How could CCSVI angioplasty with stents be any more dangerous than Tysabri or Mitoxantrone?

By nomoredrugsSun, 12/26/2010 - 8:49pm

Tysabri (aka Natalizumab) increases your risk of getting a rare but very serious (sometimes fatal) brain infection (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy-PML). This risk increases the longer you use natalizumab. If you are also using other medications that weaken the immune system, such as such as interferon or immunosuppressants eg. azathioprine). This medication should be used alone and only when other treatments have not worked or you are unable to use them. Tysabri is used to treat multiple sclerosis when symptoms appear in cycles of worsening and improvement (relapsing/remitting). It is not a cure for MS, but it is thought to help by preventing your immune system from attacking the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. It helps decrease the number of episodes of worsening and may prevent or delay disability.
Because of the increased risk of PML in patients, Tysabri was withdrawn from the market in February 2005. In July 2006, Tysabri was reintroduced to the market with a boxed warning for PML..http://www.pharmcast.com/WarningLetters/Yr2010/Mar2010/BiogenIdec0310.htm

Mitoxantrone must be given only by injection into a vein but not into a muscle, under the skin, or into the spinal cord. You may get redness, pain, or swelling at or near the injection site. If it accidentally leaks into the skin/muscle around the injection site, it may cause severe damage.
It may infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) heart problems (including heart failure). This effect may occur during treatment or months to years after treatment is completed. The risk of heart problems is affected by your dose, medical history (including previous heart disease, radiation treatment to the chest area, or if you have MS-multiple sclerosis), and previous use of this and other drugs (including doxorubicin or daunorubicin). Tell your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, or swelling ankles/feet.
In some rare instances people treated with this type of medication have developed new cancers (e.g., secondary leukemia). The risk may be increased when this medication is given with certain anti-cancer drugs or radiation treatment. http://www.druginjuryblog.com/2008/07/30/novantrone-congestive-heart-fai...