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AUBAGIO & You > AUBAGIO Resources > FAQs
AUBAGIO FAQs
MS One to One® Nurses assist people who take AUBAGIO for their relapsing MS by providing them with knowledge and advice, as well as practical and emotional support.
In their conversations with people taking AUBAGIO, there are certain topics that come up frequently. Here are answers to the questions they hear most often. These are here as a guide, but remember that if you have any concerns about your health or treatment, contact your healthcare provider. He or she can best answer your questions or concerns about your health.
I’m worried about paying for my AUBAGIO. What should I do?
There are ways to access (or continue accessing) AUBAGIO, even if you’re facing financial challenges, or are experiencing a change in insurance. Your dedicated MS One to One nurse will help you navigate your insurance, including benefits verification and helping to secure financial assistance for eligible patients. Here are some typical types of insurance people use to help with the cost of treatment.
Commercial Insurance
Sold individually or as part of a group plan offered by an employer, this type of insurance typically covers medical and pharmacy expenses. Learn more about commercial insurance, and about the different ways MS One to One can help you navigate your insurance plan, and/or help you find ways to offset some of the remaining costs.
AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program
The AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program offers assistance for those with commercial insurance. It assists with co-pays and co-insurance for the cost of your AUBAGIO prescription*—regardless of financial status. (Other medical costs are not covered.) Learn more about the Co-Pay Program.
*Out-of-pocket costs related to medical appointments, evaluations, testing, or other related services are not covered by the AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program. The AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program is not available for prescriptions purchased under Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, or other federal- and state-funded programs. Sanofi Genzyme reserves the right to amend or terminate the Program at any time without notice. The maximum annual patient benefit under the AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program is $18,000. Copay amounts after applying copay assistance may depend on the patient’s insurance plan and may vary. The AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program is intended to help patients afford AUBAGIO. Patients may have insurance plans that attempt to dilute the impact of the assistance available under the AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program. In those situations, the AUBAGIO Co-Pay Program may change its terms.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is an optional prescription drug plan that people with Medicare insurance can purchase to cover the cost of prescription drugs. Read more about the program, and learn about the different ways MS One to One can help you navigate your Medicare Part D coverage plan.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides health coverage for low income people and select others. It’s federally mandated, but each state administers the program differently. Learn more about Medicaid, including how you can get more information about your state’s Medicaid program.
Patient Assistance Program (PAP)
If you find yourself without insurance and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may qualify for the Patient Assistance Program, which can help offset the cost of your AUBAGIO. Learn more about this program and review its eligibility requirements.
Foundations
There are charitable groups that provide funding to patients who are unable to pay for medication or are having trouble paying for medication. See a list of foundations you can contact to find out if you qualify for their funding.
Can I still work with my MS?
Some people continue to work long after receiving an MS diagnosis, while others find it challenging. Everyone’s situation is different, but there are things you can consider when asking if staying on the job is the right decision for you. Read more about work and MS.
I’m concerned about AUBAGIO’s potential side effects. What do I need to know?
It's important to understand side effects of medication you're taking. AUBAGIO is no exception. The most common side effects of AUBAGIO are:
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Hair thinning and loss
- Abnormal liver tests
These are not all of the side effects.
There are also possible serious side effects of AUBAGIO, including risk of liver problems and potential harm to an unborn baby. If you experience any of the following side effects while taking AUBAGIO, speak with your healthcare provider right away.
Other possible serious side effects include:
- Reduced white blood cell count (this may cause you to have more infections)
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet that is different from your MS symptoms
- Allergic reactions, including serious skin problems
- Breathing problems (new or worsening)
- High blood pressure
- Certain vaccinations should be avoided during treatment with AUBAGIO and for at least 6 months after discontinuation
Not every individual reacts the same to medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns that you have regarding side effects. You can also call the MS One to One Nurses at 1‑855‑676‑6326.
I’m worried that AUBAGIO could lead to hair thinning or loss. What should I know?
It’s normal to be concerned about possible hair thinning or loss. Hair thinning associated with AUBAGIO is similar to hair thinning that can come with childbirth, stress, or an iron deficiency.1,2 It’s usually temporary and may occur around three months after beginning treatment.3
Most people who reported hair thinning or loss did not stop taking AUBAGIO as a result.
If you do experience hair thinning, there are things you can do minimize its appearance.
- Use hair-volumizing shampoo, conditioner, and other hair-volumizing products.
- Use a broad-tooth hairbrush that easily slips through hair so it’s less likely to break hair or pull it out.
- Talk to your hair stylist about styles or colors that offer depth or dimension and may create the appearance of fuller hair.
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I’m experiencing something… unpleasant. Is it a side effect of AUBAGIO, a symptom of my MS, or something else entirely?
Side effects are the unintended “effects” of a medication that have been identified and recorded during the clinical trial process and real-world patient experience. Symptoms, on the other hand, are related to a specific disease or condition. (For example, dizziness is a symptom of relapsing MS.) Though very different, side effects and symptoms can be mistaken for each other. If you have questions about your health, or any medication your taking—including AUBAGIO—please consult your healthcare provider.
I have questions about my liver test results. What should I do?
Some people on AUBAGIO have reported experiencing elevated liver enzymes, specifically alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Elevated ALTs can indicate serious liver problems, which is why people taking AUBAGIO need regular blood tests to check the liver during their first six months of therapy. Have you have received the results of a lab test and want to know how to interpret it? Read more about liver testing and understanding the tests’ results. However, it’s important to note that those values cited are just a general guide; you should discuss your lab results with your healthcare provider, especially if you have questions or concerns.
I feel like my family doesn’t understand what I’m going through and it’s creating friction. What can I do?
This is not an uncommon issue for people living with MS. Studies show the condition can often have a significant impact on families, and can lead to stress and tension within the family unit.4 When dealing with these family challenges, some people find it helpful to talk their problems through with a supportive, third-party person who has experience with chronic illness and its effect.
MS One to One can also offer support. Reach out to them at any time with your questions, concerns, or to simply talk about what’s on your mind: 1-855-676-6326.
What do I need to know about AUBAGIO and family planning?
When it comes to MS and pregnancy, there are some important choices you may need to make. If you’re thinking about starting or expanding your family, you should speak with your healthcare provider.5,6 Planning a family is possible when you work with your healthcare team to decide which treatment is best for you.5,6
Having multiple sclerosis does not directly affect your ability to father a child,6 become pregnant,7 or carry a baby to term.7 But, AUBAGIO may cause harm to an unborn baby.1 Therefore, a woman should not take AUBAGIO if she is pregnant, or of childbearing age and not using effective birth control. AUBAGIO is detected in human semen,1 so men capable of fathering children and taking AUBAGIO should use effective birth control at all times.
If you are taking AUBAGIO and plan on becoming pregnant, there are a few steps to take.
Women taking AUBAGIO
- Speak with your primary care physician, OB-GYN, and neurologist about what your family planning goals are for the next few years.1,5,6
- Consult with your healthcare provider about the accelerated elimination process for AUBAGIO, which can remove AUBAGIO from your blood quickly. (The process takes about 11 days.)1
Men taking AUBAGIO
- Speak with your primary care physician and your neurologist about what your family planning goals are for the next few years.1,6
- Advise your partner to let her OB-GYN know that you are taking or considering taking AUBAGIO.1
- Consult with your healthcare provider about the accelerated elimination process for AUBAGIO, which can remove AUBAGIO from your blood quickly. (The process takes 11 days.)1
If you become pregnant while taking AUBAGIO—or within two years of taking it— tell your healthcare provider right away. You may also want to enroll in the AUBAGIO Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s health. The number to join is: 1-800-745-4447