Zeposia (Ozanimod) Side Effects, Alternatives, & How to Save
speciality medications
If you (or a loved one) has multiple sclerosis—MS—or ulcerative colitis—UC—you may be familiar with traditional treatments like interferons or anti-inflammatories like mesalamine. Those medications work very well; they’ve stood the test of time for a reason.
But if neither of those works for you, you might wonder: What’s your next move?
Zeposia, a brand-name medication that contains the active ingredient ozanimod, can help treat multiple sclerosis and moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. It’s a once-daily treatment that helps manage the immune response.
While it does have a high price tag (more on that later!) and a potentially unsettling list of side effects, this specialty treatment may be worth exploring if you need an option that works.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Zeposia (Ozanimod) Used For?
There are two main things that Zeposia is used to treat.
These two conditions include:
- Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Qualifying forms of MS can include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, as well as active secondary progressive MS.
- Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, particularly for patients who have these conditions and have not had good experiences with other medications.
Zeposia is a good fit for these conditions because it works by targeting an overactive immune system.
Once a patient takes Zeposia, they should start seeing a reduction in symptoms related to inflammation.
Zeposia should also be able to help prevent the immune system from attacking healthy tissue, which can allow a patient to sidestep nasty disease progression and unhelpful, frustrating side effects.
Zeposia Side Effects: What to Know Before Starting
That said, Zeposia is not free of side effects, itself.
Zeposia is an example of an immunomodulating drug.
That means it manages, affects, and changes a person’s immune system. Your immune system is at the heart of an incredible number of your body’s functions, so when something affects your immune system, it affects your whole body.
Most of Zeposia’s side effects are manageable. But it’s a good idea to be aware of what could happen, and to have a mitigation plan in place if one is needed.
The most common side effects of Zeposia include:
- Headaches
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Respiratory infections (nasopharyngitis or upper respiratory tract infections)
- Urinary tract infections
- Back pain
- Hypertension
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Now, that’s quite the laundry list, but remember that most of these side effects should take place as your body is getting used to the drug and will likely taper off with time.
There are also a few more serious and rare side effects that can happen when people start taking Zeposia. These include bradycardia (or a very low heart rate), liver damage, increased risk of infections, macular edema (or swelling in the middle of your retinas), and respiratory issues.
Your doctor will be aware of these risks and will help you monitor yourself as you start to take Zeposia, but remember, if you realize that you’re experiencing anything out of the ordinary after taking this medication, don’t second-guess yourself. Call your doctor at once.
Zeposia Mechanism of Action: How It Works
Zeposia is a type of medication called a “selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator.”
That’s a handful of pharmaceutical terms that generally translates to mean a drug that modulates an overactive immune response.
When a patient has a condition like MS or ulcerative colitis, their immune system starts to attack tissues that are otherwise healthy.
Zeposia helps stop this from happening by preventing a specific type of white blood cell from entering the bloodstream, which is a key step in the inflammatory response.
Let’s get just a little more granular about how Zeposia works: Zeposia targets two receptors. These receptors are called “S1P1” and “S1P5.”
Why does this matter to you? By zeroing in on very specific, predictable receptors, you can use Zeposia to be very selective about how you moderate your immune response.
Is Zeposia a Biologic?
No, Zeposia is not a biologic medication.
Biologic medications are a separate class of treatments that require special administration, storage, and general logistics. They’re derived from living organisms—hence the name—and tend to act on specific inflammatory proteins.
Biologics can be expensive and frustrating to work with (although very effective in some circumstances).
Zeposia is chemically synthesized. It works on immune cell migration.
For patients, the difference between biologics and Zeposia boils down to this:
- Zeposia is shelf-stable. You won’t need to refrigerate it.
- You can take Zeposia as a simple oral tablet. You won’t need to inject or infuse it.
- While, sometimes, navigating insurance for biologics may be difficult, with Zeposia it shouldn’t be. You may still need to get prior authorization, though.
Zeposia for Ulcerative Colitis: What Makes It Unique?
Zeposia was first approved as a multiple sclerosis treatment. Its approval for ulcerative colitis and symptoms related to UC (like constipation) came afterward, and with that approval came a shift in the way that UC can be treated.
For the most part, prior to Zeposia, patients with ulcerative colitis were used to working with biologics for their treatment.
While that might still be the best approach for many, Zeposia can be a more convenient option (especially if their condition wasn’t responsive to other treatments).
Zeposia Price: How Much Does It Cost?
Zeposia is a specialty medication. In the United States, that generally translates to a higher drug cost.
That holds true for Zeposia. A supply of 7 capsules can cost over $2,200.00—and some estimates place the yearly cost of the drug at around $25,000.00.
(And, of course, this doesn’t include the sorts of adjacent costs that you may incur while taking Zeposia, like any necessary titration starter packs or labwork.)
If you don’t have enough cash on hand to cover that hefty price tag, you do have options.
For example, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy Zeposia for about $80.00 per tablet, or approximately a 74% savings when compared to the average retail price.
Is There a Generic for Zeposia?
No, there is not currently a generic for Zeposia.
Zeposia is a newer drug, and it’s still under patent protection.
Those patents will likely hold until at least 2033, which means that Zeposia’s manufacturercan enjoy full control over Zeposia’s pricing. It will be a long time before there is a widely available generic.
How to Save on Zeposia: Realistic Options for Patients
Usually, when patients want to save on their prescription medications, there’s a chance that they can find a generic version of the med they need.
That’s not the only option that today’s patients have. Sometimes, patients may be able to qualify for patient assistance, for example. Let’s walk through the strategies you can employ.
Manufacturer savings programs. Bristol Myers Squibb, the company that makes Zeposia, offers a Zeposia 360 Support Program.
If you qualify for this program, you can receive a copay card that helps keep your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible.
Your insurance coverage. Some patients may have excellent insurance coverage, and it’s true that (for some) this can make the end cost of your Zeposia much lower.
However, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan, as—especially in America—healthcare coverage can go away in the blink of an eye (say, if your coverage is tied to your employment).
It’s also very possible for an insurer to decide to reduce or remove coverage of a specific drug, so, even if you retain overall coverage, your insurer might not pay for something unique that you need.
International and Canadian online pharmacies. Vetted, certified, and reputable online Canadian pharmacy websites and international ones don’t require you to have fabulous insurance or jump through hoops to qualify for manufacturer savings programs.
Instead, you can access brand-name medications like Zeposia at savings up to 74% off the U.S. retail price.
Zeposia Alternatives: What Are the Options?
Zeposia is an effective, convenient medication, but it isn’t for everyone.
If you’ve considered all of the relevant factors—including cost and side effects—and determined that you need to seek an alternative treatment, that’s more than okay. There are other medications out there that you and your doctor may determine are a better fit for you.
Just a few of the most common Zeposia alternatives include:
Gilenya (fingolimod)
Gilenya is an oral S1P receptor modulator, which makes it quite similar to Zeposia. It, however, is approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, and not UC…unless it’s used off-label, in rare cases, under specialist supervision.
You can buy Gilenya through NorthWestPharmacy.com starting at $130.00 per pill.
Mayzent (siponimod)
Mayzent is a next-generation S1P modulator.
It was designed to target a smaller, more select class of receptor subtypes, which may reduce the risk of certain side effects like heart rate changes.
Ponvory (ponesimod)
Ponvory is a once-daily S1P receptor modulator. It’s shown to be effective at reducing MS relapse rates and active brain lesions. It may also be a bit more flexible than Zeposia, allowing for faster reversal of immune suppression in situations where treatment needs to be paused.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zeposia (Ozanimod)
Still have a few questions about Zeposia?
That makes sense! It’s a newer medication that can have a huge impact on your life.
Here are just a few quick, direct, and clear answers to some of the most common questions about Zeposia.
Is Zeposia a Biologic?
No, Zeposia is not a biologic. It’s a small molecule drug.
This distinction means that Zeposia is a bit more convenient than many other UC drugs; you don’t need to store it in a fridge, inject it, or infuse it.
How Does Zeposia Work?
Zeposia works by binding to specific S1P receptors on certain types of immune cells. The result of this binding is fewer of these cells entering the bloodstream—which results in less immune activity.
For people who have conditions related to too much immune activity, this can be a very good thing.
Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Zeposia?
It’s not a good idea to drink alcohol while taking Zeposia—certainly not too much alcohol, whenever possible.
Drinking alcohol in moderation while taking Zeposia is not strictly prohibited, but it’s important to be cautious. Both alcohol and Zeposia can affect liver function and combining them could increase your risk of liver-related side effects.
If you do decide to drink, it’s just important to do so while being aware of the risks.
Talk to your doctor to learn more about your unique risk threshold, and if there is anything you can do to keep tabs on your liver function long-term.
How Long Can You Stay on Zeposia?
You can stay on Zeposia for quite some time.
Zeposia was designed for long-term use, which makes sense, since conditions like multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis are chronic ones. The patients who take Zeposia (and have a good experience with it) tend to remain on it for months or even years.
Your doctor will help you make sure that any planned long-term use of Zeposia is as safe as possible for you.
Should You Try Zeposia? (+Where to Save Big)
Zeposia can be a very promising treatment to consider if you or a loved one has multiple sclerosis or ulcerative colitis…particularly if your condition hasn’t responded well to other types of medication. Zeposia is also much more convenient than several similar treatments, with its targeted action and once-daily oral administration.
That said, the retail price for Zeposia is very, very high. That’s where we’re able to help.
Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, American patients can buy lower-cost brand name medications—even specialty medications like Zeposia.
Want to see how this works for yourself? Head to our Zeposia product page to learn more and find your dosage. The friendly support team at NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you and your health.
