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. 2021 Sep:54:103148.
doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103148. Epub 2021 Jul 13.

Oral administration of methylprednisolone powder for intravenous injection dissolved in water to treat MS and NMOSD relapses during COVID-19 pandemic in a real-world setting

Geraldine G Luetic  1 , María Laura Menichini  2 , Óscar Fernández  3
Affiliations

Oral administration of methylprednisolone powder for intravenous injection dissolved in water to treat MS and NMOSD relapses during COVID-19 pandemic in a real-world setting

Geraldine G Luetic et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Upon the COVID-19 pandemic emergence, safety concerns and logistic drawbacks stimulated the search for alternatives to pulse therapy at infusion centres to treat multiple sclerosis relapses.

Objective: To describe our experience treating multiple sclerosis relapses with a dilute injectable methylprednisolone powder orally administered, in a safe home-based environment and with totally virtual assessment and follow up via telemedicine.

Methods: Descriptive observational, retrospective, single-centre, open label, study in the real-world setting.

Results: Between August 2020 and March 2021, ten multiple sclerosis patients and one neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease patient, regularly assisted at our multiple sclerosis centre in Argentina, experienced twelve disease relapses (nine moderate/severe relapses and three mild relapses) and were treated with the oral dilute of injectable methylprednisolone powder pulses with good efficacy as well as adequate tolerance and safety profile.

Conclusions: The oral pulse therapy based on the methylprednisolone powder dilution we describe is simple and comfortable to administer and can be an option in countries like Argentina, where the oral methylprednisolone formulation is not marketed. In these pandemic times, a home based and virtually monitored pulse therapy could represent a safe and effective alternative to manage relapses while minimizing the patient's risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: COVID-19; MS; NMOSD; Relapse treatment with oral methylprednisolone; Telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

GL has received: research support; educational, advisory boards and consultation fees; travel reimbursements and grants for congresses from: Bayer, Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Synthon-Bagó, Teva and Tuteur.

MLM has no conflict of interest.

OF has received honoraria as a consultant on advisory boards, and as a moderator or speaker at meetings, and has also participated in clinical trials and other research projects promoted by Biogen - Idec, Bayer - Schering; Merck - Serono, Teva, Novartis, Actelion, Almirall, Genzyme, Roche, Allergan, Orizon and Araclon

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Changes in EDSS score in twelve treated relapses. Scores were obtained before the relapse, during the relapse and before oMP pulse, and four weeks after oMP pulse.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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