapsing MS, even the simplest ideas can make a big difference.

WAYS TO PROVIDE INVALUABLE SUPPORT

  • You can help your loved one track symptoms to see if there are signs of new or worsening disease activity.
  • Be open and honest when discussing your loved one’s relapsing MS treatment goals.
  • Gathering information and weighing benefits and risks are activities many care partners can help with.
  • Go to healthcare provider appointments together. Listening and taking notes may help you remember something from the appointment that your partner does not.
  • Reviewing this website with your loved one will help you both learn more about LEMTRADA, including important safety information and results of clinical trials.
  • You and your loved one can use this information, along with the downloadable Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide, to talk to your doctor about LEMTRADA.
Important Safety Information See More

LEMTRADA can cause serious side effects including serious autoimmune problems. Some people receiving LEMTRADA develop a condition where the immune cells in your body attack other cells or organs in the body (autoimmunity), which can be serious and may cause death. Serious autoimmune problems may include: