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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThere is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatment typically focuses on combating the autoimmune response and managing the symptoms. Some people have such mild symptoms that no treatment is necessary.
Medications
Drugs that are commonly used for multiple sclerosis include:
- Corticosteroids. The most common treatment for multiple sclerosis, corticosteroids reduce the inflammation that spikes during a relapse. Examples include oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone.
- Interferons. These types of drugs — such as Betaseron, Avonex and Rebif — appear to slow the rate at which multiple sclerosis symptoms worsen over time. But interferons can cause serious liver damage.
- Glatiramer (Copaxone). Doctors believe that glatiramer works by blocking your immune system's attack on myelin. You must inject this drug subcutaneously once daily. Side effects may include flushing and shortness of breath after injection.
- Natalizumab (Tysabri). This drug is designed to work by interfering with the movement of potentially damaging immune cells from your bloodstream to your brain and spinal cord. Tysabri is generally reserved for people who see no results from or can't tolerate other types of treatments. This is because Tysabri increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy — a brain infection that is usually fatal.
- Mitoxantrone (Novantrone). This immunosuppressant drug can be harmful to the heart, so it's usually used only in people who have advanced multiple sclerosis.
Therapies
A physical or occupational therapist can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises, and show you how to use devices that can make it easier to perform daily tasks.
Procedures
Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) looks a little like dialysis as it mechanically separates your blood cells from your plasma, the liquid part of your blood. Plasma exchange is sometimes used to help combat severe symptoms of multiple sclerosis relapses, especially in people who are not responding to intravenous steroids.
- Multiple sclerosis: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.htm. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Olek MJ. Epidemiology, risk factors and clinical features of multiple sclerosis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Noseworthy JH, et al. Multiple sclerosis. In: Goetz CG, et al. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/106141078-3/0/1488/405.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3618-0..10048-7--s0030_4069. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Olek MJ. Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Olek MJ. Treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Fatigue. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/fatigue/index.aspx. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Exercise. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/healthy-living/exercise/index.aspx. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- You can ... beat the heat. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/you-can/beat-the-heat/index.aspx. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- You can ... maintain good nutrition. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/you-can/maintain-good-nutrition/index.aspx. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Weinshenker BG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 3, 2008.
