Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatments

Find Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatments

There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease. Treatment for multiple sclerosis is focused on managing symptoms and slowing progression of the disease.

Types of Treatments

Treatments for managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include:

Plasmapheresis, also called plasma exchange, which separates plasma from blood cells, which is used to manage severe attacks

Medications used treat multiple sclerosis and slow disease progression may include:

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone, which reduce inflammation

Monoclonal Antibodies, such as alemtuzumab, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab, that help to prevent inflammation and nerve damage

Chemotherapy, such as cladribine, to prevent inflammation and nerve damage

Nrf2 activators, such as dimethyl fumarate and diroximel fumarate, to decrease inflammation and prevent nerve damage

Immunosuppressants, such as fingolimod, glatiramer acetate, siponimod, and teriflunomide, that target the body’s immune system, or the body’s natural defenses, to prevent attacks and slow progression of the disease

Other treatments

Other treatments to help slow the progression of multiple sclerosis may include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Muscle relaxants, such as baclofen, tizanidine, cyclobenzaprine, and botulin toxin A
  • Medications to reduce fatigue, such as amantadine, modfafinil, and methylphenidate
  • Medications to increase walking speed, such as dalfampridine
  • Other medications to help ease insomnia, pain, bladder or bowel control problems, or sexual dysfunction
  • Anti-seizure medications

Assistive devices

As the disease progresses, some individuals with multiple sclerosis may need the use of assistive devices, such as canes or crutches, or wheelchairs.

Lifestyle approaches and complementary medicine

Lifestyle approaches and complementary medicine that may help to improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:

  • A healthy, high fiber, low fat diet
  • Exercise, which may improve fatigue and walking ability
  • Stress reduction to avoid worsening of symptoms
  • Acupuncture, which may help to relieve pain and improve walking ability

Long-Term Follow Up

Ongoing, long-term follow-up is an essential part of treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis to help slow disease progression and monitor treatment effectiveness.

Sources

This content was written by the MediFind Medical Team. Last updated: 6/9/2022

Medications for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

These are drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they have been determined to be safe and effective for use in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Found 25 Approved Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MethylPREDNISolone

Brand Names
Solu-Medrol MethylPREDNISolone, Solu-Medrol, Medrol

MethylPREDNISolone

Brand Names
Solu-Medrol MethylPREDNISolone, Solu-Medrol, Medrol
Methylprednisolone tablets are indicated in the following conditions: Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Nonsuppurative thyroiditis Hypercalcemia associated with cancer Rheumatic Disorders As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy) Ankylosing spondylitis Acute and subacute bursitis Synovitis of osteoarthritis Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis Post-traumatic osteoarthritis Psoriatic arthritis EpicondylitisAcute gouty arthritis Collagen Diseases During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: Systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis) Acute rheumatic carditis Dermatologic Diseases Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) Severe seborrheic dermatitis Exfoliative dermatitis Mycosis fungoides Pemphigus Severe psoriasis Allergic States Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment: Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis Drug hypersensitivity reactions Serum sickness Contact dermatitis Bronchial asthma Atopic dermatitis Ophthalmic Diseases Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: Allergic corneal marginal ulcers Herpes zoster ophthalmicus Anterior segment inflammation Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis Sympathetic ophthalmia Keratitis Optic neuritis Allergic conjunctivitis Chorioretinitis Iritis and iridocyclitis Respiratory Diseases Symptomatic sarcoidosis Berylliosis Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy Aspiration pneumonitis Hematologic Disorders Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia Erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia) Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia Neoplastic Diseases For palliative management of: Leukemias and lymphomas in adults Acute leukemia of childhood Edematous States To induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus. Gastrointestinal Diseases To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in: Ulcerative colitis Regional enteritis Nervous System Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis Miscellaneous Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy. Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement.

Beta-1A

Brand Names
Rebif, Rebif REBIDOSE, Avonex

Beta-1A

Brand Names
Rebif, Rebif REBIDOSE, Avonex
AVONEX is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. AVONEX is for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. ( 1 )

Natalizumab

Brand Names
Tyruko, Tysabri

Natalizumab

Brand Names
Tyruko, Tysabri
TYSABRI is an integrin receptor antagonist indicated for treatment of: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) TYSABRI is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. TYSABRI increases the risk of PML [See Warnings and Precautions.

Glatiramer Acetate

Brand Names
Glatopa, Copaxone

Glatiramer Acetate

Brand Names
Glatopa, Copaxone
COPAXONE is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. COPAXONE is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults ( 1 ).

Fingolimod

Brand Names
Tascenso Odt, Gilenya

Fingolimod

Brand Names
Tascenso Odt, Gilenya
Fingolimod capsules are indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in patients 10 years of age and older. Fingolimod is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in patients 10 years of age and older.
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