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A to Z of MS Drugs used in the treatment of MS

Please note that not all drugs will be appropriate for all people. Please consult with your neurologist or GP.

The drugs used to treat MS fall into three broad categories

Drugs to treat relapses

Corticosteroids (or steroids) are sometimes given for a few days, either in the form of tablets or by a drip into a vein. While there is no evidence that steroids make any difference to the long-term course of the disease, they can be effective at speeding up recovery from relapse.

Drugs which modify the disease course

Relapsing MS

There are three drugs called beta interferons and another disease modifying drug called glatiramer acetate, which can be prescribed for people with certain types of MS under the Department of Health's Risk-sharing Scheme.

Product names are shown in brackets.

  • beta interferon 1a (Avonex)
  • beta interferon 1a (Rebif)
  • beta interferon 1b (Betaferon)
  • glatiramer acetate (Copaxone)
  • natalizumab (Tysabri) - this drug is approved for people with rapidly evolving severe relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis but is not part of the Risk-sharing Scheme

MS Decisions is an independent website to help people considering starting treatment with one of the disease modifying drugs

Other drugs that have been used to modify the disease course in MS

Progressive MS

The disease modifying drugs currently available all work by reducing the relapse rate. As a result, they have only been found to be effective for people with relapsing/remitting MS and for some people with secondary progressive MS. The disease process in people with progressive MS is different and these drugs have not been found to be useful. As yet, no equivalent medication has been found for progressive MS, treatment of which is thus based on the management of symptoms.

Symptom management

The majority of treatment involves managing specific symptoms such as bladder problems or fatigue. Depending on the symptom, drug therapy might be part of the treatment along with input from therapists and/or the development of management strategies. There is more information on the full range of treatment options in the sections on specific symptoms.

The following list includes some of the more common drugs and the symptoms for which they can be used. Product names are shown in brackets.

Bladder problems

Depression

Erectile dysfunction

Fatigue

Pain

Spasticity

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