How long does it take Zeposia (ozanimod) to work?

Q: How long does it take Zeposia (ozanimod) to work?

Zeposia typically begins to provide relief from symptoms of multiple sclerosis within a few months of starting, although it may take up to a year for the full effects to be seen. Zeposia reduces the progression of multiple sclerosis, reduces the number of relapses, and people taking Zeposia had less brain atrophy than others prescribed standard multiple sclerosis care.

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 6, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Zeposia (ozanimod) typically begins to provide relief from symptoms of multiple sclerosis within a few months of starting, although it may take up to a year for the full effects to be seen. Zeposia reduces the progression of multiple sclerosis, reduces the number of relapses, and people taking Zeposia had less brain atrophy than others prescribed standard multiple sclerosis care.

Research has shown that there was a trend towards a reduction in disease progression with ozanimod Vs interferon-beta-1a within 3 months of administration (7.6% of ozanimod patients had disease progression Vs 7.8% of patients assigned interferon, although this difference was not statistically significant)
After one year of treatment, 78% of patients taking ozanimod were relapse-free, compared with 66% of patients taking interferon-beta-1a. After 2 years 76% of patients taking ozanimod remained relapse-free compared with 64% of those taking interferon
The number of new or enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions seen on MRI was significantly lower with one year of ozanimod treatment compared to the number seen with interferon (a 48% relative reduction). The number of GdE lesions was also statistically significantly lower with ozanimod compared to interferon (a 63% relative reduction).
In two year studies, these significant results persisted, although the relative reductions were slightly less (46% for T2 lesions and 53% for GdE lesions).

Zeposia is an oral prescription medicine that is approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease.

For people with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC), decreases in rectal bleeding and stool frequency were seen as early as week 2 and significant differences in clinical remission, clinical response, and endoscopic improvement compared to placebo were noted within 10 weeks of starting Zeposia.

In True North, a phase 3 trial that compared ozanimod to placebo in adult patients with moderately to severely active UC, the primary endpoint of clinical remission was met by week 10 with 18% of people taking ozanimod in remission compared to only 6% of those taking placebo. Secondary endpoints were also met, including clinical response (48% versus 26%), endoscopic improvement (27% versus 12%), and endoscopic-histologic mucosal improvement (13% versus 4%) for ozanimod versus placebo, respectively.
In the maintenance part of the trial the primary endpoint of clinical remission (37% versus 19%) as well as key secondary endpoints, including clinical response (60% versus 41%), endoscopic improvement (46% versus 26%), corticosteroid-free clinical remission (32% versus 17%) and endoscopic-histologic mucosal improvement (30% versus 14%) for ozanimod versus placebo, respectively, were maintained at week 52.

What can I eat or drink with ulcerative colitis?

These foods help settle your stomach and ensure you receive enough vitamins and minerals during an UC flare and include low-fiber fruits such as bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and cooked or canned fruits; lean protein, which is found in fish, lean cuts of pork, chicken, soy, eggs, and firm tofu; refined grains, found in sourdough, potato or gluten-free bread, white pasta, white rice, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal; fully cooked, de-seeded, skinless, non-cruciferous vegetables such as asparagus tips, cucumbers, potatoes, and squash; homemade protein shakes or oral supplements; using olive oil instead of other oils or fats; apple sauce; or herbal or green tea. Continue reading

Which is worse: Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?

Although ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are both long-term, inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract, ulcerative colitis (UC) may be considered “worse” because surgery may be required earlier and, in certain circumstances, more urgently, in people with severe and extensive UC. With sudden, severe UC, medications and intravenous steroids are unable to control the symptoms, and rarely, uncontrolled bleeding can occur from deep ulcerations in the colon. Severe, sudden UC can also lead to toxic megacolon (a rapid enlargement of the colon) which is a potentially life-threatening complication caused by severe inflammation that requires immediate surgery. Symptoms include severe pain, distension or bloating of the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, constipation, and dehydration. Continue reading

How long do ulcerative colitis flare-ups last?

Flare ups of ulcerative colitis usually last for days or weeks and are unlikely to get better by themselves. Without treatment they can persist for longer, which can cause further damage to the lining of the colon. Ulcerative colitis tends to be a progressive condition which means that as time goes on, flare ups become more frequent and last for longer and periods of remission get shorter. Continue reading

Drug information

Zeposia (8 reviews)
Ozanimod (8 reviews)

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