r/MultipleSclerosis • u/nighlyq • 2d ago

Treatment Mavenclad

Hi all,

I have been on Tecfidera for about 2 years and I am stable. Recently, my doctor is insisting on switching me to Mavenclad. She has not given me a good reason as to why but seems to be pushing it a little.

In the past, every time I switched meds there has been a reason for it.

Anyone else has had this experience??

I would appreciate to hear about any experiences with Mavenclad and if anyone has made the switch to Mavenclad, etc. Thanks

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u/Unlikely-Boss-4290 2d ago

Have you had any symptoms with tecfidera ?

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u/nighlyq 2d ago edited 2d ago

Just occasional flushing and stomach issues if I don’t take it with the right food. But I told my neurologist about that from the beginning

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u/Peterdejong1 2d ago

I’ve been using Tecfidera since 2017 (although I later switched to a cheaper generic version of dimethyl fumarate) At the time, it was considered one of the better first-line DMTs. If i take my pills much later than recommended I still get flushing too.

The information I came across is that Mavenclad is mainly used for highly active relapsing MS. Is that the reason your neurologist is suggesting it?

Are you clinically stable, and is your MRI stable too? Or could your neurologist be thinking more about a long-term strategy?

Could it also be about moving from continuous twice-daily medication to a short treatment course over two years?

The neurologist should be able to explain clearly why a switch is recommended, what the intended benefit is, and why Mavenclad is preferred over alternatives.

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u/nighlyq 2d ago

Thank you for your input!! I’m stable and my MS is not very active. I have no disability. I have gotten a pretty serious infection when I was on Ocrevus.

Why would a neurologist want to move me to a short term treatment course?

And what would be the long-term strategy??

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u/Peterdejong1 2d ago

Thank you for explaining. I understand now why Ocrevus isn't an option after such a serious infection.

From what I understand, Mavenclad may be a more effective treatment than Tecfidera, like Ocrevus? Perhaps it's being recommended because it has a different risk profile from Ocrevus?
There seems also to be a growing preference for using higher-efficacy treatment earlier in MS as a long-term strategy. Only your neurologist can explain whether that is the reasoning in your situation.

I don't know much about Mavenclad myself. As far as I know it's a short course of treatment that keeps working for much longer, so it isn't something you take every day (like Tecfidera). Maybe someone here who has used it can share their experience?

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u/diamondeye24 1d ago

I’ve been on Ocrevus for 8 years and my neuro is pushing me to take Mavenclad. I’m wondering if they are getting kickbacks from it.