Did your doctor prescribe you a medicine called Ozanimod? It may also be labeled as Zeposia on the medicine box. Since this is a somewhat special medicine, you may have many questions in your mind, such as "What is this for?", "What will happen to it?", "What should I know?" It's very normal. Don't be afraid of anything. We'll talk about this medicine, how to use it, and the things to be careful about in a very simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Ozanimod?
Ozanimod is a drug that is mainly used to treat two conditions. 1.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): This is a disease related to our nervous system. Simply put, our body's own immune system mistakenly attacks our own nerves. Ozanimod works by slowing down the overactive immune system. This helps control or delay the worsening of symptoms. It also reduces the number of flare-ups. 2.
Ulcerative Colitis: This is an inflammatory condition that occurs in our colon. This disease is also caused by an overactive immune system. Ozanimod helps control this condition. In addition to these two conditions, your doctor may also prescribe this drug for other conditions. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting this medication,
it is very important to inform your doctor about your complete health history. Because some medical conditions require special care when using this medication. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Condition/Occasion | Description |
|---|
| Heart disease | If you have previously had a heart attack, stroke, mini-stroke, heart rhythm disorders, or other heart disease. |
| High Blood Pressure | If you are being treated for high blood pressure. |
| Liver diseases | If you have any liver disease. |
| Diabetes | If you are diabetic. |
| Weakened immunity | If a doctor has told you that your immune system is weak. |
| Infections | If you currently have any infection, especially a viral infection like chickenpox or herpes. |
| Eye problems | If you have an eye condition such as eye inflammation. |
| Sleep Apnea | If you have a condition that causes you to stop breathing during sleep. |
| Skin cancer | If you have previously had skin cancer or melanoma. |
| Vaccines | If you have recently received any vaccinations or are scheduled to receive them in the future. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to Ozanimod, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water .
- Try to take it at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine whole . Do not break, crush, or chew it.
- You can take this before or after meals. However, if you feel an upset stomach, it is best to take it with food .
- Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop it on your own .
- You will receive a special instruction leaflet (MedGuide) when you are prescribed this medicine. Read it carefully each time you take your medicine.
The most important thing is, this medicine is for you only. Do not give your medicine to anyone else for any reason.
Do you give this medicine to children?
Children may require special care when given this medicine. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, talk to your doctor about it and get advice.
What do you do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. But don't take it lightly either. Go to
the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital immediately. Or, call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. They will tell you exactly what to do.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
This is something to remember in particular.
- If you miss one or more doses of the medicine within the first 14 days of starting treatment , do not just skip the next dose. Call your doctor right away. You may need to start over with a different starter pack.
- If you miss a dose after 14 days , skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the scheduled time.
Never take two doses of medicine at once to make up for a missed dose. This can have dangerous consequences.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Ozanimod is a drug that can interact with other medications. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Some medications
should not be taken with this one. Others require close monitoring.
Do not take these medications with Ozanimod. Talk to your doctor about these.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|
| MAOIs (for mental illness) | Marplan, Nardil, Parnate, Rasagiline, Safinamide, Selegiline |
| Antifungal | Ketoconazole, Levoketoconazole |
| Other | Dengue vaccine, Dronedarone, Linezolid, Pimozide, Thioridazine, St. John's wort (a herbal medicine) |
- Some medications for blood pressure, heart disease , and heart rhythm disorders
- Live virus vaccines
- Other drugs that reduce the body's immunity
|
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
You need to take a little more care of your health while taking this medicine.
Regular medical checkups
Your doctor will need to see you regularly. It is important to see if your symptoms are getting better or worse. They will also order things like blood work. Sometimes your eyes will need to be checked before you start taking the medicine and while you are taking it. If you notice any changes in your vision, tell your doctor right away.
Risk of infection
This medicine may reduce the activity of your immune system, which
may increase your risk of developing infections.If you have symptoms of a cold, such as fever, chills, sore throat, and cough, do not self-treat. Call your doctor for advice. Also, try to stay away from people who are sick.
If you have ever had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated against it, tell your doctor. You may need to get the vaccine before starting this medicine.
Be careful with vaccines.
This medicine may reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines. If you need to get any vaccines, be sure to tell them that you are taking this medicine.
Serious infections that can affect the brain (very rare)
In some patients, very rarely, this medicine can cause a serious infection of the brain. It can even lead to death. Therefore, if you have
trouble seeing, thinking, speaking, walking, or having problems with your balance , tell your doctor right away. If you are unable to reach your doctor, seek other medical advice immediately.
Skin cancer risk
This medicine may slightly increase your risk of skin cancer. To reduce your risk,
avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. If you go outside, wear clothing that covers your skin, wear good sunglasses and a hat, and use a good sunscreen. Avoid using tanning beds.
Pregnancy and birth control
This is very important. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Getting pregnant while taking this medicine and
for 3 months after stopping the medicine can cause serious birth defects. Therefore, it is essential to use
reliable birth control during this time. Ask your doctor about the method that is right for you.
What are the possible side effects?
Like all medicines, Ozanimod can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them. Watch out for the symptoms below.
Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately: Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported
to the doctor if they persist
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, changes in perception. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, very slow heartbeat. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right part of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual tiredness. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, pain when urinating. |
| Symptoms of Meningitis | Fever, neck pain or stiffness, sensitivity to light, headache, nausea, vomiting. |
| PRES syndrome | Sudden and severe headache, confusion, vision changes, seizures. |
| Other | Increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, dizziness, loss of balance. |
|
How do you keep medicine safe?
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets (such as dogs and cats) .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist about this.
I hope this article has given you a better understanding of Ozanimod (Zeposia). Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, the best person to ask is your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Ozanimod (Zeposia) is a special drug that controls the immune system and is used to treat diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Ulcerative Colitis .
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all other medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Take the medicine exactly as the doctor tells you, at the right time. Don't stop taking it whenever you feel like it.
- There is a higher risk of developing infections while taking this medicine. If you develop symptoms such as fever and cough, tell your doctor immediately.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, this medicine is not recommended. Use reliable birth control while taking the medicine and for 3 months after stopping.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as vision changes, severe headache, or changes in heart rate, seek medical advice immediately.
Ozanimod, Zeposia, Multiple Sclerosis, Ulcerative Colitis, MS, Immune System, Side Effects, Ozanimod
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