title: Safety of switching from natalizumab straight into fingolimod in a group of JCV-positive patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess safety of the switch between natalizumab and fingolimod without a washout period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective data on 25 JCV positive patients who underwent this medication switch were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a median period of nine months from the medication switch, there were no safety issues to report. The patients had good disease control and no adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Washout may not be necessary in daily practice when switching from natalizumab to fingolimod. Expertise on multiple sclerosis management, however, is essential for drug switching.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Departamento de Neurologia, Santos SP, Brasil;
authors.forename: Yara Dadalti
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Fragoso
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Neurologia, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brasil;
authors.forename: Soniza Vieira
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Alves-Leon
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Neurologia, Porto Alegre RS, Brasil;
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Departamento de Neurologia, Santos SP, Brasil;
authors.forename: Joseph Bruno Bidin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Clinica de Neurologia e Endocrinologia (CLINEN), Departamento de Neurologia, Brasília DF, Brasil;
authors.forename: Eber Castro
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Departamento de Neurologia, Campinas SP, Brasil;
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damasceno
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica Sorocaba, Departamento de Neurologia, Sorocaba SP, Brasil;
authors.forename: Paulo Diniz da
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica Sorocaba, Departamento de Neurologia, Sorocaba SP, Brasil;
authors.forename: Rodrigo Assad da
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Neurologia, Niterói RJ, Brasil;
authors.forename: Andre Palma da Cunha
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Matta
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal, Departamento de Neurologia, Brasília DF, Brasil;
authors.forename: Ernane Pires
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.affiliation: Universidade Positivo, Departamento de Neurologia, Curitiba PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Thereza Cristina d'Avila
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Winckler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057915:Drug Substitution; D005260:Female; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007577:JC Virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069442:Natalizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069442:Natalizumab; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride