Multiple sclerosis, or simply MS, is characterized by health professionals as a disease of the central nervous system. MS occurs when the patient’s immune system mistakenly attacks the spinal cord, specifically the myelin (or protective covering) of nerve fibers, leading to miscommunication between the brain and body. MS causes grave nerve damage as the disease progresses, which may cause patients to suffer from nerve pain, tingling, pins and needles, incoordination, and in severe cases, total loss of mobility.
While there is no cure for MS, these treatments may help delay progression of the disease, reduce painful symptoms, and extend the periods of remission:
- Ocrelizumab
MS patients with a diagnosed primary-progressive form of the disease are often prescribed the FDA-approved drug ocrelizumab, or Ocrevus, to slow overall disease progression.
- Corticosteroids
Oral and intravenously administered methylprednisolone and prednisone are often used to reduce MS symptoms (i.e., hypertension, mood swings, nerve inflammation and water retention).
- Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxant medications (i.e., tizanidine or baclofen) are often prescribed to reduce muscle spasms and stiffness in the extremities (i.e., legs).
- Disease-modifying drugs
Patients with relapsing-remitting MS are often responsive to drugs that aim to control the immune response while reducing MS relapse rate, such as:
- Mitoxantrone. This immunosuppressant drug can be harmful to the heart and is associated with development of blood cancers. As a result, its use in treating MS is extremely limited. Mitoxantrone is usually used only to treat severe, advanced MS.
- Natalizumab, marketed as Tysabri, is often the first MS line of treatment to block the work of damaging immune cells in the bloodstream. This drug may cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a type of viral infection in the brain, for some MS patients.
- Dimethyl fumarate, marketed as Tecfidera, is taken twice per day to reduce MS relapse.
- Fingolimod, marketed as Gilenya, is taken orally to lower the rate of relapse rate, however, it may cause side effects such as hypertension, blurry vision, headache, and lowered heart rate.
- Teriflunomide, marketed as Aubagio, should never be taken by MS patients who wish to get pregnant. While teriflunomide aims to reduce relapse, side effects may include fetal damage, hair loss, and liver damage.
- Glatiramer acetate, marketed as Copaxone, is administered subcutaneously to impede immuno attacks on myelin.
- Alemtuzumab, marketed as Lemtrada, is infused over a period of 5 days, and impedes damage from white blood cells.
- Beta interferons, are very common injections given to manage MS relapse frequency. They may lead to flu-like sickness.
- Physical therapy
Ongoing physical therapy may increase mobility while reducing symptoms of leg weakness, pain and stiffness. PT can also provide mobility aids (i.e., cane, walker) to help you stay mobile. - Plasma exchange therapy
Plasma exchange is a type of MS therapy for patients who are unresponsive to corticosteroids, Also known as plasmapheresis, this therapy aims to reduce symptoms by literally “exchanging” or separating plasma (liquid blood) and combining it with albumin (a protein solution), then infuses fresh blood back into the body.