Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.
Modifying the Disease Course
The following agents can reduce disease activity and disease progression for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses.
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- Disease Management Consensus Statement (.pdf)
Recommendations and principles from the Society’s National Clinical Advisory Board for health care professionals and people with MS—to guide treatment with the disease-modifying drugs.
- The Disease-Modifying Drugs (.pdf)
A booklet describing the approved use, dosage and route of delivery, side effects, benefits, and available support programs.
- Patient Assistance Programs
A listing of the pharmaceutical company financial assistance programs to help manage the costs of the drugs.
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Treatment Locations
These clinical facilities have a formal affiliation with the National MS Society. The appropriate chapter clinical advisory committee, composed of MS experts, has reviewed and approved the affiliation.
Treating Exacerbations
An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 hours and be separated from a previous exacerbation by at least 30 days. However, most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Exacerbations can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at home and at work. Severe exacerbations are most commonly treated with high-dose corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation.
Managing Symptoms
Symptoms of MS are highly variable from person to person and from time to time in the same individual. While symptoms can range from mild to severe, most can be successfully managed with strategies that include medication, self-care techniques, rehabilitation (with a physical or occupation therapist, speech/language pathologist, cognitive remediation specialist, among others), and the use of assistive devices.
Promoting Function through Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation programs focus on function—they are designed to help you improve or maintain your ability to perform effectively and safely at home and at work. Rehabilitation professionals focus on overall fitness and energy management, while addressing problems with accessibility and mobility, speech and swallowing, and memory and other cognitive functions.
Rehabilitation is an important component of comprehensive, quality health care for people with MS, at all stages of the disease. Rehabilitation programs include:
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Therapy for Speech and Swallowing Problems
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Vocational Rehabilitation
The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
CAM includes everything from exercise and diet to food supplements, stress management strategies, and lifestyle changes. These therapies come from various disciplines and traditions—yoga, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, traditional herbal healing, Chinese medicine, macrobiotics, naturopathy, and many others. They are referred to as complementary when they are used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and alternative when they are used instead of conventional treatments.
Treatment Updates
Update on Tysabri and PML
Jun 30, 2009
According to Biogen Idec, a tenth confirmed case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML, a viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability) has occurred among people who have used Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals) after it became available for prescription in July 2006. The case, reported by the company on June 26, 2009, occurred in a person in Europe who had been taking Tysabri for 30 months. The reported duration of use among these ten people has ranged from about 12 to 35 months.
FDA Extends Copaxone Labeling To Include Those Experiencing First Attack and Having MRI Scan Suggestive Of MS
Mar 05, 2009
According to the drug’s sponsor, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the labeling of Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries) to include people with MS who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with MS. The FDA based its decision on the findings of the “PreCISe” study, funded by Teva.
Tysabri Update: New Published Papers Explore its Benefits, and New Case of PML Reported
Feb 10, 2009
Two newly published papers explore aspects of how Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec, Inc and Elan Pharmaceuticals) impacts relapsing multiple sclerosis. In addition, a fifth case of PML was reported among people prescribed Tysabri.
UPDATE: As of June 26, 2009, 10 cases of PML have been reported since the drug was made commercially available.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Launching New Needle for Betaseron
Sep 24, 2008
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. will be launching a new 30-gauge needle (the same size used for insulin and pediatric injections) and new optional autoinjector (BETAJECT® LITE) at the end of October. The new autoinjector will replace all previous autoinjectors; use of any autoinjector other than this latest version may result in people not receiving their full dose of medication. People who are currently taking Betaseron can log onto www.betaseron.com/thinner or call BETAPLUS at 1-800-788-1467 for more information about the new needle and to request the new autoinjector.
New Recommendations from the FDA Concerning the Monitoring of Cardiac Function in People Taking Mitoxantrone
Aug 11, 2008
In July 2008, the FDA issued new recommendations for cardiac monitoring of people taking mitoxantrone (marketed as Novantrone® by EMD Serono and also available in generic form). In addition to the earlier recommendation that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) be evaluated before initiating treatment and prior to the administration of each dose, the FDA further recommends that all patients with MS who have completed treatment with mitoxantrone receive yearly quantitative LVEF evaluations to detect late-occurring cardiac toxicity.