Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Medications
Medications can shorten a sudden relapse and help you recover Strong evidence suggests that MS is caused by the Currently, interferon beta (Avonex and Rebif, and Betaseron), Currently, there is no effective disease-modifying treatment for Treating specific symptoms can be effective, even if it does not MS can affect many parts of the nervous system and produce a wide Medications used to treat symptoms of an attack of multiple Medications used specifically for relapsing-remitting MS to Medications used to treat and possibly delay the progression of No medicines have been clearly proven to help, and none have A variety of Several medicines are currently being tested in Long-term treatment with interferon beta and glatiramer acetate The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that treatment Despite the recommendation, however, some people find it Should I have disease-modifying therapy for If you decide not to try disease-modifying therapy at this time, The need and desire for medication vary. If your symptoms are You may also want to consider: Also keep in mind that it can be hard to tell whether
multiple sclerosis (MS) may be used:
relapse, to make the attack shorter and less
severe.
the disease (disease-modifying therapy).
symptoms as they occur.Controlling a relapse
more quickly. Temporary treatment with medications called
corticosteroids is the most common treatment used to
control a relapse. These medications have not been shown
to affect the long-term course of the disease or to prevent disability.Altering the course of MS using disease-modifying treatment
immune system causing
inflammation and attacking the myelin-the coating
surrounding the nerve and nerve fibers. Medications that change the activity of
the immune system can reduce the number and severity of attacks that damage the
protective myelin.
glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), and mitoxantrone (Novantrone) are the only
medications that have been approved for this purpose. For people with
relapsing-remitting MS, these medications can reduce
the number and severity of relapses and can result in fewer brain lesions. They
may also delay disability in some people. Betaseron and Novantrone may delay
disease progression in some people with
secondary progressive MS.
primary progressive MS.Relieving symptoms
stop the progression of the disease. Symptoms that can often be controlled or
relieved with medication include:
or help you sleep better may include amantadine (Symmetrel), modafinil
(Provigil), or fluoxetine (Prozac).
(spasticity) and tremors. Medications that may reduce muscles spasms or
stiffness include baclofen (Lioresal), tizanidine (Zanaflex), dantrolene
(Dantrium), gabapentin (Neurontin), diazepam (Valium), or clonazepam
(Klonopin). Sometimes a combination of these medications works best to reduce
your muscle symptoms.
Medications used to reduce frequent urination may include propantheline
(Pro-Banthine), oxybutynin (Ditropan), or tolterodine (Detrol). Medications
sometimes used to relieve constipation include bulk agents such as psyllium
(Metamucil) or daily use of laxatives.
abnormal sensations. Depending on the severity of the pain, both
prescription and nonprescription medications may be tried. Prescription
medications commonly used to reduce pain associated with MS include baclofen
(Lioresal), carbamazepine (Tegretol), or gabapentin (Neurontin).
Nonprescription medications may include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen
sodium.
reduce depression that often occurs as a result of having MS. Antidepressants
often tried include tricyclic antidepressants-such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
desipramine (Norpramin), or imipramine (Tofranil)-or selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)-such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft)
among others.
to relieve sexual difficulties that can be associated with MS include
sildenafil (Viagra) for both men and women. Yohimbine and clomipramine may also
be given to improve
erectile dysfunction.
range of symptoms. The choice of medications depends on your symptoms.
Medication may be used only some of the time or regularly, depending on how
severe or constant a particular symptom is. Changes in diet, schedule,
exercise, and other habits can also help manage some of these symptoms. See the
Home Treatment section of this topic.Medication Choices
Symptom management
sclerosis (MS) and help you recover more quickly from a relapse include:
).
hormone).
plasma exchange (neither is used frequently). MS
reduce the number and severity of relapses and possibly delay disability
include:
Betaseron).
(Copaxone).
that is rapidly getting worse. MS
secondary progressive MS that is also relapsing include:
Betaseron).Primary-progressive MS
been approved for primary-progressive MS. Some of the newer and experimental
medications, such as
immunosuppressants and
other medications and biological chemicals (derived
from or identical to substances produced by the body) are being tested for
primary-progressive MS.Medications being studied
immunosuppressants and
other medications and biological chemicals (derived
from or identical to substances produced by the body) have been tried as
therapy for MS. While none have been clearly proven beneficial and none have
been approved for treatment of MS, these medications may be used when standard
therapy fails.
clinical trials. People with MS who have not responded
to standard therapy sometimes choose to participate in these trials. To learn
more about clinical trials, talk to your doctor or contact the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org.What To Think About
can improve the quality of life for some people who have relapsing-remitting MS
by making relapses less frequent and less severe. Some evidence suggests that
these medications may also reduce or delay future disability caused by this
form of the disease.
with interferon beta or glatiramer acetate be started as soon as it is clear
that you have MS. Most
neurologists support this recommendation and now agree
that permanent damage to the
nervous system may occur early on, even while symptoms
are still quite mild. Early treatment may help prevent or delay some of this
damage. In general, treatment is recommended until it no longer provides a
clear benefit.
difficult to decide whether to begin disease-modifying therapy, especially when
their symptoms have been fairly mild. Some may not want to bear the risks and
flu-like side effects of interferon therapy when they are not sure they need
it. Some may want to see whether their disease worsens before starting therapy.
A small percentage of people diagnosed with MS may never have more than a few
mild episodes and may never develop any disability, but the disease is
unpredictable. For more information, see:
MS?
work with your doctor to monitor your health through regular checkups and
periodic MRI scans to evaluate whether the disease is progressing. If new
lesions are developing or existing lesions are growing, you may want to
reconsider your decision and begin treatment.Treating symptoms and relapses
mild, you may choose to manage them without any medication. If you have
specific symptoms that are causing problems, certain medications may help you
keep them under control. Or you may want to use medication only during a
relapse.
or other medications to treat symptoms or control a relapse. Some people have
only minor side effects, but others may have side effects that concern them
more than their MS symptoms.
controlling relapses. In some cases, using medication to control symptoms and
relapses may reduce the need for hospital stays.
issues that you face at work or at home.
medication is helping. Multiple sclerosis is a disease with spontaneous
remissions, which means that your condition can improve on its own, without any
treatment. Just because your symptoms improve after treatment does not mean
that a treatment is working.