Mavenclad (Cladribine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Mavenclad Used For?
Mavenclad contains the active ingredient cladribine and is specifically designed to treat multiple sclerosis by targeting your immune system.
Primary Uses
Mavenclad is used to treat relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). In this type of MS, Mavenclad has been shown to result in fewer relapses and less progression of disability.
How It Works
Mavenclad acts on cells in your immune system, known as lymphocytes, to reduce inflammation in the nervous system caused by multiple sclerosis.
Treatment Duration: Following completion of the 2 treatment courses, no further cladribine treatment is required in years 3 and 4.
How to Take Mavenclad
Mavenclad is administered in a specific pattern over two years with careful timing and handling requirements.
Dosage Instructions
Mavenclad is administered in two treatment courses over two years. Each treatment course consists of two treatment weeks at the start of a 1-year period. For a treatment week, you will take one or two tablets, once a day for 4-5 days. The second treatment week usually starts 4 weeks after the first. Your doctor will decide the number of tablets per day (1 or 2) and number of treatment days (4 or 5) depending on your body weight. Take at about the same time each day, before or after a meal. Your hands should be dry when handling tablets. Swallow tablets whole with water – never cut, crush, chew or let them dissolve in your mouth. Take immediately after removal from blister and wash hands with soap and water after taking.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose and remember on the same day, take it that day. If you don’t remember until the following day, do not take the missed dose with the scheduled dose. Take the missed dose on the next day and extend the treatment course by one day. If you miss 2 consecutive doses, extend the treatment course by 2 days. For example: if you forget Day 3 dose and remember on Day 4, take Day 3 dose on Day 4, Day 4 dose on Day 5, and extend the total treatment course by 1 day.
Important: Do not take a double dose on the same day to make up for a missed dose. Allow at least 3 hours before and after Mavenclad when taking other oral medicines.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Cold sores (viral infections)
- Skin rash
- Hair loss
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Infections with fever, chills, muscle weakness, decreased or difficult urination
- Severe reduction in lymphocytes (white blood cells) increasing infection risk
- Shingles with localized severe pain and blistering rash, typically on one side of upper body or face
- Liver problems: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine
Important Warnings
Mavenclad has several important contraindications and requires careful monitoring due to its effects on your immune system.
Who Should Not Take Mavenclad
Do not use if you: are allergic to cladribine or any ingredients; are HIV positive and/or have a weakened immune system; have active tuberculosis or hepatitis; are taking other medicines that weaken your immune system or affect your bone marrow (e.g. cyclosporin, methotrexate, mitoxantrone, azathioprine, natalizumab, or ongoing use of corticosteroids); have moderate or severe kidney disease; are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are a man, do not take Mavenclad if you and your partner are trying to have a baby.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you: might have or have had an infection; have or have had cancer; have been vaccinated recently or planning vaccination; have intolerance to fructose (Mavenclad contains sorbitol powder); have liver problems; take any medicines for other conditions. You may be at higher risk for infections and need vaccination prior to starting treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Mavenclad if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are a man, do not take if you and your partner are trying to have a baby. Mavenclad may harm your baby. You must use reliable contraception – both men and women should use birth control for at least 6 months (6 menstrual cycles) after their last dose. Tell your doctor immediately if you or your partner becomes pregnant during or after treatment.
Children and Adolescents: Do not give Mavenclad to a child or adolescent. There is no experience with its use in children or adolescents under 18 years old.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Mavenclad and affect how it works, requiring careful timing and monitoring.
Oral Medicine Timing: Do not take Mavenclad at the same time as any other oral medicine. Allow at least 3 hours before and after Mavenclad when taking other oral medicines.
- Immune system suppressants: cyclosporin, methotrexate, mitoxantrone, azathioprine, natalizumab, ongoing corticosteroids
- Other MS medicines: fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate
- Blood-affecting medicines: carbamazepine
- Heart/circulation medicines: dipyridamole, nifedipine, nimodipine, cilostazol, dilazep, reserpine, eltrombopag, sulindac, rifampicin
- St. John’s wort
- Live vaccines (must not be taken within 4-6 weeks of vaccination)
Alcohol & Driving
Exercise caution with activities requiring alertness and take sun protection measures while using Mavenclad.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Mavenclad affects you.
Sun Protection
Stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you need to be in the sun, use sunscreen and wear a hat and shirt to protect your skin. Check your skin regularly and have a doctor check your skin annually for new skin spots or changes to existing spots, moles or freckles, as single events of cancer including melanomas have been seen in people after treatment.
Storage
Store Mavenclad tablets below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Keep tablets in the original pack until time to take them for safety reasons and because the labeling includes important information. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it. Follow the child-resistant carton instructions for proper opening.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Mavenclad, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Taking too much Mavenclad will affect your white blood cells and you may need additional blood tests. It may be necessary to stop treatment with Mavenclad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mavenclad is administered in two treatment courses over two years. Each course consists of two treatment weeks. Following completion of the 2 treatment courses, no further cladribine treatment is required in years 3 and 4.
Yes, you may take Mavenclad before or after a meal. Take it at about the same time each day.
If you remember on the same day, take it that day. If you don’t remember until the next day, take the missed dose then and extend your treatment course by one day. Never take a double dose on the same day.
Your doctor will check your blood before you start Mavenclad and at intervals during and after treatment to make sure your treatment can be started or continued safely, as Mavenclad affects your white blood cell counts.
You must not be vaccinated with ‘live’ vaccines during or after Mavenclad treatment until your white blood cell counts return to normal. Mavenclad must not be taken within 4-6 weeks of vaccination with a live vaccine.
Stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you need to be in the sun, use sunscreen and wear a hat and shirt to protect your skin. Have your skin checked annually by a doctor for any changes.
Your hands should be dry when handling tablets. Swallow whole with water – never cut, crush, chew or let dissolve in your mouth. Take immediately after removing from blister and wash hands with soap and water afterward.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.