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Drug therapies

Drug therapy is now an established part of managing MS, and it is vital that specialist assessments are undertaken early in the disease course. Currently, there are three areas in which drug therapies are used:

Drugs to treat relapses

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 condition, they can be effective at speeding up recovery from relapse.

More information on the treatment of relapses

Drugs that modify the disease course (DMDs)

Three beta interferon products, Avonex, Betaferon and Rebif, may be prescribed for the treatment of relapsing/remitting MS and also for secondary progressive MS if relapses are still occurring.

Another disease-modifying drug, glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), also for relapsing/remitting MS, has similar effects to beta interferon, although it acts in a different way.

All these drugs reduce the number, duration and severity of relapses for many people, and may also slow the progression of disability. All are self-injected under the skin or into a muscle, once or several times a week, depending on which drug is prescribed.

More information on disease-modifying drugs

A new disease modifying drug, natalizumab (Tysabri), reduces the number of relapses by around two-thirds on average. However, it is only available in special circumstances because of safety concerns that arose from the clinical trials. As a result, Tysabri is only available if someone is experiencing very frequent relapses.

More information on Tysabri

Drugs to treat symptoms

Drugs are available to treat some specific symptoms of MS, although some symptoms are more responsive to treatment than others. Symptoms where drug therapies are often used include: bladder problems, spasms, spasticity and pain.

There is more information on treatments in the sections on specific symptoms in the A to Z of MS.

Our understanding of the best ways of managing MS is improving all the time and several potential new drug therapies are in development.

More information on drugs in development.