Mayzent (siponimod) is a brand-name drug prescribed for multiple sclerosis (MS) in certain adults. Mayzent comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on your results for certain genetic tests.
Mayzent is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following forms of MS in adults:
Mayzent belongs to a drug class called sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators. These drugs are known as immunomodulators. Mayzent works on your immune system to treat MS. Mayzent isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Mayzent, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Mayzent, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Mayzent provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Mayzent, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Read below for recommended dosages of Mayzent and other details about the drug.
Mayzent form
Mayzent comes as an oral tablet.
Mayzent strengths
Mayzent comes in three strengths:
- 0.25 milligrams (mg)
- 1 mg
- 2 mg
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will prescribe a low dosage to start. Then they’ll adjust it over 5–6 days to reach the amount that’s right for you. This is called your maintenance dosage. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for MS
Doctors may prescribe Mayzent to treat certain forms of MS.
If your doctor recommends Mayzent, your starting dose will likely be 0.25 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once per day for 2 days. Over the course of 6 days, your doctor will increase your dosage to 2 mg per day. This is the typically recommended maintenance dosage of Mayzent for people with MS.
The table below shows the typical dosing schedule for the 2-mg maintenance dose:
| Treatment day | Dosing schedule for the 2-mg maintenance dose |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 0.25 mg |
| Day 2 | 0.25 mg |
| Day 3 | 0.5 mg |
| Day 4 | 0.75 mg |
| Day 5 | 1.25 mg |
| Day 6+ | 2 mg |
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a lower maintenance dosage of 1 mg per day. To determine whether you need the lower dose, they’ll have you take a genetic test before starting Mayzent. For details about genetic testing for Mayzent, see the “Factors that can affect your dosage” section below.
The table below shows the typical dosing schedule for the 1-mg maintenance dose:
| Treatment day | Dosing schedule for the 1-mg maintenance dose |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 0.25 mg |
| Day 2 | 0.25 mg |
| Day 3 | 0.5 mg |
| Day 4 | 0.75 mg |
| Day 5+ | 1 mg |
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Mayzent is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Mayzent is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Mayzent, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Mayzent dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on a certain genetic test. Before starting Mayzent, your doctor will order a genetic test for the CYP2C9 gene. This gene makes an enzyme (a type of protein) in your liver that breaks down medications.
In people with a certain CYP2C9 genetic makeup (genotype), the drug breaks down slower than with other genotypes. If the drug breaks down slower, Mayzent may build up in your body. In this case, you’ll need a lower dose of Mayzent. (See “Mayzent dosage” above for details.) For some genotypes, Mayzent therapy is not suitable.
The table below shows the typical maintenance dosage by CYP2C9 genotype:
| CYP2C9 genotype | Mayzent maintenance dosage |
|---|---|
| *1/*1, *1/*2, or *2/*2 | 2 mg, taken once per day |
| *1/*3 or *2/*3 | 1 mg, taken once per day |
| *3/*3 | not suitable |
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Mayzent dosage. Be sure to tell your doctor about any health conditions you may have.
Mayzent comes as a tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. You may take your dose with or without food.
It may be helpful to take Mayzent around the same time every day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Mayzent can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have questions about how to take Mayzent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Mayzent in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss one of your maintenance doses, take it as soon as you remember. However, you may need to start over at treatment day 1 if:
- you miss four or more maintenance doses in a row
- you miss one of your starting doses and it’s been more than 24 hours since your missed dose
If you’re not sure whether to take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor if you think you need to take your starting doses over again.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Mayzent than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
An overdose effect of Mayzent is low heart rate, which can be serious. In some cases, if you take too much Mayzent, your doctor may want to monitor you overnight in a hospital. If your heart rate becomes too low, your care team may give you medication to treat it. For more information about this, talk with your doctor.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Mayzent
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Mayzent. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Mayzent.
Is the dosage of Mayzent similar to the dosage of Ocrevus?
No, Mayzent and Ocrevus have different forms and dosages. Mayzent comes as a tablet you take by mouth once per day. Ocrevus comes as a solution that’s given by intravenous (IV) infusion once every 6 months (after your loading dose). The dose in mg for each drug also differs because they have different active ingredients.
Both medications are used to manage symptoms of MS. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Mayzent to start working?
Mayzent starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you may not feel Mayzent working in your body. It may take several doses for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms. In addition, your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Mayzent treatment.
What’s the recommended maximum dosage of Mayzent?
The maximum dosage of Mayzent that’s recommended depends on the results of certain genetic tests. Before starting treatment, your doctor will determine the type of CYP2C9 gene you have. (CYP2C9 can affect the level of Mayzent in your body.) The maximum daily dose is 1 mg for some genotypes and 2 mg for others. For details about this, see the “Factors that can affect your dosage” section above.
No matter the CYP2C9 genotype, doctors prescribe a low dose to start Mayzent treatment. Then they increase the dose slowly over a week. For details, see the “Mayzent dosage” section above.
If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Mayzent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Mayzent for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Mayzent without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Mayzent that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Mayzent. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Mayzent: For information about other aspects of Mayzent, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Mayzent, see this article. You can also look at the Mayzent prescribing information.
- Details about multiple sclerosis: For details about multiple sclerosis (MS), see our MS hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.