Key takeaways
Mayzent (siponimod) and Gilenya (fingolimod) are both oral medications used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). They belong to the same drug class, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators, but have some differences. Mayzent is only available as a brand-name medication, while Gilenya has a generic form. Mayzent requires genetic testing before starting treatment to determine the appropriate dose, whereas Gilenya does not. Both medications can cause serious side effects, including infections and heart problems, but Mayzent might have fewer side effects because it works on fewer types of S1P receptors. Additionally, Mayzent is not recommended during pregnancy and requires birth control for at least 10 days after stopping, while Gilenya requires birth control for at least 2 months after stopping. Both medications are not considered safe for breastfeeding.
