Medications are the mainstay of treatment formultiple sclerosis (MS).
Others are used to manage resulting symptoms like pain, depression, and muscle stiffness.
Read on to discover the various forms of medications for MS and how they help people with the disease.
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If new lesions do develop, a doctor may switch to a new DMT.
The injections help change the course of active relapsing-remitting MS and secondary progressive MS. Tysabri and Tyruko are twoFDA approved medications containing natalizumab, and Tyruko is abiosimilarto Tysabri.
The medication works by tricking the immune cells into attacking it instead of the body’s myelin.
It is typically used to treat relapsing-remitting MS or CIS.
You will inject this medication yourself either once every day or once three days per week.
The most common side effects of glatiramer acetate are a rash or pain at the injection site.
Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada)
Alemtuzumabis not afirst-line therapy for MS. Alemtuzumab is given as an infusion, similar to glatiramer acetate.
However, the alemtuzumab infusion takes four hours.
The medication works by suppressing the action of the immune system cells that attack and damage myelin.
Typically, relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS are treated using mitoxantrone hydrochloride.
The medication is administered through anIV infusiononce every three months by a healthcare provider.
The infusion lasts roughly five to 15 minutes.
Ofatumumab (Kesimpta)
Ofatumumab is the newest treatment for MS.
It can be used to treat CIS, relapsing-remitting MS, and secondary progressive MS.
The first injection should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
After that, you will inject the medication yourself.
The medication is given as an infusion.
Each infusion will take between three and four hours.
Skin infections andherpesinfections have also been seen in people taking ocrelizumab.
Dextromethorphan + quinidine (Nuedexta) is a combinational therapy that helps to treat these episodes.
An even smaller number of people with MS experience an unrealistically happy and out-of-touch-with-reality feeling (euphoria).
They also can have abnormal sensations such as pins and needles or burning, stabbing, or tearing pains.
SSRIs block nerves from absorbing the neurotransmitter serotonin.
They are also useful for conditions like anxiety disorders and long-term pain.
Drugs in this class includeduloxetine (Cymbalta)and venlafaxine (Effexor).
To treat vertigo and dizziness in people with MS, the medication meclizine (Antivert) is used.
It is used to address dizziness, nausea, and vertigo in a variety of conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common medications used to treat MS are disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
These medications slow the progression of the disease, which can help make symptoms less frequent and less severe.
The therapies that are designed to treat specific symptoms of MS are supplemental treatment options.
Taking medication for MS is a personal decision.
Some people with the disease decide not to take medication.
The newest form of treatment for MS is a disease-modifying therapy known as ofatumumab.
The first-line treatment used for people with MS is injectable immunomodulators.
They are classified as disease-modifying therapies and help limit the damage the disease causes to the nerve cells.
This can help slow the progression of the disease.
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