Maby, MAVENCLAD patient, dosed in 2020 and 2021

MAVENCLAD is the first and only short-course oral therapy with no more than 10 treatment days a year for 2 years.

Each week of MAVENCLAD treatment, known as a cycle, consists of 1 or 2 pills a day for 4 or 5 days in a row. The number of pills you take each day depends on your weight.


There are two MAVENCLAD cycles a year, about a month apart, for 2 years. You do not need to take MAVENCLAD during Years 3 and 4.
Your health will be monitored before, during, and after treatment.

An orange calendar with the words "Year 1: 8 or 10 treatment days a year" at the top illustrating the year 1 dosing schedule for MAVENCLAD® (cladribine).
A blue calendar with the words "Year 2: 8 or 10 treatment days a year" at the top illustrating the year 2 dosing schedule for MAVENCLAD® (cladribine).

†1 or 2 pills a day depending on your weight.

A gray calendar with the words "Year 3: No MAVENCLAD Treatment Days" at the top illustrating the year 3 dosing schedule for MAVENCLAD® (cladribine).
A gray calendar with the words "Year 4: No MAVENCLAD Treatment Days" at the top illustrating the year 4 dosing schedule for MAVENCLAD® (cladribine).

Outside of this treatment schedule, you will not take any MAVENCLAD. MAVENCLAD will continue to treat your MS even when you’re not actively taking it.

Even if you feel like your MS is under control, it is important to complete the entire 2-year treatment plan as prescribed. The results seen in the clinical trial were based on completing 2 yearly treatment courses.

What happens after taking MAVENCLAD

Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your health during the 2 yearly treatment courses as well as between treatment courses and for at least another 2 years, during which you do not need to take MAVENCLAD.

Talk to your healthcare provider about what comes next for your treatment plan after year two.'

Your healthcare provider may delay or completely stop treatment with MAVENCLAD if you have severe side effects.

What to expect when taking MAVENCLAD

MAVENCLAD comes in a box that will include either 4- or 5-day packs. Each day pack contains 1 or 2 pills. The exact number of MAVENCLAD pills you receive is based on your weight.
It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding your MAVENCLAD treatment plan.

Remember to:

  • Keep day packs in their original packaging and out of children's reach.
  • Limit skin contact with the MAVENCLAD pills and wash hands and surfaces exposed to the pills.
  • Make sure you don’t take any other oral (by mouth) medications 3 hours before or 3 hours after you take MAVENCLAD.

 

Image of MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) packaging open to show doses inside.
Icon of a smart phone with a chat bubble over it representing MS LifeLines® support for patients.

Whether it's a nurse visit or a phone call, or reminders to help track your dosing, MS LifeLines® Nurses can support you through every part of your treatment journey.

Learn about support with MS LifeLines


Four steps for taking MAVENCLAD:

Have a glass of water ready, and make sure that your hands are clean and dry before taking the tablet(s).

Icon of how to open MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) packaging.

Open flap, push and hold hooks, and pull out the tray until it stops.

Icon of a hand holding a MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) tablet sleeve.

Raise the blister pack by pushing your finger through the hole in the tray. Place your hand under the blister pack and push 1 or 2 tablet(s) into your hand, according to your prescribed dose.

Icon of one hand holding a glass of water and the other hand holding one MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) tablet.

Swallow tablet(s) with water. Tablets must be swallowed whole and not chewed. Contact with skin should be limited. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and other parts of the body.

Icon of one hand next to a soap pump with a drop of soap going into the hand representing the importance of thoroughly washing your hands after taking MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) tablets.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

A woman raises her hand to ask a question during an educational event about multiple sclerosis amidst an engaged audience. Not real MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) patients.

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Learning about a treatment for relapsing MS is better together. Join us online or in person for the next MAVENCLAD event.

REGISTER FOR AN EVENT
Expand

WHAT IS MAVENCLAD?

MAVENCLAD is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Because of its safety profile, MAVENCLAD is generally used in people who have tried another MS medicine that they could not tolerate or that has not worked well enough.

MAVENCLAD is not recommended for use in people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

It is not known if MAVENCLAD is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age and is therefore not recommended.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

MAVENCLAD may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Risk of cancer (malignancies). You should follow healthcare provider instructions about screening for cancer.
  • MAVENCLAD may cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. Women must not be pregnant when they start treatment with MAVENCLAD or become pregnant during MAVENCLAD dosing and within 6 months after the last dose of each yearly treatment course. You should stop treatment with MAVENCLAD and contact your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with MAVENCLAD.
    • For women who are able to become pregnant:
      • Your healthcare provider should order a pregnancy test before you begin your first and second yearly treatment course of MAVENCLAD to make sure that you are not pregnant.
    • Ask your healthcare provider which contraceptive method is right for you. Women and men being treated with MAVENCLAD should use effective birth control (contraception) on the days on which they take MAVENCLAD and for at least 6 months after the last dose of each yearly treatment course.

Do not take MAVENCLAD if you:

  • have cancer (malignancy).
  • are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are a woman of childbearing age or a man able to father a child and you are not using birth control.
  • are breastfeeding.
  • are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.
  • have active infections, including tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B or C.
  • are allergic to cladribine.

Before you take MAVENCLAD, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • think you have an infection.
  • have taken, take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system or blood cells, or other treatments for MS. Certain medicines can increase your risk of getting an infection.
  • have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive live or live-attenuated vaccines within the 4 to 6 weeks preceding treatment with MAVENCLAD or receive these types of vaccines during your treatment with MAVENCLAD and unless directed by your healthcare provider.
  • have heart failure.
  • have or have had cancer.
  • have liver or kidney problems.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if MAVENCLAD passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed on the days on which you take MAVENCLAD, and for 10 days after the last dose.

How should I take MAVENCLAD?

  • MAVENCLAD is given as two yearly treatment courses, consisting of 2 treatment weeks (cycles) about a month apart.
  • Handle MAVENCLAD with dry hands and take immediately after opening the blister pack. Take with water and do not chew the tablet. MAVENCLAD can be taken with or without food and should be taken at least 3 hours apart from other medicines.
  • Wash your hands after handling MAVENCLAD. Limit contact with your skin (especially on your face). Wash skin and surfaces with water if contact occurs.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If the whole day passes before you remember, take your missed dose the next day. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Instead, you will extend the number of days in that treatment week.

Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your health during the 2 yearly treatment courses, and for at least another 2 years during which you do not need to take MAVENCLAD. It is not known if MAVENCLAD is safe and effective in people who restart MAVENCLAD treatment more than 2 years after completing 2 yearly treatment courses.

MAVENCLAD can cause serious side effects. If you have any of these symptoms listed below, call your healthcare provider right away:

  • low blood cell counts have happened and can increase your risk of infections during treatment with MAVENCLAD. Blood tests are needed before you start treatment with MAVENCLAD, during your treatment with MAVENCLAD, and afterward, as needed.
  • serious infections such as:
    • life-threatening or fatal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi.
    • TB, hepatitis B or C, and shingles (herpes zoster). Fatal cases of TB and hepatitis have happened with cladribine during clinical studies. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any symptoms of the following infection related problems or if any of the symptoms get worse, including fever, aching painful muscles, headache, feeling of being generally unwell, loss of appetite, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area, skin blotches, blistered rash, or severe pain.
    • progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability. Although PML has not been seen in MS patients taking MAVENCLAD, it may happen in people with weakened immune systems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening neurologic signs or symptoms. These may include: weakness on 1 side of your body, loss of coordination in your arms and legs, decreased strength, problems with balance, changes in your vision, changes in your thinking or memory, confusion, or changes in your personality.
  • liver problems. Symptoms of liver problems may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. Your doctor will perform blood tests to check your liver during treatment.
  • allergic reactions (hypersensitivities). You should stop treatment and seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of allergic reactions occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, swelling or itching of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing.
  • heart failure. MAVENCLAD may cause heart failure, which means your heart may not pump as well as it should. Call your healthcare provider or go to the closest emergency room for medical help right away if you have any signs or symptoms such as shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or unusual swelling in your body.

The most common side effects of MAVENCLAD include: upper respiratory infection, headache, and low white blood cell counts.

These are not all the possible side effects of MAVENCLAD. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact EMD Serono at: 1-800-283-8088 ext. 5563 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including serious side effects.

Expand

WHAT IS MAVENCLAD?

MAVENCLAD is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Because of its safety profile, MAVENCLAD is generally used in people who have tried another MS medicine that they could not tolerate or that has not worked well enough.

MAVENCLAD is not recommended for use in people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

It is not known if MAVENCLAD is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age and is therefore not recommended.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

MAVENCLAD may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Risk of cancer (malignancies). You should follow healthcare provider instructions about screening for cancer.
  • MAVENCLAD may cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. Women must not be pregnant when they start treatment with MAVENCLAD or become pregnant during MAVENCLAD dosing and within 6 months after the last dose of each yearly treatment course. You should stop treatment with MAVENCLAD and contact your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with MAVENCLAD.
    • For women who are able to become pregnant:
      • Your healthcare provider should order a pregnancy test before you begin your first and second yearly treatment course of MAVENCLAD to make sure that you are not pregnant.
    • Ask your healthcare provider which contraceptive method is right for you. Women and men being treated with MAVENCLAD should use effective birth control (contraception) on the days on which they take MAVENCLAD and for at least 6 months after the last dose of each yearly treatment course.

Do not take MAVENCLAD if you:

  • have cancer (malignancy).
  • are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are a woman of childbearing age or a man able to father a child and you are not using birth control.
  • are breastfeeding.
  • are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.
  • have active infections, including tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B or C.
  • are allergic to cladribine.

Before you take MAVENCLAD, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • think you have an infection.
  • have taken, take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system or blood cells, or other treatments for MS. Certain medicines can increase your risk of getting an infection.
  • have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive live or live-attenuated vaccines within the 4 to 6 weeks preceding treatment with MAVENCLAD or receive these types of vaccines during your treatment with MAVENCLAD and unless directed by your healthcare provider.
  • have heart failure.
  • have or have had cancer.
  • have liver or kidney problems.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if MAVENCLAD passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed on the days on which you take MAVENCLAD, and for 10 days after the last dose.

How should I take MAVENCLAD?

  • MAVENCLAD is given as two yearly treatment courses, consisting of 2 treatment weeks (cycles) about a month apart.
  • Handle MAVENCLAD with dry hands and take immediately after opening the blister pack. Take with water and do not chew the tablet. MAVENCLAD can be taken with or without food and should be taken at least 3 hours apart from other medicines.
  • Wash your hands after handling MAVENCLAD. Limit contact with your skin (especially on your face). Wash skin and surfaces with water if contact occurs.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If the whole day passes before you remember, take your missed dose the next day. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Instead, you will extend the number of days in that treatment week.

Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your health during the 2 yearly treatment courses, and for at least another 2 years during which you do not need to take MAVENCLAD. It is not known if MAVENCLAD is safe and effective in people who restart MAVENCLAD treatment more than 2 years after completing 2 yearly treatment courses.

MAVENCLAD can cause serious side effects. If you have any of these symptoms listed below, call your healthcare provider right away:

  • low blood cell counts have happened and can increase your risk of infections during treatment with MAVENCLAD. Blood tests are needed before you start treatment with MAVENCLAD, during your treatment with MAVENCLAD, and afterward, as needed.
  • serious infections such as:
    • life-threatening or fatal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi.
    • TB, hepatitis B or C, and shingles (herpes zoster). Fatal cases of TB and hepatitis have happened with cladribine during clinical studies. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any symptoms of the following infection related problems or if any of the symptoms get worse, including fever, aching painful muscles, headache, feeling of being generally unwell, loss of appetite, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area, skin blotches, blistered rash, or severe pain.
    • progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability. Although PML has not been seen in MS patients taking MAVENCLAD, it may happen in people with weakened immune systems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening neurologic signs or symptoms. These may include: weakness on 1 side of your body, loss of coordination in your arms and legs, decreased strength, problems with balance, changes in your vision, changes in your thinking or memory, confusion, or changes in your personality.
  • liver problems. Symptoms of liver problems may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. Your doctor will perform blood tests to check your liver during treatment.
  • allergic reactions (hypersensitivities). You should stop treatment and seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of allergic reactions occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, swelling or itching of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing.
  • heart failure. MAVENCLAD may cause heart failure, which means your heart may not pump as well as it should. Call your healthcare provider or go to the closest emergency room for medical help right away if you have any signs or symptoms such as shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or unusual swelling in your body.

The most common side effects of MAVENCLAD include: upper respiratory infection, headache, and low white blood cell counts.

These are not all the possible side effects of MAVENCLAD. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact EMD Serono at: 1-800-283-8088 ext. 5563 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including serious side effects.

US-MAV-01395
Last update 04/2025

Copyright ©2025 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
EMD Serono is the Healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada.
MAVENCLAD and MS LifeLines are registered trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates.
EMD Serono, Inc., 200 Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210
This website is intended only for residents of the United States.
Use and access of this site are subject to the terms and conditions set out in our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

QUESTIONS?

COOKIE SETTINGS