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MS Treatments
A number of drugs have been shown to slow the progression of MS in some people. These are called the disease modifying drugs.
They include:
- Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
- Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
- Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)
- Extavia (interferon beta-1b)
- Glatopa (glatiramer acetate)
- Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a)
- Rebif (interferon beta-1a)
- Aubagio (teriflunomide)
- Gilenya (fingolimod)
- Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)
- Lemtrada (alemtuzumab)
- Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
- Tysabri (natalizumab) TYSABRI increases your chance of getting a rare brain infection that usually causes death or severe disability. This infection is called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
How Do These Drugs Work?
All of these drugs work by suppressing, or altering, the activity of the body's immune system. Thus, these therapies are based on the theory that MS is, at least in part, a result of an abnormal response of the body's immune system that causes it to attack the myelin surrounding nerves.
Do the Drugs Cure MS?
These medications do not cure MS, but they do reduce the frequency and severity of attacks and the development of new brain lesions. In addition, they slow down the progression of MS, reducing future disability.
These drugs can improve the quality of life for many people with MS. Therefore, most doctors suggest that treatment with one of these drugs be started in most people as soon as a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS has been made.
Is Drug Therapy Right for Me?
The decision concerning whether or when to begin treatment with one of these medications is best made by you and your doctor. Factors that should be considered include potential side effects, benefits, frequency, method of medication delivery, and your personal concerns, priorities and lifestyle.
The most important goal is to find a treatment you can use comfortably and consistently. Each pharmaceutical company offers customer support and may also provide some financial assistance for qualifying individuals without prescription drug coverage.
Here's what you need to know about the most commonly used MS drugs.
Injectable Medications
| Avonex (interferon beta-1a) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Intra muscular (into the muscle) injection | |
| Frequency of use: Weekly | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, heart problems including heart failure, blood problems, infections, thyroid problems. | |
| Support Program: MS Active Source 1-800-456-2255 | |
| Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection | |
| Frequency of use: Every other day | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, low white blood cell count, increases liver enzymes, pain, rash, problem sleeping, stomach pain, weakness. | |
| Support Program: MS Pathways 1-800-788-1467 | |
| Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection | |
| Frequency of use: Daily or 3 times per week | |
| Common side effects: Possible reaction at the injection site, flushing, chest tightness, pain, heart palpitations, anxiety, trouble breathing. | |
| Support Program: Shared Solutions 1-800-887-8100 | |
| Extavia (interferon beta-1b) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection | |
| Frequency of use: Every other day | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, low white blood cell count, increases liver enzymes, pain, rash, problem sleeping, stomach pain, weakness. | |
| Support Program: Extavia Go Program 1-866-925-2333 | |
| Glatopa (glatiramer acetate) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection | |
| Frequency of use: Daily, or 3 times per week | |
| Common side effects: Possible reaction at the injection site, flushing, chest tightness, pain, heart palpitations, anxiety, trouble breathing. | |
| Support Program: Support Program 1-855-452-8672 | |
| Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection | |
| Frequency of use: Once every 2 weeks | |
| Common side effects: Possible reaction at the injection site, headache, muscle & joint aches, fever, chills, heart problems, decreases white blood cells. | |
| Support Program: Above MS 1-800-456-2255 | |
| Rebif (interferon beta-1a) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection | |
| Frequency of use: Three times per week | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, suicidal thoughts, liver problems, diarrhea, blood problems, seizures, stomach pain. | |
| Support Program: MS LifeLines 1-877-447-3243 | |
Oral Medications
| Aubagio (teriflunomide) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Oral - by capsule | |
| Frequency of use: Once daily | |
| Common side effects: Possible reaction at the injection site, headache, diarrhea, nausia, hair thinning or loss, liver problems, may harm unborn baby. | |
| Support Program: MS One to One 1-855-676-6326 | |
| Gilenya (fingolimod) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. | |
| How administered: Oral - by capsule | |
| Frequency of use: Once daily | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, headache, liver problems, diarrhea, cough, sinusitis, back pain, abdominal pain, may harm unborn baby. | |
| Support Program: Gilenya GO 1-800-445-3692 | |
| Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. Shown to cut relapses in half. | |
| How administered: Oral - by capsule | |
| Frequency of use: One pill twice a day | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, flushing, stomach problems, low white blood cell count, may harm unborn baby. | |
| Support Program: Above MS 1-800-456-2255 | |
Infused Medications
| Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. Generally used by people who have tried 2 or more MS medications. | |
| How administered: Intravenous infusion (by vein) | |
| Frequency of use: First course: 5 straight days - Second course: 3 straight days 12 months after first course. | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, rash, headache, thyroid problems, fever, swelling of nose and throat, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting. | |
| Support Program: MS One2One 1-855-676-6326 | |
| Novantrone (mitoxantrone) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. Suppresses immune system to lessen attacks. | |
| How administered: Intravenous infusion (by vein) | |
| Frequency of use: Once every three months | |
| Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, stomach pain, diarrhea, pain urinating, rapid heartbeat. | |
| Support Program: None at this time | |
| Tysabri (natalizumab) | |
| Use: Treatment of relapsing-remitting MS - delay the progression of physical disability. Decreases flareups. | |
| How administered: Intravenous infusion (by vein) | |
| Frequency of use: Once every four weeks | |
Common side effects: Mild flu-like symptoms, Liver damage, allergic reactions, diarrhea, rash. See warning above. |
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| Support Program: Above MS 1-800-456-2255 | |