MS Treatments Comparison

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive and potentially debilitating neurological disease. It is an autoimmune disease, that is, a disease where the body attacks itself. Multiple sclerosis is most often treated with a variety of drugs and physical therapy.

Corticosteroids

• Corticosteroids are used most often in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. These drugs alleviate the inflammation that occurs when a patient is experiencing a multiple sclerosis relapse. The various types of prednisone are most commonly used and can be administered orally or through the veins.

Interferons

• Interferons are also commonly used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. These drugs, which help slow the progression of the disease, are most often administered as an intramuscular (into the muscle) injection. These drugs, including Avonex, Betaseron and Rebif, can lead to serious liver damage over time.

Glatiramer

• Glatiramer is a type of drug that is believed to block the body's immune system's ability to attack the myelin (the protective covering of the nerves). Injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) once a day, this drug can cause shortness of breath and flushing.

Natalizumab

• Natalizumab, also called Tysabri, interferes with and slows down the movement of potentially damaging immune cells that move from the bloodstream to the spinal cord and brain. Similar in action to interferons, this drug is most commonly used on patients who are not getting results from other drug therapies or who cannot tolerate other treatments. Natalizumab increases the risk of developing a brain infection that most often leads to death.

Immunosuppressants

• Immunosuppressants, such as Mitoxantrone, suppress the patient's immune system and thus slow down the progression of the disease. Doctors most often prescribe these drugs to patients with advanced multiple sclerosis because they can harm the heart.

Plasmapheresis

• Plasmapheresis is a type of multiple sclerosis treatment used for severe forms of the disease and for those not experiencing results with injected corticosteroids. The purpose of plasmapheresis is to remove the antibodies associated with multiple sclerosis from the patient's bloodstream in hopes of reducing symptoms and preventing relapses. Plasmapheresis has shown promise in the treatment of some autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome; its effectiveness in treating multiple sclerosis has not been well established.

Therapies

• Occupational and physical therapies help to keep patients mobile and can help them to deal with their pain. Patients develop a regular exercise routine and learn how to perform their everyday tasks such as laundry, running errands and working.