Selma Blair is a paid spokesperson for EMD Serono, Inc.
For years Selma lived with troubling symptoms including drop foot—a condition that makes it difficult to lift the front of the foot while walking—along with tics and frequent periods of feeling unwell. These episodes disrupted her daily life. Living with these symptoms for years without a diagnosis, she felt dismissed by her doctors. When she finally received her RMS diagnosis in 2018, she was relieved to have an explanation for these symptoms.
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that affects nearly one million Americans. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and body. Relapsing MS (RMS), the most common type, is marked by relapses—flare-ups of new or worsening symptoms—followed by periods of partial or complete recovery.
Selma’s relapses took a toll on her and motivated her to work with her doctors to find a treatment plan that was right for her.
Building a Partnership in Care
Like many people with RMS, Selma’s path was filled with ups and downs. She tried different therapies, including a non-traditional option that was physically demanding and required a long recovery. Some other treatments required frequent dosing or caused side effects Selma could not tolerate. While she held onto hope, she eventually relapsed.
This relapse was a turning point. Selma realized she needed to advocate for herself and take a more proactive role in managing her disease. When she looked for answers online, she came to understand that MS treatment is highly personal—what works for some people may not work for everyone— and that finding a provider who truly connects with you, listens to your needs, and supports your goals can make all the difference.
That realization led Selma to her current neurologist—and ultimately to a treatment approach that fit her needs.
“My doctor really listens and treats me as a person first, not just a patient,” Selma shared. “Having that open dialogue has made all the difference.” Together, they reviewed her health history, her experiences with prior therapies, and her treatment goals. After those discussions, they agreed it was time to try a different treatment approach.
Deciding on Treatment
Initially, Selma was cautious. Having faced previous treatment challenges, she wanted her next option to align with her treatment goals.
When she and her doctor reviewed her options, they decided on MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) tablets, indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS in adults. MAVENCLAD is not recommended for people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).
For Selma, the oral dosing schedule of MAVENCLAD stood out, with no more than 10 treatment days a year for two years. The number of pills taken per day depends on weight.
Before starting, Selma’s doctor explained that MAVENCLAD can cause serious side effects, including the risk of cancer, birth defects, low white blood cell counts, serious infections, and liver problems. Because of these risks, MAVENCLAD is generally prescribed for people, like Selma, who have tried another MS medicine that they could not tolerate or that has not worked well enough. Selma’s doctor also explained that she would be monitored before, during, and after treatment. Please see Important Safety Information, including serious side effects below.
By weighing the risks and benefits with her doctor, Selma felt informed and empowered in her choice. Since starting MAVENCLAD, her symptoms have been under control, and she has not experienced a relapse. Every RMS journey is different, which is why patients and their healthcare providers must closely partner together on any treatment decisions.
With her symptoms under control, Selma’s walking and speech have improved, though she sometimes experiences small glitches. Through physical therapy, she is working on her strength and balance.
This is Selma’s personal experience, and results may vary.
Speaking Up About RMS
For Selma, speaking openly about her journey has been both empowering and a source of relief. She knows how deeply MS can affect every aspect of life, and she believes that sharing her experiences can make a real difference.
That’s why she partnered with EMD Serono- to use her voice to share her experience with MAVENCLAD and encourage others to advocate for themselves when making treatment decisions with their doctors. To learn more, talk to your doctor and visit takeonrms.com for additional information.
What is MAVENCLAD®?
MAVENCLAD tablets 10 mg 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.
EMD Serono does not recommend or endorse any specific clinician or provider.
EMD Serono is the Healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada.
MAVENCLAD is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates.
US-MAV-03000 November 2025 Intended for US only
