Drugs used to treat MS

In case of mild and rare attacks, the best strategy recommended by the doctor in the wait-and –see one, under close observation and proper counseling .If your MS for is a relapsing one, disease modifying medication must be taken immediately, in case you are not pregnant.

• -Glatiromer (Copaxone) acts by the blockage f the immune system aggression on myelin. This substance should be injected every day, subcutaneously. It represents an alternative to beta-interferon and it may have as side effects difficulties to breathe and flushing once the substance in injected.
• -Beta-interferon class represents copies obtained by means of genetic engineering of some kinds of proteins inside the body. Both Betaseron (Interferon-beta 1 b) and Interferon-beta 1 a (Avonex, Rebif) determine the retreat of viral infections and regulate the immune system's activity. Betaseron treatment includes one injection once in two days. The use of Rebif imposes three subcutaneous injections I a week. Avonex is used one time in a week and it implies an intramuscular injection. Beta-interferon reduce the relapses, but the long term effects and how do they modify the disease's course are still being studied. They shouldn't be used simultaneously.

Beta-interferon treatment doesn't fit persons that have already lost their capacity to walk. There are cases in which some persons develop immunity to beta-interferon or they can't put up with their side effects that are similar to the symptoms of flu.

• -Other medications may also be used. Mitoxantrone (Novatrone) was approved by the FDA and proved its efficiency both on some types of cancer and aggressive relapsing-remitted forms of MS. But its side effects include heart damage, so it shouldn't be used for more than 2 years and it is reserved to people that cannot be treated by other medications. Another chemotherapy drug, Cytoxan, may also serve this purpose.

Symptom relievers for progressive MS:

• -Medications that diminish tiredness; such medicines are represented by antidepressants, by amantadine (Symmetrol), which is an antiviral drug ,or by a medicine used for narcolepsy, modafine (Provigil). What these medications have in common is their stimulant effect that helps MS.
• -Muscle relaxants, such as Baclofen and Zanaflex that treat spasticity. MS generates spasms and muscular rigidity, mostly in the legs. Zanaflex is preferable to Baclofen (that increases weakness of the legs), because it keeps muscular spasms under control without causing weakness; still, it causes drowsiness or a dry mouth.
• -Corticosteroids are the most frequent recommendations of the doctors, either in oral or injectable form. They reduce inflammation and diminish the duration of relapses. As side effects, they may generate osteoporosis or hypertension, in case of long term use.
• - Other medications include drugs for arthritis and immunosuppressant medicines. They are used for the particular purpose of reducing the rigidity of the muscles, depression and pain and for controlling the MS associated problems of the bladder.

These treatments may also help:

• -Counseling. Any kind of therapy based on counseling may diminish the emotional problems related to MS and help you to deal with your disease more easily. Counseling should also help your family members or your caregivers.
• -Physical and occupational therapy, based on the collaboration of your physician and your occupational therapist, will give you the appropriate set of strengthening exercise and also indications on how to use some devices that may give you more independence.
• -Plasma exchange consists in the removal of a quantity of your blood that will be next separated in plasma and blood cells. Then a substance-usually albumin-will be mixed with your blood cells and eventually your new blood will be given back to your body. This procedure may cause a diminishment of nerve destruction and it may help recovery.