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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling neurological disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), specifically the myelin (protective sheath) that covers nerve fibers. MS symptoms generally first occur between the ages of 20 and 40. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an estimated 1 million people are living with MS in the United States.
The disease affects different people differently. Some people with MS have a very mild version of the disease and virtually no disability, while others have a progressively worsening disease course with an increased disability over time. Multiple sclerosis is a relapsing-remitting disease, meaning most people have short symptomatic periods followed by periods when the disease is inactive or dormant. MS affects women more than men. It is rarely fatal and most patients with multiple sclerosis have a normal life expectancy. Medications can help reduce long-term disability. However, there are no cures or effective ways to prevent MS from developing.
Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. These medications work by suppressing or modulating the inflammatory and immune reactions in the body. They are most effective in the early stages of MS.
Beta interferons (Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron, Extavia, Plegridy, Copaxone, Glatopa) help to reduce the body’s inflammatory and immune reaction. In some individuals, these medications become less effective after 18-24 months of treatment, in which case it may be necessary to switch to alternative drugs.
Other MS medications include dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), teriflunomide (Aubagio), cladribine (Mavenclad), fingolimod (Gilenya), diroximel fumarate (Vumerity), and siponimod tablets (Mayzent). Some of them work by targeting the immune cells that drive the immune attacks in multiple sclerosis. They are considered in patients who have not responded well to first-line treatments with beta interferons.
Infusion treatments (Novantrone, Tysabri, Lemtrada, Ocrevus) are administered intravenously once a month, once in three months, or once in six months. These drugs target the immune cells that play a role in the formation of multiple sclerosis lesions. Treatment with infusion agents is generally reserved for MS patients who have not responded to or are unable to tolerate first-line therapies like interferon beta.
Intravenous steroids are sometimes used for 3-5 days to quickly and effectively suppress the immune system and hasten recovery from an MS attack. However, they do not alter the long-term course of the disease.
Doctors also use a variety of medications for symptom control in MS patients. For example, fatigue, muscle stiffness, bladder control, and depression can be treated with appropriate medications.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
Medications used to treat multiple sclerosis are prescription drugs that can have serious side effects. They should, therefore, be used exactly as prescribed by a physician. Some OTC supplements such as gamolenic acid, primrose oil, and starflower oil are believed to help with multiple sclerosis symptoms; however, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Studies have shown that MS patients tend to be high users of non-prescription OTC formulations. It is worth remembering that excess intake of certain supplements and vitamins can lead to toxicity and potential worsening of MS symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, always speak to your healthcare providers before taking any over-the-counter dietary supplement.
Common Side Effects of Multiple Sclerosis Medications
Potential side effects of beta interferons include flu-like symptoms that usually fade with continued treatment. The medications can also cause depression and an elevation in liver enzymes.
Side effects of infusion treatments for multiple sclerosis include infusion-related reactions, increased risk of infections, increased risk of cancers, increased risk of autoimmune disorders, and heart damage.
Dimethyl fumarate can cause flushing, nausea, diarrhea, and reduced white blood cell count as side effects.
Fingolimod can lead to a slowing of the heart rate, eye problems, and increased risk of viral infections like herpes.
Side effects of cladribine include an increased risk of cancer. The drug is, therefore, considered in MS patients who have not responded to other treatments.
Teriflunomide can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, and liver damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes multiple sclerosis?
Research indicates that a combination of genetic and environmental factors causes multiple sclerosis. While MS is not an inherited condition itself, the risk may be inherited. Many people with MS have one or more family members who also have MS. Also, certain viruses like EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) which causes mononucleosis is linked to the development of multiple sclerosis. Smokers are at higher risk of developing MS and having a more aggressive disease course. On the other hand, spending time in sunlight and having a comparatively higher vitamin D level are believed to be protective factors.
What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Common symptoms of MS include vision problems (double vision, blurred vision), muscle weakness, fatigue, clumsiness, problems with bladder control, mood changes, and problems concentrating and multitasking. The disease course can vary greatly from person to person and multiple sclerosis can look very different from person to person.
Can I get a discount on multiple sclerosis medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including MS drugs—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS
2. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/MS-Prevalence
3. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Multiple-Sclerosis-Hope-Through-Research
Common Multiple Sclerosis Health Medications
Multiple Sclerosis
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter multiple sclerosis drugs.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling neurological disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), specifically the myelin (protective sheath) that covers nerve fibers. MS symptoms generally first occur between the ages of 20 and 40. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an estimated 1 million people are living with MS in the United States.
The disease affects different people differently. Some people with MS have a very mild version of the disease and virtually no disability, while others have a progressively worsening disease course with an increased disability over time. Multiple sclerosis is a relapsing-remitting disease, meaning most people have short symptomatic periods followed by periods when the disease is inactive or dormant. MS affects women more than men. It is rarely fatal and most patients with multiple sclerosis have a normal life expectancy. Medications can help reduce long-term disability. However, there are no cures or effective ways to prevent MS from developing.
Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. These medications work by suppressing or modulating the inflammatory and immune reactions in the body. They are most effective in the early stages of MS.
Beta interferons (Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron, Extavia, Plegridy, Copaxone, Glatopa) help to reduce the body’s inflammatory and immune reaction. In some individuals, these medications become less effective after 18-24 months of treatment, in which case it may be necessary to switch to alternative drugs.
Other MS medications include dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), teriflunomide (Aubagio), cladribine (Mavenclad), fingolimod (Gilenya), diroximel fumarate (Vumerity), and siponimod tablets (Mayzent). Some of them work by targeting the immune cells that drive the immune attacks in multiple sclerosis. They are considered in patients who have not responded well to first-line treatments with beta interferons.
Infusion treatments (Novantrone, Tysabri, Lemtrada, Ocrevus) are administered intravenously once a month, once in three months, or once in six months. These drugs target the immune cells that play a role in the formation of multiple sclerosis lesions. Treatment with infusion agents is generally reserved for MS patients who have not responded to or are unable to tolerate first-line therapies like interferon beta.
Intravenous steroids are sometimes used for 3-5 days to quickly and effectively suppress the immune system and hasten recovery from an MS attack. However, they do not alter the long-term course of the disease.
Doctors also use a variety of medications for symptom control in MS patients. For example, fatigue, muscle stiffness, bladder control, and depression can be treated with appropriate medications.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
Medications used to treat multiple sclerosis are prescription drugs that can have serious side effects. They should, therefore, be used exactly as prescribed by a physician. Some OTC supplements such as gamolenic acid, primrose oil, and starflower oil are believed to help with multiple sclerosis symptoms; however, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Studies have shown that MS patients tend to be high users of non-prescription OTC formulations. It is worth remembering that excess intake of certain supplements and vitamins can lead to toxicity and potential worsening of MS symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, always speak to your healthcare providers before taking any over-the-counter dietary supplement.
Common Side Effects of Multiple Sclerosis Medications
Potential side effects of beta interferons include flu-like symptoms that usually fade with continued treatment. The medications can also cause depression and an elevation in liver enzymes.
Side effects of infusion treatments for multiple sclerosis include infusion-related reactions, increased risk of infections, increased risk of cancers, increased risk of autoimmune disorders, and heart damage.
Dimethyl fumarate can cause flushing, nausea, diarrhea, and reduced white blood cell count as side effects.
Fingolimod can lead to a slowing of the heart rate, eye problems, and increased risk of viral infections like herpes.
Side effects of cladribine include an increased risk of cancer. The drug is, therefore, considered in MS patients who have not responded to other treatments.
Teriflunomide can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, and liver damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes multiple sclerosis?
Research indicates that a combination of genetic and environmental factors causes multiple sclerosis. While MS is not an inherited condition itself, the risk may be inherited. Many people with MS have one or more family members who also have MS. Also, certain viruses like EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) which causes mononucleosis is linked to the development of multiple sclerosis. Smokers are at higher risk of developing MS and having a more aggressive disease course. On the other hand, spending time in sunlight and having a comparatively higher vitamin D level are believed to be protective factors.
What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Common symptoms of MS include vision problems (double vision, blurred vision), muscle weakness, fatigue, clumsiness, problems with bladder control, mood changes, and problems concentrating and multitasking. The disease course can vary greatly from person to person and multiple sclerosis can look very different from person to person.
Can I get a discount on multiple sclerosis medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including MS drugs—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS
2. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/MS-Prevalence
3. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Multiple-Sclerosis-Hope-Through-Research
Common Multiple Sclerosis Health Medications
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