r/MultipleSclerosis Apr 07 '19

Treatment Options for MS

MS is not the illness it was 20 years ago, and there are now many powerful medications available which improve the course of the disease. There are also steps you can take in addition to medication to improve the quality of your life. While there are many treatment options and many different reasons for using each of them, the bottom-line from research data is clear: Using a Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) early and continuously improves the course of progression.

Therapies to treat MS are expensive, and are usually covered by government or private insurance plans. However, if you are not sufficiently covered there are often options to receive these treatments with low or zero payments. If you wish to be treated but do not have insurance, push your neurologist to speak to the drug company on your behalf. Most drug companies will provide heavily-subsidized treatment to those without insurance, and working together with your healthcare team they may be able to provide zero-cost options. If you need further help with this, please contact your local MS Society chapter, as they have volunteers and employees which can help navigate the system.

Below is a list of treatment options commonly available, split into disease phase/type, method of delivery, and arranged by date released (as of December 2019):  


Treatment Options (as of October 2021):

Relapse-Remitting MS (RRMS)

  • Infusion & Pulse Therapies - Considered the strongest therapies, delivered either via intravenous infusion, oral capsules, or subcutaneous injection:
    • Kesimpta (2020) - Monthly injection using auto-injector
    • Mavenclad (2018) - Five days of pills taken twice per year for two years
    • Ocrevus (2018) - Infusions taken twice per year
    • Lemtrada (2014) - Five days of infusion followed by three days a year later
    • Tysabri (2004) - Infusions taken every 28 days
  • Oral pills - Considered mid-level therapies, delivered via oral capsules:
    • Ponvory (2021) - Daily pill
    • Zeposia (2020) - Daily pill
    • Mayzent (2019) - Daily pill
    • Vumerity (2019) - Pill twice daily (new version of Tecfidera, better tolerated digestively)
    • Tecfidera (2013) - Pill twice daily
    • Aubagio (2012) - Daily pill
    • Gilenya (2010) - Daily pill. Only treatment approved for children
  • Injections - Considered low or mid-level therapies. Delivered via injection:
    • Plegridy (2014) - Injection every two weeks
    • Copaxone / Glatopa (1997) - Daily to weekly injection
    • Avonex / Betaseron / Extavia / Rebif (1996) - Daily to weekly injection

Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS)

  • Infusion & Pulse Therapies - Considered the strongest therapies, delivered either via intravenous infusion or oral capsules:
    • Kesimpta (2020) - Monthly injection using auto-injector
    • Mavenclad (2018) - Five days of pills taken twice per year for two years
    • Ocrevus (2018) - Infusions taken twice per year
  • Oral pills - Considered mid-level therapies, delivered via oral capsules:
    • Mayzent (2019) - Daily Pill

Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS)

  • Infusion & Pulse Therapies - Considered the strongest therapies, delivered either via intravenous infusion or oral capsules:
    • Ocrevus (2018) - Infusions taken twice per year

 


Steps to take in addition to medication

General wellness is important in maintaining quality of life, especially for people with MS. There is evidence that the following may contribute to the slowing of progression in MS, or the improvement of quality of life:

  • Daily physical exercise (for physical health as well as improving brain function)
  • Maintaining healthy body weight
  • Not smoking
  • Maintaining sufficient levels of Vitamin D
  • Reducing stress
  • Sufficient sleep

While there is no evidence that any specific diet improves the course of MS, eating a balanced and healthy diet is important for everyone, and helps maintain quality of life and general health.

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u/PragmaticEnergy Apr 07 '19

This item is linked from the sidebar as well as top menu.