what are the treatments for Ms?
Copyright of National Multiple Sclerosis Society Website For More information, please visit their website at: www.NationalMSSociety.org
Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.
Medications for Modifying the Disease Course
The following agents can reduce disease activity and disease progression for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses.
FDA-Approved Disease-Modifying Agents
Treating Exacerbations An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 hours and be separated from a previous exacerbation by at least 30 days. However, most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Exacerbations can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at home and at work. Severe exacerbations are most commonly treated with high-dose corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation.
Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.
Medications for Modifying the Disease Course
The following agents can reduce disease activity and disease progression for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses.
FDA-Approved Disease-Modifying Agents
- Aubagio (teriflunomide)
- Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
- Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
- Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)
- Extavia (interferon beta-1b)
- Gilenya (fingolimod)
- Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
- Rebif (interferon beta-1a)
- Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)
- Tysabri (natalizumab)
Treating Exacerbations An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 hours and be separated from a previous exacerbation by at least 30 days. However, most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Exacerbations can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at home and at work. Severe exacerbations are most commonly treated with high-dose corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation.
treatment updates
FDA Approves New Dose of Copaxone To Be Taken Less Frequently Jan 30, 2014
On January 28, the FDA approved a new dose of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone,® Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd.) injected under the skin three times per week, at double the standard 20mg/mL dose, for relapsing MS. This long-approved MS disease-modifying therapy is normally taken every day. The approval was based on benefits and safety demonstrated by a company-sponsored, one-year, phase III trial comparing the higher, less-frequent dose of Copaxone with placebo.
FDA Investigating Case of PML in Person Receiving Gilenya Aug 29, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a case of PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability) that occurred in a person taking Gilenya® (fingolimod, Novartis AG). This person had not previously received Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals); read more about the increased risk of PML in people taking Tysabri here, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=2308). It is not yet known what caused the occurrence of PML in this case.
FDA Approves Twice a Day Capsules Called Tecfidera™ (formerly called BG-12) for Relapsing MS Mar 27, 2013
The FDA has approved Tecfidera™ capsules (dimethyl fumarate, Biogen Idec –formerly “BG-12”) as a first-line disease-modifying therapy for people with relapsing forms of MS. This makes the third oral therapy approved for relapsing MS, and the tenth disease-modifying treatment available in the U.S. Tecfidera is expected to be available by prescription within a few days.
more treatment updates
On January 28, the FDA approved a new dose of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone,® Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd.) injected under the skin three times per week, at double the standard 20mg/mL dose, for relapsing MS. This long-approved MS disease-modifying therapy is normally taken every day. The approval was based on benefits and safety demonstrated by a company-sponsored, one-year, phase III trial comparing the higher, less-frequent dose of Copaxone with placebo.
FDA Investigating Case of PML in Person Receiving Gilenya Aug 29, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a case of PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability) that occurred in a person taking Gilenya® (fingolimod, Novartis AG). This person had not previously received Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals); read more about the increased risk of PML in people taking Tysabri here, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=2308). It is not yet known what caused the occurrence of PML in this case.
FDA Approves Twice a Day Capsules Called Tecfidera™ (formerly called BG-12) for Relapsing MS Mar 27, 2013
The FDA has approved Tecfidera™ capsules (dimethyl fumarate, Biogen Idec –formerly “BG-12”) as a first-line disease-modifying therapy for people with relapsing forms of MS. This makes the third oral therapy approved for relapsing MS, and the tenth disease-modifying treatment available in the U.S. Tecfidera is expected to be available by prescription within a few days.
more treatment updates
