Chemotherapy for MS Treatment

Your nerves are covered in a protective sheath known as myelin. When you develop multiple sclerosis, your myelin becomes destroyed, according to the Mayo Clinic. As the nerves begin to deteriorate, you succumb to debilitating complications that can't be cured. However, there are forms of treatments, including chemotherapy, that can alleviate symptoms from the disease.

Conventional MS Treatments

• Chemo is a last resort.

  Your physician will initially try to treat you with medications such as corticosteroids in order to help with symptoms produced by MS. Chemo should only be considered as a last resort for treatment.

Mitoxantrone

• Mitoxantrone is FDA approved.

  The FDA approved the use of mitoxantrone as a form of treatment in patients who are in the advanced stages of MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Betaseron

• Betaseron may also be an option.

  Betaseron is another form of chemo that can be used by itself, or in conjunction with mitoxantrone.

Other Chemotherapeutic Medications

• Several other chemotherapeutics exist.

  There are various other forms of chemotherapeutics that include azathioprine, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine and methotrexate. These forms of chemotherapeutic medications are used to treat certain forms of cancer such as hairy cell leukemia, but have since proven to help in treating symptoms of MS, such as muscle stiffness and weakening of your limbs.

Side Effects

• Taking chemo medications can result in undesirable side effects that can include hair loss, nausea, anemia, the development of cancer and the development of infections.

Uses

• Chemo can help combat the advancement of MS.

  Chemo medications are used to help slow down the progression of MS. Depending on the advancement of your disease, your physician will determine which chemotherapeutic medication are more suitable for your treatment.