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Clinical trials for myasthenia gravis treatment.

Many new medications are being researched to treat myasthenia gravis, including the disease modifying drugs. Disease modifying means that a medication treats the condition itself, not just the symptoms.

Clinical trials are research studies that test how safe a drug is, how well it works, what the right dose is, and what the side effects are. All new prescription medication is carefully studied. They are overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA reviews the study results. If the FDA approves the medication to treat a certain condition, it becomes available for doctors to prescribe and for you to use.

Clinical trials are designed to help doctors and scientists learn:

  • How well the study drug works compared to the standard treatment. Some people get the study drug while others get the standard medication. They usually don’t know which one they get.
  • How well the study drug works compared to a placebo. A placebo looks like the study drug, but it is not a medication. Some people get the study drug while others get the placebo. They usually don’t know which one they get.
  • If the study drug that is already approved for one condition can possibly treat a different condition.

You may benefit from joining a clinical study by:

  • Having access to a drug to treat your condition before it is ready for the public.
  • Giving you another chance to find a treatment that may work for you if the ones you tried so far didn’t work or you couldn’t tolerate them.
  • Helping others who have or may get the same condition.

Clinical trials have very strict rules that doctors and scientists must follow. If you join a study, they have to tell you exactly what the study is about, how it may help you, what the possible risks and side effects are, and what your responsibilities will be. A clinical trial is always voluntary, and you can change your mind any time.

If you are thinking about joining a clinical trial, learn as much as you can about the study first. Here are some important questions to ask:

  1. What is the purpose of the study?
  2. What kinds of tests and treatments will I get?
  3. What do I benefit from the study?
  4. What are the possible risks for me?
  5. How could the clinical trial affect my daily life?
  6. What side effects can I expect from the study? (Remember, there can be side effects from the standard treatments, too)
  7. How long will the clinical trial last?
  8. How will my treatment change if I decide to drop out of the trial?

There are many studies going on for myasthenia gravis. Visit clinicaltrials.gov to learn about clinical trials near you. You can also ask your CVS Specialty® CareTeam to learn more.

CVS Specialty® and Coram® CVS Specialty Infusion Services (Coram) work together to dispense and administer Myasthenia Gravis’s therapy to patients. To learn more about how Coram is keeping you safe and healthy at home during infusion treatments, click here.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. CVS Specialty assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result.

CVS Specialty does not operate the websites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by CVS Specialty.